Guest Writer: Kathleen Kwasniewski
Often, we forget how important our interaction with our community is. We get so involved with our friends and family, that we neglect to see the needs around us. Both apostles John and James tell us that we should put actions to our words. (1 John 3:18 and James 2:14-17)
Not too long ago, my daughter’s dog uncovered the nest of a wild rabbit in their backyard. In the nest were seven baby bunnies barely two days old. The terrified mother rabbit took off and did not return. My daughter’s heart went out to these fragile, vulnerable creatures and she and my granddaughter began a journey that cost them physically, emotionally, and financially. Physically, because like most infants, the seven little bunnies needed to be fed at all hours of the day and night. Many hours were spent in research and frantically calling wildlife shelters. Emotionally, because of the bunny’s fragile state they knew their probability of survival was low. Financially, because of the cost of the bed and bedding, syringes for feeding, and specialized formula.
While researching the care of these itty-bitty creatures they were able to make an appointment with a wonderful woman who had dedicated her life to helping and rehabilitating injured or abandoned wildlife. That meeting was one of those “God sent” encounters. Not only did she show them how to care for the kits and the proper equipment to use, but she spoke to my granddaughter’s heart that was breaking. This woman, with over fifty years of experience who knew the bunnies would not survive because of their very complex needs in their first few weeks of life, turned to my granddaughter, looked fully into her eyes and spoke to her heart. She said, “even if none of them survive, you tried. Most people, including shelters, won’t even try. You tried, when no one else would.” Her words encouraged my granddaughter’s heart to keep trying wherever and whenever she saw a need.
Community involvement is much like that. It is seeing a need and doing your best to help. You may not change the world by helping someone, but your heart will be changed forever.
Jesus said it this way:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40 NIV)
One of the requirements for the OSSD is for students to earn 40 hours of Community Involvement. Learn more about this requirement here.
