Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Give Thanks for the Opportunity to Serve


I am thankful for... the Opportunity to Serve Others

To serve others demands selflessness and sacrifice. So how can it be something to be thankful for? Do we really want to put the needs of others before our own? In most cases, we honestly do not. We may even become agitated when our goals are blocked or when we have to change our plans to accommodate someone else’s need. This has happened to all of us. We give our time, attention, resources, whatever is needed of us, and we are not too happy about it. What I learned recently is that this is not only a sacrifice, but it is an opportunity to serve. After reading a story about a man who spent much of his life serving, I pondered on his life and his words. He said that his purpose for living was to serve. Serving people was his privilege and calling. It filled his life with purpose and meaning. Being a very spiritually-minded man, he had his mind and heart set on things above, things eternal. His treasure was in heaven and he found no greater joy. The more I thought about this, the more convicted I became. I am thankful to have come across this man’s testimony. It caused me to reflect and repent. What became so much more important to me than serving? Why was it difficult for me to accept my present station in life? Maybe it is because my focus became self-centered causing me to temporarily forget what really matters and the joy in giving and serving from the heart. I believe there is no greater purpose in living than to serve others and our God. It only becomes a dreaded chore or burden when we do it grudgingly. It is my prayer that I serve with a willing, obedient, and cheerful heart that is full of gratitude. It is then that I truly fulfill my purpose and calling. I am very thankful for the many opportunities I am given every day to serve my God and others.

Happiness... consists in giving and in serving others. ~Henry Drummond

It is the love that we give and the service we render that really is the great payoff. ~David B. Haight


c 2010 Krystal Kuehn, BeHappy4Life.com, NewDayCounseling.org

Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family and couples counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & inspiration, and Baby-Poems.com, where you will find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes & cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy!

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