Tag: serving

What’s Your Funnest, Best Day?

Our five-year-old grandson walked into his parents’ home and announced, “I had the funnest, best day in my whole life and whole world!” 

His sleep-deprived mom and dad sat on the couch with their newborn infant. They smiled to acknowledge their son’s excitement, noting the new monster truck in his hands.

Our grandson continued in a rhythmic tone.

“We went to the store. We got my monster truck. We had ice cream. We went to the park. It was the funnest, best day in….” 

“That does sound fun,” our daughter replied. But when she looked at us, her raised brow said, “You’re spoiling him.” 

No argument there.

My husband and I had been in their home for ten days to help with meals, errands, and their five-year-old son who’d become a big brother.  But as I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, I wondered if our “help” would make their lives more uncomfortable after my husband and I returned home. 

Our grandson would miss his fun grandparents all the more if we made every day feel like “Fun-Dar-Land.” 

Also, returning to his daily routine would seem like an “Aftershock” because his parents don’t have the same freedom to make every day feel like “the funnest, best day in his whole life and whole world.” 

Nor should they!

Spoiling is another word for overindulging which is the last thing we need to teach our kids in a self-centered world.

As I diced carrots, our grandson played with his toy cars. “Eee Ooo Eee Ooo. Vroom Vroom.” 

We’d had a fun day with our grandson. We’d laughed, ran, played in the sand with his monster trucks. But did I want fun memories to be the end goal?  

Quality time with our grandson is limited. So I want our memories worth remembering. To leave an enduring impression that outlasts a plastic monster truck.

Along with the fun, I hope he remembers—

Bringing Mommy flowers in her hospital room. Helping Grandpa make Brownies for my birthday. Bringing Papa wood for the outdoor fire pit. Helping Grandma carry books to the library. Singing to Baby Sister when she cried.

I hope our grandson enjoys his childhood. But I pray he’ll discover:

Helping other people can also be “the funnest, best day in our whole life and whole world.”

Even in this … overindulgent world.

“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 NLT

Photos: My own

Put on the Oxygen Mask

By Saturday morning, I was tapped out.

All week, I had been with people. Serving some. Listening to others vent. Now I needed to visit jail for one-on-one counseling, but I had nothing left to give.

My head pounded. My body was like a limp rag. How can I share the gospel when I can barely remember my name? I had to reschedule.

Too often, helping humanity seems more exhausting than yard work or housework. My back may ache as I pull weeds or push a mop, but I’m on autopilot. At the end of the task, I feel productive, even energized.

When it comes to people, particularly listening to their problems, I’m drained. That’s because I absorb people’s moods like a sponge. Think I can fix them. Fall back into people pleasing.

“You’re an answer to prayer,” someone told me, after I resolved her problem. Now I have the problem.

Practically speaking, I must:

Set boundaries

Stop rescuing

Say NO…without guilt.

Spiritually speaking, I must:

Meditate on the Word

Ask for Wisdom

Obey God’s Will 

   In Mark 1: 21-38, Jesus spent the day in Capernaum healing many people with various diseases, and casting out demons. Verse 33 says “the whole city had gathered at the door.” So how did Jesus avoid burn out?

 Verse 35:  “And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out to a lonely place, and was praying there.” 

Simon hunts for Jesus and says, “everyone is looking for you.” But prayer was a priority. Jesus understood His purpose (verse 38) and wasn’t going to be derailed by everyone’s demands.

If Jesus, in his humanity, had to pray and seek the Father’s will, then I must:

  • Have the mind of Christ so I can…
  • Have a sacrificial servant’s heart so I can…
  • Have His love and strength to help others without sabotaging myself. 

Bottom line, I must:

Remember prayer gives me a right perspective so I can respond properly to my relationships and problems. 

In other words, “Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.”

And take a deep spiritual breath.