I try to remember that even though it’s great to serve those in the community, there are also those within my own family that are struggling. It’s not always easy to serve if it’s a family member that has made unwise choices or when it’s someone who has hurt or openly mocked us. But those are the opportunities that often have the biggest impact on you and your kids.
I’ve tried to teach my children that the Lord has placed us in our family, in our church, in our circle of influence for a reason, and I’ve tried to minister to those people as He lays them on my heart. It’s great to serve in your community, but it’s important to remember that sometimes we need to lift up our fellow believers too. Try these ideas:
- Take fresh baked cookies and a greeting card to a friend who needs encouragement
- Treat a single mom to a meal
- Mow the lawn for your neighbor who had recent surgery
- Sit with a friend who just learned her husband has cancer
- Drive your elderly grandparents to the store so they can buy groceries.
Opportunities are everywhere. We only need to take the time to see them.
Submitted by Tonya Prater. Tonya is a wife and mom of three teens that travels often as a family and shares her experiences at The Traveling Praters, her family travel blog.
Love to serve with your kids? Do you have a favorite service/ministry project that your family does together? We’re featuring your service ideas for a summer of giving back. Submit a short guest post in our easy form HERE.
See all the great ideas for Summer Acts of Service on Faithful Provisions.
I heard a pastor or two recently suggesting taking time each morning to pray through your neighborhood – asking for opportunities to speak or be a witness to the non-believers and lifting up fellow believers and their children. I’ve been asking God for opportunities of service in our neighborhood, and also that when He provides the opportunities that He will provide us and the other believers on our street with the boldness and willingness to pursue them. It’s really neat to see the doors He’s opening.