[Welcome to our annual Guest Writer Series, a time in which we are intentional in listening to other voices. Know that AR may/may not agree with the perspective expressed. Know, too, that agreement is secondary to learning from others. Meet Guest Writer #3!]
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A VOLUNTEER — What is that?
The usual definition of that word refers to someone who works for no pay and responds to a need. I think of volunteers who do that for me. My little Minnesota hometown has a volunteer Fire Department. Any of us who have been in a hospital have been escorted to our destination by a volunteer, and if admitted, our room has been readied by a volunteer while another brings us water, flowers, mail, etc. And all of us are connected to a person who has been or is a volunteer for the military to serve our country. My point is that we are all the beneficiaries of volunteers.
A VOLUNTEER — Who does that?
I think of the volunteers who inspire us, who are role models. There is my friend Craig who plants, waters, weeds, and harvests at a community garden where all the food from it is given to the needy. I think of a lady who wore out her thumbs knitting, so she decided to learn brailing, and puts textbooks and recipes into brail for the vision impaired. I remember a mentor who was bedridden who became a prayer warrior saying she could do that from her bed. My own parents upon retirement volunteered at the local hospital, Mom as a seamstress, and Dad, a large man, an orderly who could easily lift and turn patients, and is needed could speak German to a less than cooperative patient. The love of my life, as part of a Habitat for Humanity crew, in sweaty heat, pounded nails to build homes for people he would never meet.
A VOLUNTEER — Why not me?
So what about me? Do we volunteer, saying, “Yes, because it makes me feel good!” Well, I think that is a serendipity. I prefer to think of the Scriptural admonition, “To whom much is given much is required.” However, when we hear this, we define “much” by our bank account. But “much” has a far broader meaning. It can be a skill, a talent, our knowledge, our time. So, why volunteer? Because we can. Because we should. Because it makes a difference. Because it is the right thing to do.
Many years ago these “becauses” were impressed upon by two different sources, both of which were affirmed for my “because.” One came from a grad school professor who was a marvelous teacher. He asked us to keep in mind that everyone carries around an imaginary bucket and that in every encounter we either put something into the bucket or we take something out of that bucket. Volunteers fill buckets.
And then there are the words of the poet who wrote:
“Isn’t it strange that princes and kings and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
— R.S. Sharp
and common folk like you and me are builders for eternity?
To each is given a bag of tools, a shapeless mass and a book of rules
And each must make ere time has flown a stumbling-block or a stepping-stone.”
Volunteers build stepping-stones.
Respectfully…
DWL