“It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Ephesians 2:10 LB
As Christians, we are called to serve others. What better way to spread God’s light than to give to the needy and care for the brokenhearted.
1. Start a card ministry.
Few people can resist the excitement and anticipation that comes with receiving a hand-written envelope and card in the mail. That’s because the sharing of a greeting card opens a little window of hope in a person’s heart — both of the sender and the receiver.
2. Send a care package.
Mail care packages to deployed soldiers, new college students, or maybe to someone you know who is fighting off the flu. Fill a tote bag with treats and goodies as well as inspirational tools to encourage them to lean on God as they face their struggles.
3. Donate children's books to your local shelter.
Many times, children who end up at homeless shelters or domestic violence centers have very little in their pockets, and very little in their hearts. What better way to share God’s love with them than through a Christian children’s book that shares the amazing hope and peace that God has for them.
4. Become a volunteer tutor.
Volunteer for a local mentoring/tutoring program. Helping a young student learn to read and write can make all the difference in the world to that child’s life and future. This service allows you to build a bond, which opens doors for you to share the love of Christ through pencils, notebooks, school supplies, and maybe even some deep afternoon discussions.
5. Hold a bake sale for your favorite charity.
Love to bake? Ask your like-minded friends to join you for an afternoon of flour, sugar and fellowship. Organizing a bake a sale can be fun, and this time when you’re done perfecting your beautiful masterpiece, knowing that you just supported a very worthy cause.
6. Hand out water.
Regardless of the time of year, dehydration is a common problem among the homeless. Share God’s love and hope with the less fortunate by simply attaching Scripture to water bottles and handing it out anywhere, even to strangers.
7. Deliver food to elderly friends.
Good nutrition is essential to maintaining a person’s health and overall well-being. Why not make an extra plate, put it in inspirational paper bakeware, and take it to someone you know who could use a meal?
8. Assemble a new parents kit.
Create kits to encourage new parents and leave them at your local hospital. You could fill it with items that most new parents might not think of when packing their overnight bag, such as baby blankets, booties, hand wash, onesies, saline spray drops, a new set of warm-ups for Mom, mugs filled with chocolate bars, encouraging new parent resources, teethers, baby’s first Bible, and lots and lots of coffee.
By Gini @ DaySpring
