"Mercy" is one of those words we commonly associate with the New Testament. Jesus used it frequently in his teachings because of its relevancy to his ministry.
Examples of mercy are everywhere. Maybe for you it means sitting with the new kid at lunch, keeping an embarrassing secret, or maybe this year it'll be holding hands with the homeless, poor, and hungry.
The thing about mercy is that it's a two-way street. Many Americans feel accustomed to giving/thinking we give mercy because we have the means to offer it in material form-- we can donate money, offer canned goods, and give away our old clothes. While those donations are valuable, they're easy because we just write a check or sort through old boxes, and our stuff becomes someone else's burden.
What if you started taking on burdens and exercising mercy through your emotions and time? Eat lunch with the working poor, bake bread with an unemployed mom in your house, or sit and listen to the worries of a man who's scared to tell his wife their home has been foreclosed. Whatever you do, welcome someone who needs something (a listening ear, words of praise, good advice) into a safe place and stick by them. Sometimes all we need to get through life is a companion.
I mention that because when you volunteer with people who typically get the "untouchable" label, remember that it's not you vs. them. It's both of you vs. the world and you're there to be their friend, not a benefactor.
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Love isn't seasonal, but of course certain times of the year bring more obvious opportunities for volunteering, donating, and other forms of providing. While I like to encourage long-term investment volunteering, below are a few things going on over the holidays you might want to check out. If you're sitting in a warm room in a household that bought the computer you're using, someone out there needs your help.
- Raleigh Rescue Mission has a plethora of opportunities revolving around Turkey Day and Jesus' birthday.
- Helping Hands for Heroes is a non-profit based in Angier that sends care packages to deployed soldiers.
- Eastern NC Poverty Network needs your help providing Bibles, winter clothes, and prayer.
- Operation Christmas Child is collecting boxes this week, and Campbell is a drop-off site!
You can also check resources in your own area to discover a way to give back during the chilly season.
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