Confession: I DO NOT volunteer in the nursery or Sunday school classes at my church. {GASP!} I found out through trial and error that at this phase of life it's not my cup of tea. Now, don't go quitting your volunteer positions after reading this post, but I do want to challenge you to think outside the"norm" of how we can help those around us. I think we all have hobbies that we love and often times we don't think of those abilities as unique, God-given gifts. Maybe you knit, scrapbook, paint, read, etc. All of those things you love can be used for others! Knit super-cute baby accessories for a pregnancy center, create mini scrapbooks that a nursing home can offer to residents that don't get visited often, offer to help a single mom paint her master bedroom, volunteer to read at a library or preschool… My point is this… use what you love to bless others. It's doubly rewarding. I've had an amazing example in my life… My Mom. She is a volunteer at the Bucks County Women's Recovery Center in New Britain (BCWRC). She is passionate about helping the women at the center turn their lives around, and even more passionate about introducing them to the Lord. She's started a Bible study through the WRC and so many women's lives have been changed. I visited the center once a few years ago and left feeling really sad.
The house that the women live in wasn't a place that would make these precious ladies feel important, treasured, and valuable. Many of the rooms didn't have anything on the walls, all the furniture was donated and mismatched. The wheels started turning… I was just wrapping up my homestaging business and had TONS of accessories, artwork, and decor. Last spring a team of wonderful friends helped and we did room transformations in six rooms at the WRC.
Last weekend we did a mini phase two for the project because there were two additional rooms that needed some TLC. This basement room wasn't being used at all
Really, who would want to spend time down here with it looking like this?
Stark white walls
It was screaming"Help!"
Thanks to my wonderful husband, our friend Mark, and other volunteers, we painted all night on Friday night… that red wood was not easy to paint, and took a bit more time than I anticipated, but the end results were great!
Saturday, Jess was able to come and help decorate and accessorize the space. We really liked this vinyl phrase because the WRC has many guests reside there, but hopefully they leave with a brighter future and support from new friends.
All the furniture was donated, but worked great- My mom is amazing at finding people willing to help and share.
Much warmer space that the ladies will actually use!
We created the HOPE artwork that will actually match the new accent pillows that we have being custom made for us. It was awesome to be able to do a fun craft project that will encourage those that see it.
So, how have you used your hobbies or talents to help others? If you've never associated your hobbies with blessing others, well, now is the time!
