Yes I’ve been to jail. Several times actually. For three years I spent Wednesday nights visiting with incarcerated men. We discussed the big questions of life and practical ways for them to make wiser life choices.
But can I admit something to you? When they asked me to volunteer at the jail, I didn’t want to go!
I came-up with a long list of excuses not to volunteer: It made me uncomfortable. It was inconveniently far away. I’d miss saying good night to my kids. I’d be absent from the dinner table. And piles of work would still be waiting for me when I got home. I made a great case for not going!
After two months of hemming and hawing I hesitantly volunteered and you know what? I never regretted going!
Read on, and let me tell you why you should volunteer in an uncomfortable way.
The Paradox of Volunteering
Have you ever been behind the doors of a jail?
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“Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself.” Heb 13:3 NLT
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On my first visit I walked through the big iron door, heard the buzzer release the lock, and then felt the clunk as the heavy door shut behind me. The pit grew in my stomach as the guard walked us deeper and deeper into the cell block. The halls were bright white, but it felt dark.
Several clunks later we found ourselves in a small, spartan room off the housing block. We wondered if anyone would walk through the door to meet with us.
But they did come, and you know what? Each time those guys walked through the door they greeted us with excitement!
From week to week the faces might change, but it was like any other meeting you’ve been in. We’d shake hands. Exchange names. Chit-chat. And for those guys that repeatedly came, we caught-up.
Eventually, we’d sit down at the table and start our discussion. It was usually quite lively, these men were no wallflowers, they shared their opinions eagerly. Sometimes we listened to music and sang. Sometimes we told jokes. Sometimes we’d pray for their concerns and for their families. And just like that, it was time to go home.
Don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t easy being in the jail. Some discussions broke our hearts. We shared our stories and they shared theirs. Sometimes there were tears, sometimes laughter. The air was often heavy with anger, and always filled with remorse.
These men were broken in spirit. They knew they needed something bigger than themselves to move through their pain. Through their past. They hungered for wisdom that could change their future, and give them hope.
One vivid memory happened after we packed-up and were moving towards the door. One of the guys called out to us and said: “We just want you guys to know that we appreciate you coming here. We know that you’re taking time away from your families, and that must be hard. We want you to know that we pray for your families, and that you get home safely when you leave us. Thank you.”
No one has ever said anything more meaningful to me, and that’s what so crazy about volunteering: you think you’re giving something of value, but you end-up getting so much more in return.
Get Uncomfortable – It’s the Only Way!
I may be about to tell you something you don’t want to hear. I learned it from my experience at the jail: VOLUNTEER IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE WAY!
Exchange your comfortable places for uncomfortable places. Move out of your easy day-to-day routines into helping in an uncomfortable way. Test yourself emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally.
Whatever you choose to do, demand more of yourself. The challenge will make you grow in unexpected ways.
There are endless ways to help those in need: the widows, the orphans, the incarcerated, the poor and the sick. You don’t even have to go far from your house. Look around, pay attention, they live in your neighborhoods. Maybe even next door.
Be Wise & Successful…
1. Helping is a gift. You’ll be surprised at how much you get out of it, and how good it will make you feel. (Look for my article next week on why volunteering leads to happiness!)
2. Help in an uncomfortable way. Do something different. Shake it up a little. Take some time to think about the following ideas, and how you can:
- Serve meals in a homeless shelter.
- Pack food at a food bank.
- Assist the elderly with local errands and daily tasks.
- Tutor a young child in a struggling school district.
- Visit the sick and lonely in a local nursing home.
- Lead educational or spiritual development courses in the jail.
- Serve as an advocate for at-risk youth.
- Travel on a work trip to educate those less fortunate or to build homes or clean water drinking wells.
- Prepare home cooked meals for men and women at a local armed forces base.
3. Volunteer with a friend or a group of friends. Don’t do it by yourself. You will create bonds with the people you volunteer with. You will also learn from their experiences. So instead of going out on a Friday night with a bunch of friends, organize a group and go dish out meals at a homeless shelter. Or make it a family affair, and spend a Saturday afternoon packing food at a food bank.
You hear it all the time: you get more out of volunteering than what you put in. It really is true. Life becomes more significant when you help those that are less fortunate than yourself.
And the best part about it is, you’ll want to do it again.
Do you want to live a happier, more successful life? I’m Greg, that’s my passion, and that’s what I explore on my blog. Read More…