“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Inspiration: Happily In Service…
Recently, I connected with a group of bloggers committed to addressing issues of poverty in a compassionate way. Each month, a topic is shared to write on and contemplate. This month, the topic is about Service and the questions: Which bible verse guides you to serve others? What led you to become a Compassion Blogger?
I grew up a Catholic home and from an early age, I was made aware, first by my parents and then by the nuns in school, that service to others and the sharing of alms were an important part of being a Christian. My parents were always participating in fund raisers and giving donations to help distant relatives and other people in need. I remember that we often had guests at home who came specifically to thank my dad for helping them in some fashion. They thanked him profusely, singing praises in his name and showering us with blessings. So the idea of service was inculcated in me quite early and remains a vital part of my life. I remain happily in service to the groups I support by regularly volunteering time and skills.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
Inspiration: Happily In Service… Compassion bloggers serving in Tanzania
My family came from a culture that believed in the value of helping extended family members and sharing our largess with gratitude. It also meant tithing at church and volunteering. The nuns at school were always saying “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and in time, it became a favorite verse of mine. The other verses I’ve shared here resonated with me because they are reminders that we all have gifts and skills that we can use to help uplift others.
In school and in catechism, we learned that charity and service were requirements for being a good person of faith, and we read stories that reinforced the message. Our daily prayers included portions on serving the poor, and when possible, The Story of the Good Samaritan was read and explained over and over again. Looking back on the experiences of my childhood, it makes sense that being a compassionate blogger would appeal to me.
One major event in my life that solidified the importance of service for me was the civil war. The war forced us to flee the city and appreciate the time spent in my father’s village during the Nigeria-Biafra war. Dad’s village was deep in the interior part of the countryside and this meant that many displaced families ended up there. It was their last stop as refugees and, by the time they reached us, most were destitute and quite distraught. Because the wartime struggles affected many families, everyone had to learn to share limited resources. Being able to serve gave us a sense of purpose and people readily shared their crops and their homes. Being hospitable to the refugees around us led to life long friendships that continued long after the war ended. More below!
