Doing the Small Things

Today, my brother, who is a sophomore in high school, came home and told me about how he volunteered at a food pantry this afternoon. I thought that was so great and I was jealous I was not able to help myself! He went with a couple of his friends for service hours that they are required to do at school. He told me that he was really excited to help people who were in need of food or other items. But he then told me how he was upset because when he went to the food pantry, instead of helping the people, he and his friends were sitting in one of the offices at the pantry and they were putting labels on envelopes that would be sent to people asking for donations. I definitely understood why my brother was disappointed! Then, I tried to put things in perspective for both him and myself. If he and his friends did not put those labels on the envelopes, no one may have donated to the food pantry. Then, many people who are in need would not be able to come there and receive what they need.

Sometimes, when people volunteer, they expect to directly reach out to other people and somehow change their lives. I do think that is great if that can happen, but as I have become older, I realize that it takes a lot of work behind the scenes to make something happen. In reality, envelopes do have to get sent out to ask people for donations. When I talked to my brother, I encouraged him not to give up and to return to the food pantry. I told him that eventually, he will get to meet and talk to the people who come there.

The little things that we do each day are usually the biggest help. One day, smile at someone who looks like they are distressed, hold the door for someone who looks like they are in a rush, or listen to the person who is upset and needs a friend to talk to. I have realized that this can make the biggest difference in someone's life, but we may not even realize it. During this season of Lent, that is one of my goals - to try to help someone as often as I can during the day by doing the simple things. These things honestly do make a difference in a person's life.