After five years of marriage and birthing a beautiful daughter, I often think that there were so many more areas I could have served in while I was single. I enjoyed my single season, especially right before my husband came! I was literally living my best life, going to school, enjoying friendships with men and women alike, serving in a number of ministries, and just having fun. But I also remember countless Saturdays of having nothing to do so, I just relaxed. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to relax, but I know I could have made even more use of my time!
Adding a spouse, children and, for some, business, creates a whole new list of responsibilities. As a single woman, I couldn’t even fathom all of these new responsibilities that marriage, parenthood, and entrepreneurship would bestow upon me but boy, do I know now! I’ve learned how to ask for help — and receive help when I need. I’ve had teens from my church ask me to babysit, and I even hired someone to help clean up around the when I had a load of other tasks to get done.
Many people look for ways to be a blessing, and often think it has to be by volunteering for a huge event, giving or hundreds to thousands of dollars to give to an organization (both are great ways to help) but some of the biggest ways to help can be right in your vicinity and it could mean the world to those you aid.
We are avid believers in seed-faith giving. I believe “whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Not only that, but whatever you give will be “given back to you in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over” (Luke 6:38). There are many ways to give and be a blessing, whether it be freely giving because of love or interest, giving out of obedience or strategically giving or helping in an area that I would desire the same blessing in.
While we’re waiting on marriage, we can use our time, talent, and treasure to sow into the life that we desire to have by helping others in those exact areas!
Here are seven areas to serve in that may have gone unnoticed:
1. Ask your pastor what area in the church needs more volunteers.
There are always areas in a church that people gravitate towards more than others. For example, the music ministry can be flooded with singers while the children’s ministry is skimp and the volunteers are on the brink of burnout. Ask your pastor what area needs the most help and put your hands to work. Not only will it be a relief for the pastor, but it will tangibly help build the Kingdom. Know that if there is a season where you lack help in an area, you have seed in a ground that will produce help for you!
2. Sponsor a date night by babysitting for a couple with children.
Some couples DESPERATELY need a date night, but consistently make an excuse for not having a babysitter— or they may not have the funds to spend on the services. Find a couple you would love to help or a couple you know that could use the help and serve! Tell them how you’d love to see them go out and have fun and that you’re more than happy to babysit for a couple of hours.
3. Help a single parent clean, organize, or grocery shop.
Having to raise children on your own is not an easy task, and sometimes certain tasks can go undone when all the responsibility lies on one person. If you know a single parent, let them know that you’d love to help them weekly, biweekly, or monthly with cleaning, organizing, grocery shopping, cooking, or any area in which they need help. Your service will remind them that God always takes care of them!
4. Cook a meal for an elderly couple or widow(er).
Find an elderly couple or widow/widower and tell them you want to cook them a meal and spend time with them. Everybody benefits from company, and friendship is not limited by age; receiving wisdom from them wouldn’t hurt either! You never know what beautiful things can come from that.
5. Cook a few freezer meals for a soon-to-be mommy.
After I had my daughter, I was consumed with making sure she ate and often neglected eating in the process. Thank God for my husband, who would make meals for me when needed, but sometimes both parents need to rest! One of the biggest blessings is having nutritious meals on hand after you have a baby. Meal prep for a new mommy and simply drop it off with a letter of encouragement. She may or may not be ready to have visitors over yet but a simple gesture like that can mean the world to a new parent!
6. Mentor a teen at your church.
Every generation after us needs guidance. If you find a teen that needs a little more guidance than most, step in and start to talk to them, and ask their parent if you can hang out with them with your intentions of being a positive, Godly role model in their life. They won’t be able to thank you enough!
7. Buy breakfast for different ministries at the church
Every first Sunday, we have a member at our church buy breakfast for the praise team, and it is the most darling thing ever! Praise team, children’s church, and the security team are often the first people at church, hours before service arrives. Many times they can be in such a rush that they forget breakfast. If you can serve a ministry by providing some fruit and croissants a few Sundays out of the year, we know that you will be an immense blessing.
If you have time to spare, sow it into blessing people around you. God will cause the seed you plant to make all grace abound towards you, so that you have everything you need for every good work you endeavor to do!
