Weekend 28 Ways, 28 Days

February 7: Nursing Home Day

Many folks in a nursing home don't receive visitors.
Take some time to go talk to them, listen to them. They older generations have so much to share with us.
Call ahead and see what you can help with.
Make cards to send to them, they would appreciate a kind and uplifting note.
Take flowers, balloons, cookies, etc...(check with nursing staff for any dietary restrictions)

February 8: Police/Fire/Rescue/Military Appreciation Day
Often, we overlook the people that look after us!
Take time today to thank you local police officers, firefighters, and service men and women.
Visit your local station to learn about how you can help your local police do a better job.
Sign up for making a homemade meal for the fire station one night a week or month.
Soldiers appreciate cards of thanks for their service and need support when they have returned from service abroad. Check with your local National Guard to see what kind of volunteer and/or donation opportunities are available for you.

Busyness Is Not a Destination

I began a new women's study group last night.  Our leader brought up how we get so busy.  We all agreed.  Then she brought up how the majority of the miracles Jesus performed would not have taken place if he would have lived at our pace.  He would have been too busy.  He wouldn't have felt the woman touch his robe, as she longed to be healed.  He would have just kept rushing through the crowd, going about his own business.  Instead, he stopped, looked at her, cared for her, and healed her.  

How often do we rush by someone who is bleeding, whether figuratively or physically, because we are too busy?  We have schedules to keep, things to do, Facebook to check.  

How often are we the ones who need healing, who need to just stop and rest, rest at our Savior's feet, but we don't create a pause, white space, time in our schedule to be still, rest, and get restored?  We keep running and running, until we fall down exhausted.  Sometimes we are truly very busy.  Sometimes, we stay busy to avoid the hurt, the problems, the grief in our lives because if we stay busy, we don't have to think about it, or deal with it, we just keep running.  Exhausted.  Empty.  Yet, we run.  

I am just as guilty of this at times in my life as anyone.  I have been running at a pretty high pace lately with work, family events, basketball games, life in general.  I realized last week how fast I have been going, and have taken a couple days to intentionally slow down, rest, disconnect from social media.  

If we did an honest evaluation of our time, many of us would see we spend much too much time on social media, whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or playing games, we spend too much time there, often longing to connect with someone.  What if we took that time and called someone on the phone and made plans to meet at a coffee shop or go to lunch or for a walk, and found out how that person is doing face to face?  We long for community, but true community cannot be found online.  True community means being intentional, intentionally being with people face to face in a real relationship.  Real relationships are messy, but they are also beautiful.  When is the last time you took a couple hours and sat with someone and spoke to them in person?  

We all need to pause, we all need community.  We need to not be so busy that we miss those who are reaching out to us, who need an encouraging word, who need someone just to notice them.  

Each of us needs to intentionally create downtime in our schedules.  Time to be quiet, to read, to rest, to pray, to listen.  

What will you eliminate that is not so important, to slow down?  What will you do to connect face to face with someone and truly care about them?  Can you walk away from social media for the weekend and connect with real people, connect with yourself, connect with your Creator?  

Make A Difference

Help someone out today, in some way.  

You could help them with yard work, make them some cookies, watch their children, 

but mostly just listen, 

be compassionate, and be available.  

Do You Need A Course Adjustment?

What  have you done to reach out and help someone today?  How about in the past week?  If you can't answer, it may be time to make some adjustments in your life. 

Life is about helping others, giving, and caring about others.  

Don't let the hardness of some people's hearts keep you from being kind, compassionate, and giving.  Model kindness and love to others, stand out, stand up, and show you care.

Take time to look in people's eyes, listen to their story, and stop long enough to care. You can make a difference if you look around, be aware, and do something to change the world for the better.  It truly does matter.