Serve with Your Heart
We do things. We do things for others to help out. Others do things for us to help out, too. Sometimes we get paid to do things, and other times we do things because we're asked. And, other times we do things just because we want to do them. It's how life works.
There is a word that describes doing things for others that has been around for a long time. That word? Serve.
Recently, someone shared with me the kindest, most full-of-love statement about how they serve. It is one of those phrases that nudges at your heart, plants itself in there, and wants to grow big. It needs the right conditions, of course. It has huge potential. It would make the world a better place. So, I thought I would pass it along.
I heard it while I was celebrating a special occasion. It was one of those milestone thingy-s where you want to stop and go, "Wow, made it!" Ever have one of those? They are special when you get to stop and enjoy them. Even if just for a moment in time.
While celebrating, my husband and I were fortunate to come across some of the most amazing people. They weren't friends or family, yet there was a unique connection. They were humble and caring. Real people. Salt of the earth. We were thankful to get to know them even though it was just for a little while. And, they were serving.
One of them stood out. He was a young man who was very polite, caring, and kind. He made everything so very special by having a true heart that cared.
We discovered that he was in training. My husband and I shared with his supervisor how well we thought the young man was doing at his job. The trainer then said something that made its way directly into my heart.
"When I train others to serve someone, I tell them to serve with their heart". As he said this, he covered his heart with his hands, closed his eyes, and looked down with his head tilted gently.
At that moment I felt a familiar, gentle nudge. I knew it was God and He was teaching me something that He didn't want me to forget. Serve with your heart was planted in my own heart. I hope it grows big.
I've since been thinking of all of the different ways to serve:
Being a parent and serving your children
Being a spouse and serving the other spouse.
Being a friend and serving them in need.
Being a son or daughter and serving parents when they are elderly or ill.
Being a neighbor and serving those who live nearby.
Being an employee and serving those at work.
Being just someone who serves a stranger.
And then I thought about the heart part. I remembered, what goes in is what comes out. A really clean heart has really good things that come out of it.
I think that is what made that young man so special. He had good things coming out of his heart. He really cared. He was truly humble. He was extremely kind. That was what came out. And we were blessed by him.
So where does a clean heart come from? I actually know a man who has a great cleaning service. He once cleaned several guys' feet while He served with His heart. He is excellent at creating a clean heart...and comes Highly recommended.
