Everyone likes it when people remember their birthday. It’s fun to have someone say, “Happy birthday!” or for somebody to send them a present. We expect that family members will remember our birthday, but isn’t it fun when somebody outside your family remembers your birthday?
I don’t know where I got the idea, but about five years ago I started keeping track of people’s birthdays. When someone’s birthday would roll around, I would prepare a small gift and a card. Normally I would write something along the lines of “Happy Birthday. May God bless you. Rose.”
As for the gifts, I just bought things at thrift stores or I made little things.
You would have been surprised. Sometimes when I gave people presents, you would think that they hadn’t ever gotten a present in their lives. They were thrilled.
This is fun and easy way to bless people. I guarantee you, if you ask people their birthday, they’re not going to hit you over the head. People love to know that someone cares and remembers little things like birthdays.
Cards
I love making cards. Paper, scissors, glue, embellishments, stickers, stamps, all of it. I love playing around with paper and making something beautiful.
One of the things that I love to do send cards to people on their anniversaries, on their birthdays, when they’re sick, at Thanksgiving, or at Christmas. I make a bunch of cards, and then when someone has and anniversary or gets sick, I can just write them a letter.
This is a really fun way to bless people. If you would like to do something like this, start out by just making some cards, and then as the occasion comes up write people encouraging notes. And if you get bored, write a letter of encouragement to your pastor, small group leader, or parents. I guarantee you they will appreciate it.
Teach a Class
If you have sewing, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, or crafting skills, you could help others by teaching them how to do these things. You could have once a month meetings for six months and teach them the basics. Most people love it, and it’s great for forming relationships.
Baking Ministry
If you’re not good at crafts, but love to hang out in the kitchen, here’s an idea for you. When a mother has a baby in your church, make her a meal. If a new family moves into your neighborhood, you could welcome them with a plate of cookies. Or when someone gets sick, you could take him or her some soup.
There are so many ways that this idea can be applied, but find one that you like and do it. Trust me there is never a lack of people who like homemade food.
Prayer Shawls
Prayer shawls go back to Biblical times. Men wore these in Biblical times, but over time women have come to wear these as well. It’s almost a sign, if you will, that you are praying. On Mothers day 2009 I (with a little help from my sister Sarah) gave every mother in our church a prayer shawl. The women were very pleased. Hopefully it made their mother’s day a little bit more special.
It’s a great gift to give to mother or to any sister in Christ.
The great thing is, they’re as easy to make as a scarf and are a great gift.
Ministry To Elderly People
One of the things that this generation takes for granted is its older generation. We visit grandparents, but many times we miss out on other elderly people in our world.
I have an elderly neighbor that I work for once a week. She tells me stories and has things from all over the world in her house. I consider her a friend.
What about you? Do you want to get involved in an elderly persons life?
There are so many ways that we can help them, but here are a few to help you get started.
Make a meal for an elderly couple once a week.
Volunteer at a nursing home.
Take some cards or other handmade gifts to them.
Offer to clean their house once a week.
Volunteer with a shut-ins program.
Make some time to talk to them (this can be the most important one).
