Author: Melissa

While my husband is off on a mission trip, I’ve been thinking a lot about my ministry which lately,  has been feeling non-existent. By the time I’m done with cooking, cleaning, diapering, running around and working, I barely have time to sleep, nevermind lead a Bible Study or something.

Personally, my go-to excuse is “But I don’t have time!” or “I’m already so busy.”

Yet we are called to serve others and make the most of wherever God has placed us — even when we’re a busy family with young kids. This year, my husband and I decided we needed to make more of an effort to reach out to those around us – and it took some planning, but we’ve done it. When we schedule ministry into our schedule, it happens. When we don’t, it doesn’t.

Here are some simple ways that even busy families can minister to those around them:

• MAKING MEALS
  You already have to cook dinner – cooking a double batch is hardly any more work. Drop off a meal for that friend with three sick kids, or that neighbor who’s husband is out-of-town or that friend who is in the trenches of morning sickness, but needs to feed her kids.
  Keep a meal in the freezer, so even if you’re busy you can pick up a bag of salad and a loaf of bread at the store and you’ll have a complete meal ready to drop off for someone who needs it on a moment’s notice.
• CARE PACKAGES
  Perfect for college students, friends or family in the military or sick people. If you don’t know anyone personally, you can find a soldier without family to support them through sites like Soldiers Angels. Allow your children to help shop for goodies and include notes from themselves.  We send packages to our babysitter, who is in college, with pictures and letters from the kids and Starbucks gift cards. When my brother-in-law was deployed, iTunes gift cards were really appreciated by the guys!
  Care packages are also great for friends who are on bed rest – when I was on bed rest with my son, a friend dropped off a huge package with books for me, coloring books and movies for the kids, and tons of paper goods for my husband so he wouldn’t have to do dishes. It was the sweetest thing! 
• CARDS AND LETTERS
  Most of us hardly ever get “real” mail anymore. So isn’t it a treat when you sort through the bills and credit card applications and see a note from a friend? Have your kids become pen pals with their great-grandparents or a relative that lives far away. Send some of the piles of artwork your kids create to grandparents or friends. A letter or colorful picture in the mail can brighten someone’s day and only costs a stamp!
  Keep a stash of blank notecards in the car – you can write a quick “thinking of you” note when you’re waiting at preschool dropoff. It takes two minutes and will make someone’s day!
• SPONSOR A CHILD
  Join Compassion International and your family can sponsor a child in any number of countries. Keep their photo in a prominent place where your family can pray for them, have children can do chores or have a lemonade stand to earn money towards the support and many times you can even exchange letters with your sponsored child.
  There also may be a missionary family at your church with young children who might be a great pen pal for your child! Its a great way to bring your focus outside of your little world and teach your kids about other cultures.
• HOSPITALITY
  This is number one. Whether its a playdate with a neighbor, having an elderly neighbor over for coffee or inviting another family over for dinner, hospitality is an excellent way to minister to others.  It is a great way to get to know people and provides opportunities for deepening relationships and having real conversations!
  We often have another family over on Friday evenings – we have a simple meal (or order pizza), then put on a movie for the kids (complete with popcorn) and we parents get to enjoy some adult conversation. Its great!

Be sure to explain to your kids why we do these things: we are showing others the love of Jesus, serving others and using the gifts God as given us for His glory!