During Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season it seems easier to give of ourselves. That time of year yields itself to giving with it’s season of thankfulness, encouraging us to think about our blessings and reaching out to help others by providing gifts of time, money, or requested items. But what happens when the holidays are over…when families go home, there are no more festive parties and it can be brutally cold? Those can be tough months filled with loneliness and need.
That is why the winter months can be great months to Deploy Purposefully by giving back to those around you. What does it look like to Deploy Purposefully through the winter months?
- Help out an older family during snow. Shovel their driveway/walkway for free whenever there is a snowfall or ice storm.
- Help out at a local food shelter. Either donate food by doing a street food drive and personally donate the food. Or, go and stock shelves or distribute food at a food shelter.
- Make a meal for a family. Usually a “make a meal” food drive happens when a family has a newborn or a tragedy strikes. This is similar…but different. This is where you make a random meal for a family in your neighborhood and give it to them for them to enjoy one night. Please note, make sure you give it to them earlier in the day so they don’t prepare a meal for themselves beforehand.
- Warming Kits for Homeless shelters. Collect socks, gloves, scarves, hats, granola bars and other “warm” items for those homeless this winter. You can call the local homeless shelter and find out what the needs are and then start a collection from your neighbors or those in your community to bring to the shelter.
- Babysit for a single parent. Single parents need to get out and be with other adults just as much as anyone. So why not volunteer to babysit their children so they can go out.
These are just some of the ways you can help those in your community this winter.
Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Here’s the challenge: Pick something to do this winter to help those in your community and let your light shine so that they can see Christ this winter.
What do you think? What are you going to do? Share your experiences and/or other ideas for what you can do this winter to help those in your community.