I readily confess admiration for the folk who give their hearts to odd ducks. I’ve made my stab volunteering at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. I remember Matthew 25 (“even as you did it for the least of these…”) but it hasn’t come easier over time.
Good that you've at least tried. I'm not sure working with really down and out folk ever gets easy. Maybe it does, but I'll admit that that's not where I've chosen to invest most of my volunteer hours. Some of us are more in our element sharing time and a couple of recently purchased lunches with a homeless guy. Others might for instance be great cooks who could share their skills in a soup kitchen and serve something special - if they were willing to work their way into the local hierarchy.
Now that I think of it, I've done volunteer gigs pretty much my entire adult life and none of it was easy. The most difficult work was the most rewarding. I know that sounds trite but imagine seeing a smile on a previously athletic disabled veteran ( with no legs) skiing for the first time ever, using an adaptive ski "sled). And I, who lifted him up countless times, while protecting his catheter and colostomy bag, got to be a part of his newest accomplishment. The work was exhausting, but what could be more rewarding?
I'll make you a bet - the more you invest in any volunteer work, the easier it will get. Not because the work itself gets easier but because the rewards will offset the work.
I readily confess admiration for the folk who give their hearts to odd ducks. I’ve made my stab volunteering at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. I remember Matthew 25 (“even as you did it for the least of these…”) but it hasn’t come easier over time.
Good that you've at least tried. I'm not sure working with really down and out folk ever gets easy. Maybe it does, but I'll admit that that's not where I've chosen to invest most of my volunteer hours. Some of us are more in our element sharing time and a couple of recently purchased lunches with a homeless guy. Others might for instance be great cooks who could share their skills in a soup kitchen and serve something special - if they were willing to work their way into the local hierarchy.
Now that I think of it, I've done volunteer gigs pretty much my entire adult life and none of it was easy. The most difficult work was the most rewarding. I know that sounds trite but imagine seeing a smile on a previously athletic disabled veteran ( with no legs) skiing for the first time ever, using an adaptive ski "sled). And I, who lifted him up countless times, while protecting his catheter and colostomy bag, got to be a part of his newest accomplishment. The work was exhausting, but what could be more rewarding?
I'll make you a bet - the more you invest in any volunteer work, the easier it will get. Not because the work itself gets easier but because the rewards will offset the work.
Thank you for your comment and your honesty