Today's Bliss: Service

Our church is a weekly site of feeding, housing, healing, and entertaining for homeless men. Every Friday night a diverse group of twelve men enter our doors for a hot meal, a warm bed, some friendly conversation, a movie marathon, and a dose of love. N and I are regular helpers for the ministry, lending a hand when we are able. Last night we had the unique experience of serving alongside my parents. They joined us for the evening, helping to feed the men...then N and my Dad stayed the night with the men as hosts. It was a very uplifting experience and it made me feel like we were doing something right.

Hearing one of the stories that was shared during the evening made me remember that the pain we all carry is a burden, challenging us to focus on love, focus on forgiveness, and focus on the light that Jesus is for us all. Some people have stories that really make you stop and think: how did you overcome all that you have had in your path? I look at my blessed, blissful life and I am so grateful for a wonderful family. For parents to serve alongside. For love that I have never had to beg for or earn. Struggling, hurting people are everywhere and something as simple as a backpack for a homeless man that needs some help carrying his few belongings can make a huge difference in his life.

One of the main things that we see Jesus do throughout the New Testament is serve. He heals, teaches, guides, provides, and helps all of the people who need it. He was never worried about himself; only others. His ultimate act of service was dying so that we could live. So that we can live and help people who need it. So that we can show love to the hurting, suffering people that he has placed in our path. Acts big and small can change the world and can help people see that even in the darkest day there is hope. There is a Father who can save them and heal their hurting hearts. There are people who care about them and want them to succeed. There are places to turn to for help.

God has gently reminded me of a way to truly find bliss. Love your neighbor (Luke 10:27) and serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13).

Today's Bliss: Room In The Inn

Tonight, N is sleeping on our church's gym floor. He'll probably only sleep an hour or two, then get up at 4:00am to clean bathrooms, move mattresses, tidy the kitchen, and mop floors. Our church is a Room in the Inn host. Every Friday night, we host 12 men who have no where else to go. Some of them wait for hours outdoors in a line for the opportunity to eat a hot meal and sleep in a warm place. I helped with food service, but N is giving up a night of sleep...that is a big sacrifice to serve a fellow man in need.

With Christmas upon us, thinking of just the phrase "room in the inn" makes me stop and think. Mary and Joseph needed room so that Jesus could be born...and they never found it. Well, they found a stable, but that was hardly sufficient for childbirth and caring for a newborn!

Here I am with many material blessings, a warm home, bountiful foods that I like to eat, a job, a loving family to help me when I ask them to...I could go on and on! Surely, we all have some "room in the inn" to offer to people who are hurting. Maybe I don't open up my front door to people, but I can pass on some bliss and some blessings by helping out a brother who needs a sack lunch. Maybe I don't offer counseling, but I can lend a listening ear. Maybe I skip a night of washing my own dishes to wipe tables and clean plates.

I have a lot of "room" in my life to give to others. Sometimes I excel at this; other times I don't. In 2012, may we all ensure that we focus on offering love, hope, and grace to people who need it.