Recently, members of our community of Shenandoah, Iowa, had the opportunity to assist in the 23rd Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Shenandoah Elks Lodge. It was quite a feast with many in attendance. It was made possible through donations of time, talent and means. For those who volunteered their effort it was a gesture of goodwill so others may have the full liberty to express gratitude in feast and fellowship. For me it was an honor to serve the community in what capacities I took on. Primarily my efforts remained at the beverage area. This was a good place for me as it afforded a great experience and further insight into "thanks giving" and also filling that metaphysical hunger through service. I'd like to thank a young lady of no more than probably seven years of age. I'll just call her Heidi for purposes of anonymity.
Whether it be a corporation, government entity, religious organization or even a club, when you have people eager and willing to serve, the mission of that entity finds the power of accomplishment. This Thanksgiving Dinner was no different. "Heidi" had the benevolent task of assisting patrons to their table by carrying their beverage cup or even their plate of food if they needed the help. Overwhelmingly, most declined the offer but thanked her nonetheless. Yet, there were those who shared the blessing of service and allowed her to carry out that end of the mission. It had a deep impact on me as I watched the process unfold. Truly, a spirit of goodwill reigned within those walls as a very young lady would carry the cup of someone wanting to participate in gratitude at a Thanksgiving feast.
....But why was this simple act so significant?
It brought my mind to a prophecy in Amos 8:11:
Though this is not a particularly "religious" article per se, but I would say that the famine is in all good things including service as well as the Word. Mother Teresa of Calcutta spent her life in the service of others. She is credited with stating that with all the physical hunger and suffering that she has tried to alleviate in the world, spiritual hunger is the most devastating and widespread. That lack of spiritual strength was a greater hunger in this modern day.
"....my cup runneth over." Psalms 23:5
Hopefully all of us have come across those moments when we are filled spiritually by some experience. To truly say "... my cup runneth over" requires a humbling of spirit and renting of pride. Only then can one see with new eyes. I hope that spirit of service is what people saw in Heidi. Though she carried the cup for them, with new eyes they'd see that their "cup runneth over." Being of such young age I don't expect Heidi to know the depth of the service she rendered to the people. Yet for me and hopefully everyone else it was an inspired lesson to be learned.
Again, I reiterate what I've said in my previous article. There is no greater power or favor that we can muster than through the kind acts of selfless service. We've come to a point where we are being stripped to the bone of our liberties, security and even trust. Now more than ever we ought to engage in acts of selfless service. Most of us cannot seem to find the power to "fill our cup." However, the path is right before us. Being mindful of our neighbor, his happiness, and then acting upon inspiration to minister to his welfare allows your own cup to be filled with purpose as you become a tool in filling his cup.
There is power in service! Who knows? Perhaps one of those patrons were subtly inspired by Heidi's act that they later reached out to a neighbor in need. Perhaps in the 1 or 2 people who read this may feel the influence of Heidi's service and feel compelled to visit the sick and weary this afternoon. It could be that someone is stressed over some very important issues which they can't seem to solve. Yet, through seeing Heidi's acts of service, are softened to the point of seeing other perspectives and possibilities - solutions to their own obstacles.
Obviously it seems that I've magnified Heidi's service at the Shenandoah Thanksgiving Dinner at the Elks Lodge. Some would say to a ridiculous degree. However...... prove me wrong. Like so many other communities here in the United States and around the world Shenandoah has it's own set of difficulties and problems. There are obstacles to overcome on the community level as well as individual with domestic issues. I so testify that the key is in selfless service. The key is in what separates us from the beasts of the field. The key is in openly choosing to become that new creature. It is in choosing to serve your neighbor that his cup and his joy runneth over.
Thank you "Heidi" for your service to the community of Shenandoah, Iowa. Heidi was one of two or three others with this task. Thanks to all of them and everyone else who volunteered their service. It was truly an inspiration and a timeless lesson to be learned.
Whether it be a corporation, government entity, religious organization or even a club, when you have people eager and willing to serve, the mission of that entity finds the power of accomplishment. This Thanksgiving Dinner was no different. "Heidi" had the benevolent task of assisting patrons to their table by carrying their beverage cup or even their plate of food if they needed the help. Overwhelmingly, most declined the offer but thanked her nonetheless. Yet, there were those who shared the blessing of service and allowed her to carry out that end of the mission. It had a deep impact on me as I watched the process unfold. Truly, a spirit of goodwill reigned within those walls as a very young lady would carry the cup of someone wanting to participate in gratitude at a Thanksgiving feast.
....But why was this simple act so significant?
It brought my mind to a prophecy in Amos 8:11:
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:"
Though this is not a particularly "religious" article per se, but I would say that the famine is in all good things including service as well as the Word. Mother Teresa of Calcutta spent her life in the service of others. She is credited with stating that with all the physical hunger and suffering that she has tried to alleviate in the world, spiritual hunger is the most devastating and widespread. That lack of spiritual strength was a greater hunger in this modern day.
"....my cup runneth over." Psalms 23:5
Hopefully all of us have come across those moments when we are filled spiritually by some experience. To truly say "... my cup runneth over" requires a humbling of spirit and renting of pride. Only then can one see with new eyes. I hope that spirit of service is what people saw in Heidi. Though she carried the cup for them, with new eyes they'd see that their "cup runneth over." Being of such young age I don't expect Heidi to know the depth of the service she rendered to the people. Yet for me and hopefully everyone else it was an inspired lesson to be learned.
Again, I reiterate what I've said in my previous article. There is no greater power or favor that we can muster than through the kind acts of selfless service. We've come to a point where we are being stripped to the bone of our liberties, security and even trust. Now more than ever we ought to engage in acts of selfless service. Most of us cannot seem to find the power to "fill our cup." However, the path is right before us. Being mindful of our neighbor, his happiness, and then acting upon inspiration to minister to his welfare allows your own cup to be filled with purpose as you become a tool in filling his cup.
There is power in service! Who knows? Perhaps one of those patrons were subtly inspired by Heidi's act that they later reached out to a neighbor in need. Perhaps in the 1 or 2 people who read this may feel the influence of Heidi's service and feel compelled to visit the sick and weary this afternoon. It could be that someone is stressed over some very important issues which they can't seem to solve. Yet, through seeing Heidi's acts of service, are softened to the point of seeing other perspectives and possibilities - solutions to their own obstacles.
Obviously it seems that I've magnified Heidi's service at the Shenandoah Thanksgiving Dinner at the Elks Lodge. Some would say to a ridiculous degree. However...... prove me wrong. Like so many other communities here in the United States and around the world Shenandoah has it's own set of difficulties and problems. There are obstacles to overcome on the community level as well as individual with domestic issues. I so testify that the key is in selfless service. The key is in what separates us from the beasts of the field. The key is in openly choosing to become that new creature. It is in choosing to serve your neighbor that his cup and his joy runneth over.
Thank you "Heidi" for your service to the community of Shenandoah, Iowa. Heidi was one of two or three others with this task. Thanks to all of them and everyone else who volunteered their service. It was truly an inspiration and a timeless lesson to be learned.
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