Having recently adopted two fabulously wonderful children on one very average charity worker income, with no assistance, no free childcare and special needs which mean extra resources are needed, it can be challenging to think about how to help others. When you are working hard to set a budget and then struggling to get everything in, you can begin to let a small belief creep in, a belief that you aren’t in a place where you can help others. But sometimes I think we are so focused on “doing something big” or getting our own needs & wants met (particularly if people around us have more resources) that we forget it is the very small actions of giving that create seismic change. And that collectively, good is accomplished by lots of people taking one step.
In this season of life it is hard to feel that I’m giving sacrificially, though someone reminded me yesterday that adopting two older children with special needs requires constant “giving” of oneself. They didn’t say because of some misguided belief adopters are angels, they said it to remind me that giving isn’t just about what happens outside our home, but our everyday actions inside our home can demonstrate generosity and love too. And right now inside our home we are looking at how we can continue to give even in a season of greater needs and less resources.
And after lots of reflecting on the budget what we can do is:
- Continue our sponsorship of a crib through Butterfly Children’s Hospices (previously named ChinaKidz) – as readers know, I was a volunteer there summer 2010, an experience which changed my life and a place I know sponsorship means babies and children’s lives are saved.
- Use our food budget to buy some food each shop to give to the foodbank. We may not be able to spend as much as I’d like, but those few items each shop probably give one meal to a family, one meal they don’t need to worry about and that is good.
- When we do make a purchase, we can ensure it is fairtrade or ethically sourced. My daughter’s winter sweater is fairtrade, the food we buy as much as possible is fairtrade, we boycott companies which are unethical and buy small and local as much as possible
- We visit our local homeless people once a week and give what we can while spending time with them. This is always the highlight of the week for my daughter, whose generous spirit I will blog about soon!
- We pray for others every day
- We give away what we don’t need and/or have outgrown
- We soon will begin volunteering as a family
When I look at that list what I see is a few small lifestyle choices that let us give a little each month. But, as I’m trying to teach my children, it is little every day actions of being loving, giving and kind which is the most important thing. It isn’t about assuming others have money and are better equipped to solve the world’s problems, it is everyone making positive choices, little drops of love, that make the world a much move loving and kind place.
So on this Help A Family Friday, I just wanted to admit that to myself and others that it is OK when the help you can give is small; small acts change someone’s world.
Brilliant FT, we can’t do everything but we can do SOMETHING! xx
As we say in Scotland, many a mickle makes a muckle!
xox Morag
Absolutely! I also strongly feel that the small things that we do in a routine manner, almost without thinking about it, are the things that other people see and are more likely to take on board as inspiration for adopting similar habits themselves. We habitually add one or two food bank items to our trolley when we shop, it isn’t something we think about, just something we do, but others notice us adding to that basket next to the checkouts, their attention is drawn to it. When I tell people that the reason we want to move house is so that we can apply to become foster carers, I get the ‘oh, you’re so good, I could never do that’ type of reaction. Small acts of service are hugely important stepping stones for many people.
The small amounts add and help but for some people your time and attention can have even more worth than any physical or monetary contribution. These are the ones starved for love because our fast paced, materialistic lifestyle means that they don’t fit in. You might even find these people at your work or school. Lonely people who are real people and would love a hug, a smile and a little time. Cherrie
@Cherrie:
I was thinking the same thing. If you don’t have money to spare, time can be just as (if not more) valuable. So many organizations (and people) have little jobs they don’t have the time for or the money to hire someone to do.
I think that “small” and “big” are relative terms, which don’t have much meaning in the Christian life, although our Western culture teaches us that big = splashy = obvious to others = valuable, in fact the only quality that is valuable. St. Paul speaks of the Spirit bearing fruit in “active goodness”, and if you are striving to be loving, giving, and kind in concrete ways every day and are teaching your children to be the same, you are bearing fruit, regardless of whether it meets some arbitrary and altogether worldly standard. So keep on keeping on! God bless you three.
Amen
We all have SOMETHING to give … we do.
I sooooo believe in giving what you can. It isn’t really the amount that matters, it’s that you do something that gives to others and out of a loving heart. It is so important you are giving your children opportunities to see that. God bless you all!
I was taught from little on that we all have something to share. My Grandmother helped raise us.
My mother sick most of her life. Grandma taught us by her actions. We would take meals to people
in need or groceries. Share flowers to brighten someones day, babysit with kids or sit with an elderly
person and visit. She taught has no matter how little you have you always have something that you
can share. I see you doing the same with your children. Its a great gift you are sharing with them
and with others.
Can you imagine how the world would be changed by EVERYONE, doing ONE SMALL THING, EVERYDAY?
Pingback: Odd Cents’ Favourite Posts of the Week – 8 Jan 2012 | Odd Cents