When Service becomes Love: Remembering a Life that changed Humanity

One of the most common love languages that we see today is acts of service. We are a pretty independent race, but if we’re being honest, we all need a little help. Something to lean on, or someone to share the burden with when things get overwhelming. When serving comes from the inside, it doesn’t feel like a chore; instead, it blooms from a place of compassion and empathy. This September 5th is recognized as International Charity Day.

And when we talk about charity, a notable example known worldwide is Mother Teresa. She has shown how humility, kindness, patience, and faith can make a genuine difference. Her work throughout her life reflected that it wasn’t about knowing someone, or having the resources, or even thinking it could be done by someone else. She stepped up because there was still love to be shared with the people around her. We, as a world on International Charity Day, celebrate her, and though we remember her accomplishments, let us take time to acknowledge how she stepped up for those who needed it.

So what’s stopping us?

Barriers to service:

1. Belief that someone else can step up

When others are around to help, we feel less personally obligated to get involved in a situation that needs our attention.

2. Lack of connection

Often, because we don’t know someone or we don’t connect, it can be used as an excuse not to help out.

3. Lack of resources to help someone out

The idea that we don’t have anything to offer is often rooted in the belief that everything we have can only be used by ourselves.

4. Ignorance

 If they’re not helping, neither am I.

Service: Reflected in Action

But consider this. One of the most famous quotes used worldwide, derived from the Bible, is ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mother Teresa lived by this motto in life. Just as we know that we should be treated with kindness and care, shouldn’t we treat others the same, too? We expect the goodness that we show to be returned to us in kind. Society is built on co-operation. If we don’t walk in tandem with each other, we stumble and fall with no balance.

You may be the closest thing a person may have to comfort or relief at certain points in their life. So be it for them. Show up and extend a hand.

Efforts to lend a hand can include :

1. Everyday acts of kindness:
   • Listen when someone needs to talk
   • Give compliments
   • Help someone with a difficult task
   • Include others who feel left out or alone.

2. Give freely:
   • Donate money or goods to those who need it.
   • Support local businesses.

3. Educate and empower:
   • Make a stand against injustice
   • Raise awareness on important topics
   • Advocate for change

In this up-and-coming society, service is often attributed to gain in return. If I were to invest my time and energy in something for you, I would need to receive something in return. However, service isn’t lost to the world yet. It lingers around because we crave a touch of genuineness in a world of otherwise. Today on International Charity Day, remember, every act of service, no matter how small, has the power to spark change so never underestimate the difference you can make