Advent - Week 1, Day 2: The Message of Hope

What2Say2Say? Yesterday our Youth group from church did community service at The Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS). It was a different kind of service than what HHS was used to. Instead of cleaning the cages or walking dogs or spreading mulch in the dog park we took lunch for the staff and volunteers who were working during the Thanksgiving weekend. On the menu was homemade soups, refreshing salads, and slow-cooked pulled pork sandwiches.  I've never seen a more happy, grateful group of people than what we saw yesterday. Amongst the comments I heard were, "we never get to sit down and have lunch, we're always so busy" and, "This sure beats the cold sandwich I usually bring" and, "now I don't have to drive to (insert fast food restaurant I will not name). My favorite comment, though, was this one; "Most people who want to volunteer here want to work with the animals, this is the first time a group has offered to do something for those who work with the animals." As the staff and volunteers sat and talked and laughed and ate there was a general feeling of, well, relaxation. Often we forget to serve those who serve the ones who take care of others; the caretakers of our world. These are the people who sit with our aged and make them smile and give them the much needed human companionship everyone needs. These are the people who are foster parents to the youth and young children that need a stable home and the love of a family. These are the nurses who come to visit you in the hospital room, five minutes at a time, and make you laugh, or listen as you complain about the food. These are the people who bring hope to those who may not have any. We need to be caretakers of the world and the people around us. It's really not that difficult - just remember that HOPE is Healing Others with Prayer and Encouragement.