MATTHEEW 25:40
First of all, thank you, A.! The world needs more people like you!!! In the past, I have served in various areas of the church - Sunday School, Bible Studies, etc. but found that I was feeling more like God was calling me to get "my hands dirty" and really reach out in the community. In the end, I ended up joining an organization that specializes in helping at the local level in a variety of capacities and training its volunteers to serve in the most effective possible way. I LOVE IT!!!! For me, it has really become an extension of church for me, even though the organization is not affiliated with a church. For most of the projects we have been involved in, I have been able to drag my kids along to give them a taste of all the different ways you can serve in the community. They enjoy it as well and I can already see signs that my older daughter has really developed a great deal of empathy and a sense of concern for others. The National Charity League is another organization that was developed to help mothers and daughters serve at the local level. Surely there is something out there for families or mothers/sons?!?! The Salvation Army, your local food pantry, soup kitchen, thrift store... all are great places for your kids to serve alongside you.
As a side note, my parents "forced" me to do some volunteer work as a teen. My first little "job" was raking leaves at a children's home when I was about 15. I can remember being bored out of my mind. But the funny thing is, somehow I got bit by the volunteer "bug" and have never looked back. I can't tell you how fulfilling it is to serve and to give to others. I'm sure you know that otherwise you wouldn't be doing what you do with your current volunteer work. All that to say, though, I am SO grateful that my parents were so instrumental in "making" me take that first step. Otherwise I don't think I would have the heart for it today!
God bless you, A.!