It's the duty of the strong to protect the weak. And the responsibility of the blessed to be a blessing.
Everyone makes a difference...but maybe not a good one.
We live life in one of two ways: 1) Selfishly or 2) Selflessly.
That's it.
The holidays are here and people are in great need.
Last week we talked about adopting a pet. Let's go deeper. Much, much deeper.
I'm talking about adopting a family.
Every day we pass struggling people who lack the resources to feed their families.
Every night, children go to bed hungry.
That's where you come in. You have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of people. Be somebody's hero in the coming days. It won't take much.
Every community has disadvantaged families.
We often judge these people as lazy or lacking initiative. Some are. Most aren't.
We shouldn't use self-righteousness to fuel a selfish life
and from being the blessing God calls us to be.
It's the duty of the blessed to be a blessing.
Consider making a positive difference by adopting a family. Help provide certain necessities, or get their kids a small gift to open. You might even go a step further and invite them over for a meal, if appropriate, or plan something special at your church for them.
Finding a Family
to Adopt…
If you don’t already have a family in mind, these ideas might help:
1. Watch the news for families in need due to loss of homes or jobs.
2. Talk to the clergy at your church to find
families in need of help.
3. Remember colleagues - single parents might be struggling to stay afloat.
4. Contact your local family shelter. Donate food and other needed supplies.
5. Remember your friends. Is someone in the hospital? Are they struggling with hospital
bills?
6. You could prepare meals for those who are sick or going through difficult times.
Make adopting a family a family cause.
Enlist the help of your spouse and kids to identify a needy family.
Ask for their help with the shopping, cooking and cleaning up so everyone has a chance to be a blessing to the family.
What to Do When Adopting a Family…
After choosing a family, decide what’s best - inviting them over, taking them out, or taking things to them.
This is an art not a science that largely depends on what you’re comfortable with.
Whatever you do, please remember to respect their dignity and be loving. It’s hard for some people to accept help. Try not to do or say anything condescending.
How is this Good for Your Marriage?
Adopting a family gives you the
opportunity to experience marriage through the eyes of another couple whose circumstances are different than yours.
Adopting a family is a reverse blessing, especially if you're having relationship problems or have become bored or stagnant in your marriage. This kind of cause helps you realize that
your problems really aren’t so bad after all.
Also, helping others gets you “out” of your own little world, enabling you to see and appreciate a bigger picture.
There’s something about helping others that
makes us more grateful and less me-focused.
If our world ever needed more grace, it's now.
Be that
person.
The holidays are always a great time to adopt a family. If you’re looking for something meaningful to do this Christmas, consider helping a family in need.
Until next time, this is Mike Tucker and I want YOU to be mad about marriage!
