Tag Archives: make a difference

Many Hands

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A decaying garage, piles of trash, and unruly trees towered over our team. After a long day of traveling by bus, we were eager to get to work, but this was a daunting task. We only had four days to get the job done.

A sweet man with a gray and white beard greeted us. He studied my husband and me and our small team of twelve teens. “I appreciate any help you can give, even if you can’t tear the whole garage down.”

We peaked inside the garage. It was full of rusted tools, broken lamps, discarded cook books, a guinea pig cage, and other forgotten items. Our new friend didn’t want to keep any of it. The dumpster hadn’t arrived yet, so we piled everything into a heap beside the garage. The teens all took turns pounding on the walls with sledge hammers, breaking off siding. Before we knew it, the garage tumbled to the ground.

Once the dumpster arrived, our team worked together to pull apart the garage and toss the wood, shingles, and discarded objects inside. We worked through a rain storm and ignored sore muscles. After less than two days, the garage was gone. The trash was gone. The trees were chopped. We were able to do bonus assignments on other houses in the neighborhood.

Our group of fourteen easily completed a task that was overwhelming for our friend. And get this—we actually had 102 teens and adults just from our church serving throughout the neighborhood at the same time. It gets even better. We were just a small part of One Heart Many Hands (https://oneheartmanyhands.com/). There were actually over 1,500 people serving in Indianapolis that week. Talk about making a difference!

One lesson I learned through it all, is that we don’t have to do it alone. Sometimes our journey through life will seem overwhelming, but we can lift each other up. An impossible situation can become manageable with the help of others. It’s okay to ask for help, and it feels wonderful to help people in need.

The teens from our group watched High School Musical on the drive home. Many of us groaned when it started playing, yet sat and watched it all. Now I have the lyrics from the final song stuck in my head: we’re all in this together.

So bring it on. With many hands, we can get it done.

30 Ways to Focus on Others

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helping-others-cartoon-pic

Sometimes ways to help others just occur naturally. If I see a lady juggling a baby, a diaper bag, and a fussy toddler and she’s approaching a door, I will instinctively open the door for her. I remember what it was like to wish I had three hands. Maybe you do, too.

There are times, however, when I want to keep my eyes off myself, but I just don’t have ideas bubbling through my brain on how to make a positive difference. I may not always have the time or the resources to go on a mission trip to Africa, but I can always offer a bit of sunshine. I decided that a list might inspire me when I’m stumped for ideas. Maybe the list will inspire you as well.

  1. Find someone at work or school who looks lonely and talk to them.
  2. If you’re sitting waiting your turn to eat at a restaurant, give your seat to someone else.
  3. Compliment someone.
  4. Give someone a hug.
  5. Contact someone who you haven’t reached in years.
  6. Let a car enter in front of your car.
  7. Pick up litter during your walk.
  8. Offer your change to someone who comes up short in the check-out line.
  9. Volunteer at a charity.
  10. Actively listen to someone, even if they are talking for a long time.
  11. Donate blood.
  12. Try to grow extra in your garden so you can give some fresh food away.
  13. Assist someone who looks lost.
  14. Donate clothing or other items to a charity.
  15. Visit someone who lives alone.
  16. Mow someone’s yard.
  17. Shovel the snow out of someone’s driveway.
  18. Give a family member breakfast in bed.
  19. Bake a treat for a neighbor or a friend.
  20. Forgive anyone who has wronged you.
  21. Do a chore you don’t normally do.
  22. Make an extra effort to orient and include someone new.
  23. Send an encouraging text, email, or letter.
  24. Remember to wish someone happy birthday on time.
  25. Thank service men for their sacrifice.
  26. Clean up after yourself.
  27. Use any resources you have to help someone find a job.
  28. Call someone by name.
  29. Include everyone in the room.
  30. Smile.

Simple ideas really, but they can get your ideas flowing. Now it’s time to work in my garden so I have veggies to share. If only the squirrels and rabbits understood that I can’t share with other people if they eat everything.