Often times we all fall into the thought process that there isn’t many ways for us to serve when we are busy homemakers, wives and mothers. Our first thought is that extending hospitality requires us to host a dinner party or to go help out with this or that church ministry. Cultivating a hospitable heart does not have to be difficult or complicated, nor does it need to take me far from home, nor does it need to separate me from my family. It simply takes seeing eyes and open ears to observe the needs around you. It takes thoughtful prayer in evaluating who and what might be your own family mission field. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Adopt a nursing home or elderly person in your neighborhood
There are many lonesome elderly people in our time who have been shipped off to the care of some nursing home or facility. They long for friendship, and especially enjoy the presence of children. Consider adopting a nursing home and visit it regularly as a family. Pray for them and love on them. Often times the best way to love on the elderly is being willing to listen to them and hear their story. Do you have elderly folks in your neighborhood? Is there someone in your street, elderly or not, that would appreciate a visit or needs help with shopping? Look for ways to serve them through lawn care, reading to them, etc. The elderly are some of the easiest people to reach out to because they are not intimidating, easy going, and the majority love children.
Sponsor a child
Sponsoring a child through a ministry such as Compassion International, is a simple and practical way you can reach out to a needy child around the world without even leaving your home. It is simple way to show your children that we can care for children in their distress which is very near to the heart of God. Through writing letters, seeing a picture, and praying for the child, your family can labor on behalf of others in a tangible way.
Pray for the world
Participate in various outreaches
There are many simple giving opportunities that provide hands hospitality for people around the world. Collect crocs to send to needy children in Africa through Project Viatu, combine shoe box Christmas gifts for children through Operation Christmas Child, collect blankets for Voice of the Martyrs Blankets for Sudan drive, or collect coats and soup mixes to distribute to the homeless in your city. If you have sewing skills, check out the opportunities to sew blankets and clothes for people in other nations. The list is endless, but the needs are practical.
Giving as you learn the alphabet
Through the inspiration of Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve preschool curriculum, we are having a blast reaching out to others through service and baked goods that correspond with their name. We choose a neighbor and/or friend whose name begins with the letter of the week, and then we bake something yummy or serve in some way that also begins with that letter. We baked applesauce bread for our neighbor Ann, and we baked banana bread for our elderly neighbor Bob, for example. Of course you do not have to have the curriculum to do this as a family, and you could easily just work down a list of co-workers, neighbors, and others in your community to serve on a weekly basis. Baking something is a simple way to love on people and share Christ’s love and hardly is intimidating. And who would refuse a gift when delivered in the hands of a child? And as you deliver your goodies, consider asking them how your family can be praying for them. Include a simple note sharing the purpose of your gift.
Neighbor Gift baskets
Welcome to the neighborhood gift baskets, or seasonal gifts (pumpkin bread for Christmas, focused halloween treats) are a fun way to reach out to others.
You don’t have to do everything listed here, as there is certainly grace for every season, and I am sure you have many more ideas to share…but start with one thing today. Pray together as a family. Get everyone on board. And begin to cultivate a lifestyle of generosity from your doorstep.
I’m just reading this (a little late!), but wanted to let you know that I love it! Thanks for the ideas!
These are all so wonderful; I love the part about giving as you learn the alphabet. What a great way to teach your kids what it means to be truly generous and have a giving spirit.
Thanks for this post Lindsay. It was the final push I needed to reach out to my neighbors! I baked hot cross buns and had my children deliver them to our neighbors with me. I was only going to give them to the neighbors on either side of us, but we were enjoying it, and the buns were so well received that we visited about 10 houses before we ran out of buns! It also led to a good conversation with a neighbor who needs a friend. Thanks again.
Giving as you learn the alphabet is the cutest idea!! I am totally going to link you in my link love. Thank you so much! I love it!
Thank you so much for these ideas. I really like the letter of the week service one. I am always looking for ways to reach out in the community that involve my children. There really is so much we can do to spead the gospel!
Fantastic stuff. Thank you for the reminders and suggestions Lindsay! I, too, am very much enjoying this month’s theme.
God is good!
I really liked the link you posted under “focused Halloween treats”, I love giving out candy for Halloween and have had a hard time finding a tract I liked that was kid friendly and easy to understand. I would often print up a Bible verse. Thanks for sharing this link, it’s great to use for Easter as well and I will definitely use it for Halloween and share the idea with others.
Great post! Thank you
I love doing much of what you mentioned – visiting with the elderly, baking for others, encouraging, ect. But, I have a little problem. I get really shy when it comes to reaching out to people I don’t know well. This makes taking cookies to neighbors or offering to help with yard work (two things I especially like to do) feel very ackward. I think I have had a few experiences where people are skeptical about someone just showing up and giving them something. Unfortunately doing “neighborly” things has become so rare. Any suggestions on how to get past this and serve without getting knots in my stomatch???
Amber, I really identify with you on this. I get very nervous and shy when approaching new people! Some things that can help: Having a prayer or mantra to remind you of your purpose can help you focus on what’s inspiring you rather than your nerves (I sometimes simply tell myself, “remember why you’re doing it”). If it’s possible to reach out via email or a written note, maybe that could help ease you into the communication – maybe even a phone call would be easier than face to face? Do you have a friend who would be interested in the kinds of helping that interest you, who could come along with you? And never forget that those you approach are just people too! I know it may still be easier said than done for us shy people, but it does get easier with practice
Amber, be encouraged. You are not the only one. The majority of us struggle with this very thing – myself included! I’m an introvert all the way. But I have found the more I practice reaching out to others, the more comfortable it becomes. Start small and be consistent and continue to practice it and the Lord will give you grace and boldness as you continue on. Including your kids, and even letting them lead the way, makes it really easy as well. Pray and lay your fears at the master’s feet and he will give you strength to overcome.
Thank you both for the encouragement. I have to tell myself that when God prompts us to act, He will give us the courage. It’s definitely a step of faith. Thankfully my 3 yr. old doesn’t have a shy bone in her body! I’ll have to learn from her:)
YES. We can all be part of loving people like Jesus did. It does take intentionality, but what a great way to raise our kids in loving others in practical ways. I love all the ideas you had here. Thanks for sharing.
http://mamamiamcmasters.blogspot.com/2011/04/living-among-giants-observing-greatness.html
Hey ladies, we will be moving in a few weeks and instead of waiting for a “Welcome Wagon” (does anyone do that anymore?) I was wanting to turn it around and do something for the neighborhood we are moving into…any ideas other than a party type event?
Thanks for any input…
I found that having a housewarming party was the best way that we could begin to reach out in our neighborhood. Handing out invitations a few weeks in advance was the best way to introduce ourselves and then opening our home and serving some simple appetizers was well received. Everybody loves food. It helped establish us so much more effectively in our neighborhood and now we know everyone!
Excellent post. I always want to serve, but neglect to take the time. This was a great reminder and had wonderful ideas.
This was beautiful. I’m so guilty about thinking about all the things like this I want to do with my daughter “someday.” But, if I don’t start laying that foundation now, it’s going to be a lot less likely to happen.
Thank you for sharing this!
I was thinking the same thing, Lacey. When I first read this post I thought about how I would like to do a lot of these things with my son when he is older…but why in the world would I not start right now myself?
Thanks Lindsay for the great post. I am really enjoying this months theme!
what great ideas!!! I LOVE these!!!
All of your suggestions are great! I agree…if you are open and willing to see the opportunities God places in front of you there are lots of ways to be hospitable! When we were first married and only had one car (so I literally stayed home all day every day), one way I found to serve was by making meals for others. I made a meal for a neighbor who had recently had a baby. When one of Tim’s coworker’s father died, I made their family a meal and we dropped it off on a weekend.
Great suggestions!
Great ideas! I had another one I wanted to share with you. My husband and I are career missionaries in Asia; we’ve been in China for one year now and we’re soon to move to Japan for 2. Although we love our jobs, sometimes we get really homesick and lonely being far away from our friends and the familiar tastes/sights/sounds of the U.S. Living abroad is a sacrifice!
But some of the best ways we were able to cope with those days were the days we received mail from our families–both our “real” families and our church family! At Christmas our church sent us lots of Christmas cards reminding us that they were praying for us. On Valentine’s Day the women’s missionary group “adopted” us and sent us a box full of goodies we needed (like school supplies we couldn’t find here) or that we just really, really missed (YUMMY chocolate chip cookies made by a grandmother’s hands!) Other times they sent us devotional material to keep our family strong and sometimes it was just an email of encouragement.
These are all ways that I think any homemaker could be involved in blessing a missionary and being part of their ministry. Cards, homemade goods (check the country; some are strict about what can be imported), home-made crafts, pretty things for the home, school supplies…there are all kinds of things that we appreciate from home! It’s an awesome way to be a part of the mission calling even if you can’t leave home!
Thanks for the reminder. I am going to get that phone card I’ve been thinking about and give an encouraging call to my friends serving in Uganda.
Excellent idea! I have thought of that in the past but forgot to include it in this post, so thanks for sharing! Another area of need is writing to persecuted Christians in prison around the world. Voice of the Martyrs offers lists of addresses. Another way to minister through written words.
Wonderful ideas here! You’re so right to emphasize that charitable gestures do not have to be grand in scale to be meaningful or have an impact. For too long I felt that my limited resources kept me from being able to make any significant contribution to the causes I care about. Recently, however, I found a simple way to give that is within my means, suited to my skills, and very local – providing baked goods to a neighborhood soup kitchen operated by Franciscan Friars (I wrote about it here: http://lifeoflugsy.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/baking-for-others-oatmeal-raisin-walnut-cookies/) – and it really is a joy to do.