Providing Service to Your Community

Today I attended a luncheon on the opportunities to be involved in service. I hadn't planned to attend. I was actually at my church to meet with our organist. She will be moving in a few months. I don't play the organ, I play the piano. Now I have been asked to learn how to play the organ so the congregation will have a replacement after she moves. Anywhoooo.... I decided to stay for the luncheon. The smell of food was calling me. And heck, I was there anyway - without children!

The keynote speaker was the town mayor. He is a wonderful person. I know him personally, as we attend the same church. I sat next to another mom, who has eight children. Between the two of us, we have a total of 17 children in our home. My friend asked the speaker, "What can we do to provide service to our community when I have eight children at home?" As she asked this, I was thinking the same question. I was thinking that I'm not involved with any community service groups. Where could I find the time? Should I feel guilty?

Our wise mayor answered "Community service starts in your own homes, with your own family." He went on to give the idea that when you have a good handle on your home, you can move on to the next step - being involved in your HOA, school committees, town committees, etc.
As I sat listening to the discussion, I realized that I was reassured that I'm doing the best kind of service; service to my family. I even got a little choked up.

I have the best mother anyone could ever ask for. She left this world last summer. I've never thought about it until this evening, but I never remember her being involved in PTA, she wasn't on the town council, she wasn't on a board of directors, she wasn't on any committees (except the church women's organization). But she was there every day. I remember calling her at the last minute and telling her I signed up to bring brownies to school, and forgot to tell her. She was there. I remember going to a Centennial celebration, and having a beautifully fancy, old-fashioned dress that she had sewn specially for the occasion. She was there. I remember her waiting up until 2am for my high school friends and I to get out of the midnight movie - and she would have nachos and ice cream ready to snack on. Boy was she there! And I was child #6, and she continued to do the same for my younger two sisters. That's service.


What a good reminder I had today;
All women, whatever their situations, can perform service in their homes. We can prayerfully and quietly ask the Lord where I am really needed and then serve quietly.

Monday I will not be picking up an application to be on our town water committee, or the next PTA president (been there, done that!). But I will be teaching preschoolers about colors and letters. I will be washing clothes and floors. I will be attending a foster child's staff meeting.

For now, in this stage of my life, Motherhood is my greatest service. 

My sweet Mom