Lessons in Serving Others

Once a month our church holds a food pantry for the local community. We've seen a large increase in numbers in recent months due to the economy. On that Saturday each month that we hold our food pantry, I try to make sure that my children volunteer with me and my husband. Now, there are times when not all of us can attend. Sometimes my husband has to work. Sometimes my daughter is working. Sometimes there is something that comes up and prevents one of us from being there. I think we've only missed one food pantry as a whole family in three years.
I believe that the monthly work at the food pantry teaches my children some vital lessons. We don't miss because it has become a priority. I want my girls to learn service to others. I want them to do as Jesus said and feed the hungry. I want my girls to understand that, even in America, there are people that don't have enough food. What better way to learn service than to serve?
I know that every time I volunteer God uses my service to teach me something. I hope I am a blessing, but the truth is that most of the time it is me that walks away blessed. No matter how down I feel, someone at Food Pantry always brightens my day. It may be a fellow worker or someone needing food. People that have very little and need the food to make small incomes stretch as far as possible, still give smiles and warm greetings.
Sometimes the teaching from God comes from those I call 'The Grumpies'. You see, there are those people that come to the food pantry and aren't grateful. They complain about the selection of food (all of which is donated) or about the fact that they had to wait in line (in a warm sanctuary...not outdoors). I've learned a lot from the Grumpies. You see, they've showed me that some people are unhappy at a level that even receiving a blessing doesn't easily solve.
Sometimes I analyze my own self after dealing with people and ask which person am I most like in my life. Am I one that, when I have little, still smile and give warm greetings? Or am I one of the Grumpies, complaining my way through life even when others are trying to bless me. I know that many times in life I have been a Grumpy. When stress gets to much, I know I complain. I know I cry to God to make things all better. I know I get upset and angry when things feel out of my control and I feel like my world is crashing around me. I know I don't trust God the way he tells me to in his Word. I forget that, while he will take care of me, he isn't a genie in a bottle. I can't necessarily just get three wishes to fix things that have gone wrong.
God reminded me of that today. Life has dealt us some pretty harsh blows in the last seven or eight months. I feel like I'm drowning. I've begun to have panic attacks. So many circumstances are so far out of my control. My gallbladder that has given me attacks; The fat-free diet that leaves me with little to eat; the health insurance that we've been waiting on for months; The hours that my husband isn't getting at his job; the bills that are never ending and demanding; the vehicles and things around the house that keep needing repair; the loss of a loved one...All I can do is fall to my knees in prayer. I have to remind myself that God has everything in his hands. I have to remind myself that He Loves Me and has a plan and a purpose for everything. I have to remind myself that I might not know Why about some things until I get to Heaven. I have to remind myself that complaining makes me sound to God the way the Grumpies sound to me...Ungrateful, Inconsiderate, and often Rude. I figure he sees me as worse than them. He died for me. I haven't died for anyone. I just help give food mostly donated by other people. What right do I have to complain?
I take my girls to food pantry to help teach them to serve. God has me at food pantry to learn so much more.