"Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small things, every day deeds of ordinary fork that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love."
Gandalf the Gray
The Hobbit
When Greg and I were first married and had no children, I remember complaining to him one night about how busy I was after someone had contacted me to help someone with something. At the time I was working full time and had what I thought was a full plate. After listening for awhile he said something that has always stuck with me. He said to me (in a very nice way), "You can never play the 'busy' card." I was a bit taken aback and asked him why. He then went onto explain that EVERYONE is busy. No matter if they really are or not, if what they have on their plate seems less then what's on yours, in everyone's mind, they are busy.
I have taken his advice to heart and tried to really apply it in my life. Life really only seems to become busy when we are asked to do things for others that we don't really want to do. I rarely find it hard to be busy when there is something fun to do. Because here's the secret about service, it's rarely ever convenient or fun. BUT, I have also realized that I have never been left lacking or wanting for more time or a missed opportunity that didn't happen because I was serving someone else. I have never thought to myself, "Man, I am so glad I didn't make such and such family a dinner so that I could lie here on the couch and watch my favorite show!" If that's why you're "busy" it's never going to end well for you.
Now, I will argue that there are genuine busy "moments" in people's lives. An example would be, if I have a day packed with appointments and things to do and someone calls to ask if I'll watch their kids. I will most likely tell them no because in that moment, I truly am busy. The "busy" I talk about here is the convenient blanket we sometimes like to drape over ourselves to protect us from anything unwanted entering our lives. We use it to block people out, but the truth is it really ends up blocking people from getting in. And a life without people getting in is a sad and lonely place to be.
Here is the greatest secret of all about service. It's all about YOU! When the Lord talks about service He NEVER talks about being on the receiving end. It is all about the giver because He's concerned about YOU, and He knows that for YOU to be happy, for YOU to get to where YOU need to be, YOU have to give to others and YOU have to give much.
I have seen many a people who ask for a great amount of service. I don't think there is anything wrong in that if it is truly needed. The problem lies when they only ask for service, yet never want to give it back when asked in return. There is no greater hole in the proverbial bucket of your life than to be only a taker. If you want to fill your life with peace, happiness, and love for all, the balance between giving and taking needs to be reached.
We all will need service in our lives at some point. I have been truly grateful for all the service shown to me over the last few months as our family makes this transition into a new home. For someone who is slow to ask for help, it has been a reminder to me that people do care, that I do matter to others, and it has made me want to serve and give more freely then I have in the past. It has made me see that the real "Busy" card we should all be playing is the one that is filled with helping and serving those around us. We can always do something. We can always serve. We can always bless. And in turn, we will receive the greatest blessings of all.
Have a great weekend!
Spiritual Uplift HERE
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