Service

Service

For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others.

Mark 10:45

I presently serve as a deaconess for my church. We have fifteen women who pray, prepare the bread and juice for Communion, plan funeral luncheons, help disperse the Care and Share fund, write notes to encourage people in the congregation, organize baptisms, visit the shut-ins of our church, and arrange meals, rides, and child care for those who need our help. Please don’t picture us as a group of old ladies with buns in our hair. We’re much more spry than that. We often wear jeans, we have some good laughs, and we sip root-beer floats during committee reports.

At our meeting last night, one of our deaconesses gave us a new idea. Susan told us that she had taken her fifteen-year-old son, Andrew, along to visit an older woman in the congregation. Because I’m aware of Andrew’s handsome smile and pleasant personality, I’m sure that his presence brought extra sparkle to the visit. Susan enjoyed sharing the experience with Andrew, and they were both reminded of the joy that comes from serving others. She encouraged the rest of us to consider taking our children on occasional visits too.

As we work side by side in the body of Christ, showing care and concern for others to the same degree that we would want to be cared for, we experience unity—and joy! What an enriching experience it is for me to serve alongside women who are looking not to be served, but, like Christ, to serve others.

Father,

Thanks for the privilege of serving you. You have done so much for us through Christ, and we are grateful. Help us to look for ways to involve our children in serving you as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.