There's is absolutely nothing glamorous about this picture, as you can clearly tell by my non-manicured hands and the eye wrinkles, I've prematurely developed, from non-stop laughter. Yet, I love everything about it, for there has been very few times in my life where I have experienced such overwhelming joy and peace.
That Sunday morning we have walked for about 2 hours from the Nahuatl village in Veracruz, Mexico where we had been staying, to the closest church in the community in order to attend their service. For us, it was quite a bit of a walk, while for many, it was just their usual Sunday easy-breezy, "let's go to church" kind of day. Thankfully, after the service ended, we were offered a ride back to town, and as you can imagine, we couldn't refuse.
To be honest, prior to this trip, I had so many expectations of what my experience would be like. I was ready to serve, to work, and to give my very best. Yet, for the next two weeks, I was taught the true meaning of service. I knew this was a very undeserved community so I kind of had an idea of what to expect. I'll never forget that every day they served us their very best food, gave us their precious time, and treated us as nothing less than family. A family of 10 lived in a small house constructed with aluminum, some wood, and mostly cardboard. They had a tiny kitchen and most of them slept on the floor. They had two hammocks that they insisted on giving to us, so that for the next two weeks, we could sleep comfortably. The little ones walked miles and miles to school every day, had no shoes, and didn't drink milk because the family couldn't afford it. At sunrise, the mother would wake up and pick up sunflowers from the backyard so that she could sell them at the nearest city, about 3 hours away and make approximately $7/day. Yet, they served us their very best Every. Single. Day. They gave me and taught me more than I could've ever imagine. Not to mention, I've never tasted a better cup of coffee in my entirely life, freshly roasted for us every morning.
So, I used to think that I had to travel somewhere, specifically, to an undeveloped country or community for me to be able to serve. Yet, today as I looked at this picture I was once again reminded that we have the opportunity to serve others daily. We get to serve our families, in our relationships/marriages, and in our jobs no matter what profession we are in. When we open the door for someone or pay for someone's drink at Starbucks, when we pray for each other and listen to one another . We never know how an act of selflessness can impact someone else. And I will never understand how they could give so much when they had so little . Yet, we have so much, and we give so little. Maybe they had what really matters. So today, as I continue to watch the news and realize the depth of racism and hatred that exists in our world, I want to be reminded of the power of LOVE and SERVICE, and that ALL LIVES MATTER. So let's not forget to take a stand against injustice and remember that WE ARE CALLED to LOVE, and to be a light in the midst of this darkness. let's be encouraged to serve someone, to love on someone, to practice selflessness for "there's much greater joy in giving than receiving" Acts 20:35.
Philippians 2:1-11 "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus" (ESV).