Many Kindnesses

“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do…but how much love we put in that action.”  ~Mother Teresa

Ahhh, home.

Just returned from a week-long visit with a friend who needed some help after a life-threatening illness and emergency surgery. Beyond comfort and company (and the changing of some bandages), I did for her family basically what I do for mine everyday—laundry, dishes, dinner, errands, drop-offs and pick-ups—I love these people and it felt so good to have the opportunity to do this for them. Somewhere along the way, as I was thanking God for that opportunity, a little voice in my head said, “When was the last time you thanked God for the opportunity to do these things for your own family?”

Oh, I don’t know, the answer to that question might be, “Never.”

Someone once said, “Many kindnesses are spread around…that should have stayed at home.” Why is it so often that serving others feels like the greatest thing in the world to do, except when it comes to the people closest to us, the ones we live with every day? I love my life, adore my family and I’m satisfied. I’m truly thankful for them. But I can’t remember the last time I felt deeply grateful to God for the chance to serve them. You know, that “job well-done,” sleep the sleep of the righteous feeling you get from helping others?

It isn’t that I don’t love the life I’ve chosen—I  do. It isn’t that I feel unloved or underappreciated—I don’t. It’s just that, if I get to the end of the day and I’ve “only” had the opportunity to meet my family’s needs, I feel like I haven’t done enough. And that’s crazy talk.

Sure, God calls us to reach beyond our family and meet needs sometimes (and sometimes, often). When He calls, by all means, answer the call, say “Yes!”

But in the meantime—Mother Teresa and the needy of Calcutta/You and your family—there really is no difference. Be deeply grateful for the chance to serve them. And sleep well.