:: in.a.mirror.dimly :: A theology and culture blog with the Bible in one tab and a news feed in the other.

As a rule I don’t blog specifics about ministry, work, or volunteer work. Having said that, I’d like to share some general observations I’ve made in the past month about myself.

I’ve been serving off and on in two relatively forgotten areas in our society of late: prison (when I can) and among the elderly/housebound (as a substitute for a regular volunteer). It has been a very interesting process that has pushed me to some new places.

Getting Started

Breaking in to service is the hardest thing. All I could think about at the start is what I’ll be missing, and what I wish I was doing instead. I was also hit with a lot of doubt about my own ability to handle whatever is thrown at me as I pondered all of the unknowns.

The First Time In

Whether serving the elderly or going into the prison, I admit I was nervous during my first visits. I didn’t quite know what to do even if I had been trained. I felt like an outsider, and any time you feel that way, it’s a bit tough to settle down and be yourself.

Acclimatizing

After serving a few times I have found that the routine isn’t all that hard to fit into my schedule. It requires more planning and some sacrifice, but now I have found that life goes on, and I don’t mind taking the time volunteer. As I’ve gotten to know the people I find myself settling in and relaxing, not worrying about sticking out as an outsider.

The Biggest Surprise of All

Serving is a wonderful experience and I have deeply enjoyed getting to know the people. It’s funny how you may see someone and underestimate the life, joy, and insight that is resting underneath the surface, just waiting to come out. It has been pure joy to see personalities and passions come out of people as I spend time with them. It suddenly stopped feeling like a chore, but rather a perfectly normal and wonderful addition to my life.