Warm Connections {Day 14}: Learning to Give to Those in Need

Sandy Coughlin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:01:32 +0000

My friend reached out and asked if I’d come to the Gospel Mission with her to serve the men. At first I was reluctant to give 3 hours of my time, but I’m glad I said yes. I have to admit I can be overprotective of my time. The “B” word pops up almost daily in my life.

I’m just too busy.

Michelle is a bigger-than-life person who connects with everyone, no matter the circumstances. She’s not hesitant to dive in and serve, and the lesson I learned on this day was very simple.

Learning to give to those in need starts with your heart. Be willing to do something for someone else.

Learning to give to those in need involves willing hands. Be willing to give of your time, even when you don’t think you have the time.

Learning to give to those in need requires humility. Be willing to see others as God would see them.

I made myself look into the eyes of these men coming through the line for their food, just like Michelle did. Some men came with their families, some came alone, some came through the line with their friend by their side. Some made eye contact, others looked down.

It was about making others feel comfortable in a not-so-comfortable situation, about asking a simple question, How are you today? By filling the plates with nourishment and love.

I need to think more about contribution and less about my comfort.

Warmer connections come when we stop and give of our time, hearts, and hands.

Do you struggle with the “busy” word like I do?

The post Warm Connections {Day 14}: Learning to Give to Those in Need appeared first on Reluctant Entertainer.

31 Days of Warm Connections

Sandy Coughlin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:03:18 +0000

I want to thank my friend, Nester, for inspiring a whole bunch of bloggers to write about their passions in the month of October. Last year I wrote 31 posts on Stress-Free Entertaining.

This year my 31-Day inspiration is to write about “warmer connections.” Think about what these words mean to you … yummy smells, giving, sharing, connecting, growing, traditions, nature, warmth, relationships. We’re drawn in and we don’t want to miss out, but sometimes it’s hard to get there … to enjoy those warmer connections in our lives.

October is an inspiring month. We settle into Fall and start to look forward to the holidays. In Oregon our weather is absolutely stunningly beautiful in October. It’s just very motivational on many accounts: cooler for exercise, more structured for diet and eating healthy, colorful for the soul, inspiring for opening our homes, over-all more routine-friendly (kids back in school, soccer has begun).

Warmer Connections gets me in the mood for connecting with people.

If you missed previous days to 31 Days of Warm Connections …
Day 1: Secret Ingredient to Warmer Connections
Day 2: Bringing the Beauty of Autumn to Your Table
Day 3: Multi-Generational Pear Applesauce
Day 4: Canning Suncrest Peaches with a Friend
Day 5: How to Find Contentment
Day 6: Encouragement with Easy Pear Cobbler
Day 7: Bush’s Garbanzos, Chicken, and Quinoa Soup for a Sports Family
Day 8: More About Others
Day 9: Technology Versus People
Day 10: The Table Experience with Bush’s Beans
Day 11: Dreaming of Autumn Guests
Day 12: Gathering Around a Homemade Life
Day 13: Sisters in New York City
Day 14: Giving to Those in Need
Day 15: Enjoying Everyday Sounds
Day 16: Life’s Small Moments
Day 17: Well-Designed Kitchen Counter
Day 18: “Now Time” and 5 Years at RE
Day 19: Taking a Chance and Chocolate Caramel Bars
Day 20: Harry and David, Nostalgia and Hospitality
Day 21: Even in a Messy House
Day 22: Happy Autumn at the Front Door
Day 23: Letting Others Know You Care
Day 24: Friends Who Build You Up
Day 25: Find Your Own Way of Homemaking
Day 26: When Your Heart Calls You Home
Day 27: Love Through Close Knit Friends
Day 28: The Noblest of Neighbors and Fruit
Day 29: Fall into Spring by Planting Bulbs Now
Day 30: Intimate Moments with Storyville Coffee
Day 31: Taking the Time to Eat With Others

And be sure to check out the rest of the 31 Day Participants!

Here are the 8 bloggers hosting the 31 Days in October series … I hope you’ll be able to visit them, too.

Nester – 31 Days of Charming Imperfection

Jen – 31 Days to Balancing Both Beauty and a Budget

Jessica – 31 Days of Memory Keeping

Melissa: – 31 Days: Inspired Holidays

Sandy – 31 Days of Warm Connections

Darcy: 31 Days of Photo Tips

Emily: 31 Days to Change the World

Emily: 31 Days of the Little Things

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31-Days Series Archives - Reluctant Entertainer

Warm Connections {Day 14}: Learning to Give to Those in Need

31 Days of Warm Connections