Your Service Matters; What You Do Has Value
Today we honor the men and women who gave their life in service to the United States of America. And rightly so.
They deserve to be remembered.
However, day to day, it can be easy to think we don’t have much to offer in the way of service, especially if we have health issues, are elderly, or have young children. We wonder what value we can be to our community or country.
Everyone’s Service
We may be struggling with pain, be confined to our house, facing seemingly endless days of changing diapers and wiping noses, and feeling like we have little to give to those around you.
Wrong! Some seasons and stations you will have obvious gifts to offer. In others you may struggle to identify any way you can be of service.
But service isn’t reserved for the young and able-bodied. It’s open to all who present with a willing heart.
Service isn't reserved for the young and able-bodied. It's open to all who present with a willing heart. Click To Tweet
We aren’t all called to military service. Yet, no matter our station or season in life, as long as we have breath, we have some way we can serve.
Because when we can help in no other way, you and I can always offer:
Heartfelt prayers.
Personal notes.
Encouraging words.
Welcoming smiles.
Wise advice.
Warm hugs.
No matter our station or season in life, as long as we have breath, we all have some way we can serve. Click To Tweet
Remember
God calls each of us to serve in whatever capacity we are able. To serve in love. To serve humbly. To serve in response to God’s grace.
And He has gifted us for our service.
So today, let’s remember those men and women who have given their lives in serving and defending our country. I want in no way to take away from our observance of their sacrifice.
Our men and women who lost their lives fighting for and defending America, deserve our undying gratitude. They should be duly honored and celebrated.
Yet don’t discount the service you can and do provide to this country, to your community, and to those in your lives.
What you do has value!
What you do in way of service to others has value, no matter how minor it may seem! Click To Tweet
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV
Reflections: Take time to reflect on the sacrifices made to keep America free. Give thanks. Now what form of service are you called to right now, in this season (prayer, encouragement, lending a helpful hand)? What unique gift do you have to share?
Going on 5 years of counting and I’m nearing 5,000 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! Here are numbers #5021–5041. Read my entire list by clicking here.
- Picked a vase full of wildflowers to grace my table; Supper with Daniel; Watching the last game of a hard-fought boys soccer season: proud of the boys’ commitment and heart
- Lovely scent of our highbush cranberry blossoms; A goldfinch greeting me while I sat outside typing; Quiet night home, complete with a picnic supper and reading out loud to Joey and Rach
- Watching a hummingbird in the garage checking out the streamers on Rach’s tricycle; A huge step forward on a project; More fresh wildflowers to grace the house
- Path finally mowed in Rachel’s Pooh Garden; New tomatoes planted to replace the ones that froze; Reading more “Tales of Larkin” to Joey and Rach: fantastic adventure!
- Children either home or living close by for the summer; Zach home for the weekend; Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie: can’t get enough rhubarb!
- Quiet morning for writing; Celebrating more high school graduates; Hearing from Daniel that all is well on his vacation in Montana
- Spending time taming kittens; A read-aloud story so captivating Joey and I find ourselves discussing the coming scene possibilities while gardening; Our rose bush having abundant beautiful blooms
By His grace ≈ Julie
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
Thank you for this timely post. Service to our nation is very dear to a lot of people’s hearts. My husband has a hat with an image of the ship he was on when he was in the Navy. People always stop to tell him ”Thank you for your service.” One time,we were at a restuarant and a woman asked me if she could hug him, all because of his being a veteran.