The Spirit of Service

Why is it that disasters bring out the best of us? Why don't we give the best of us when there is not disaster? I am pondering this point in the wake of the California wildfires. With more than 2,000 homes completely destroyed and countless more damaged, it is truly heartwarming to see neighbor helping neighbor, stranger helping stranger. As I've watched the news, I've seen many stories of many grateful people who tell of the kindnesses of friends, neighbors, firefighters, and strangers amidst their grief.

You see the "rally" attitude again and again. After Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Andrew, the tsunami, the fires. I know personally of church meetings in which the prepared sermon was set aside and the meeting was spent organizing efforts to feed, clothe, and shelter disaster victims. Donations flood the Red Cross and other relief agencies. People set aside selfishness and biases to help a neighbor in need.

I love that spirit of service, and I'm so glad it still exists and can be called upon in times of need. It makes me proud to be part of our society.

I feel sad, however, that it seems to come out only in the most dire of circumstances. I'm glad the sense of rallying around our neighbor still exists and emerges when most needed. But I hope it doesn't lie dormant the rest of the time. I hope it emerges for even small scale needs, like when a neighbor could use help raking leaves or shoveling snow. I hope it emerges when a neighbor has a new baby or loses a loved one. I hope it emerges when someone's child struggles in school or struggles socially. I hope that spirit of rallying isn't dormant at all, but is exercised daily and weekly in our small spheres of influence. Then the "service" muscles will be strong and up to the task when the need is in a bigger sphere.