Yesterday morning we got up bright and early, it wasn't easy. I am most definitely not a morning person in the least, so getting up anytime before 8 is hard for me. I have to say though that it was completely worth it!
I hopped out of my warm bed thinking I could always take a nap later and that this was important. I went and grabbed clothes for the kids and dressed them while they lay in bed not wanting to get up (with the exception of Gia). Finally coaxed Steve out of bed, he got dressed we grabbed a couple nutrigrain bars for all of us, jumped in the car and headed to the church.
We met up with about another 245 that had also put aside their desires to stay in bed a little longer on a Saturday morning to come be a part of second Saturday.
From the church we headed to a park here in Albuquerque to serve food to the homeless. It was such a wake up call and I really wish I would have brought my camera. Seeing so many people there, made so many things that I had worried about this past week seem so insignificant. One of our friends Amber got out of her car with some blankets she had bought to hand out and was immediately approached by some people asking if they could have them. It broke my heart.
Amber and I made I don't know how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for sack lunches, while our husbands and kids served the warm meals that had been prepared. I wish I could have taken a picture of all these adults serving food and these three kids barely tall enough to see over the pans on the table, with gloves on too big for their little hands asking people if they wanted some corn bread and handing it out. They didn't ever complain that they were bored or ask to go home. I was so glad that we had decided to come and serve as a family. I would give up sleep for this any day.
I think we are going to continue to head down to the park a couple Saturdays a month to help out. I want my kids to grow up knowing how blessed we are by the simple things that we all too often take for granted everyday like a warm bed and a choice of cereal for breakfast.
I desire to have a servants heart, to continually serve those around me and in my life. To not get wrapped up in the selfish and greed that has become such a stronghold in this country. It is so easy to get hooked on keeping up with the Joneses, to want the latest stuff, bigger houses, with closets the size of a bedroom, cars that have better sound systems than movie theaters, purses that cost more than some people make in a year.
Last night at church Todd's message spoke a lot about serving. It was inspiring as always. Check out the podcast it should be up tomorrow or Tuesday.
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3 comments:
Hi Steve and Maria,
After seeing all of the pictures on Steve's cubicle wall (in Bremerton), awesome to see you guys started a photography buisness.
What a great post! I love that high you get after giving, and it sounds like you got a really good high! Thank you for being so generous!
What an awesome thing to have your kids involved in Maria!! It sure puts things in perspecive.
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