HOW CAN WE SERVE?

Here is a guest post I did for Candace Cameron Bure’s blog Practically Speaking in 2013. I think serving is one of the best ways God teaches us strength.
How Can I Serve?

June 10th, 2013 by Candace Cameron Bure / Guest Post

Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated Memorial Day, giving thanks and remembrance to all who’ve served us through our military. Let us not forgot that service continues each and every day and comes in many different forms. Today’s guest post is by author CN Bring.

Enjoy! -Candace

Do you ever feel like you wish you could do more to be a positive influence in the world? Chaos seems to be more prevalent every day. Sometimes it’s easier to lock ourselves away in our own world and shut out the mayhem. How can we make a difference when everything seems to be a mess?

Many of us get up in the morning, get the kids ready for the day and head off to work, school or errands. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the laundry list of busy work and only 24 hours in the day. What if that was all stripped away? What if you were called up to drop everything and leave everyone behind? Military service provides a certain clarity on when it comes to priorities and family values. We should all use this same “what if” logic in everyday decision-making and social interaction.

I write military mysteries and I also have a page on my website called CN Salutes where I interview those who serve and have served our country. I find myself in awe of every selfless story. Soldiers leave everything to protect all that we stand for as “One nation under God”. While soldiers are over there they have families here serving on the home front. Those families sacrifice being with their loved one. They share their family with the entire nation. That’s service! I am proud to say I have family who have served and currently serve in the military. One thing you learn in the military is to always put others first. I have been blessed by their example and this is what I’ve learned.

The truth is everyone has a responsibility to serve. Whether it’s an older neighbor who needs help with groceries, or helping in your child’s class room, to teaching Sunday School. These are just a few ways we can all make a difference. There are small wars here at home that communities must band together and fight to make the world a better place.

We all have gifts given by God that make each of us unique and necessary to the world around us. There are many ways we can be an example to our peers and minister to others daily. When you feel compelled to help fill a need, you are being driven to serve. It’s your responsibility. Serving others is what gives us purpose and direction.

My responsibility began when I accepted Jesus in my heart at the age of eight at Vacation Bible School and began my relationship with God. I chose to serve Him and live my life as an example of His love. Later I was called to serve once again when I began to share my life with my husband, and with him, be an example to our four children. Today I believe I am called to serve as an example of faith through my work in The Celia Kelly Series, because deep inside of everyone there is a hero.

You may think that your life is mundane and there is nothing you can do. No matter what your job or what walk of life you come from, it is your responsibility to serve others in some way and make a difference. We are connected to too many people to be completely self-involved. Always remember this: EVERYONE IS WATCHING! When someone looks at you, do they see an example of honor and compassion? Do they see a person of service?

Serve by making a difference one life at a time! You can be somebody’s hero!

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.  We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” –Mother Teresa

To learn more about CN Bring and her military novels, check out her website or click on the photo to purchase her books.