Joyful Service: Nurturing Family Bonds through Passion and Purpose
In a world where busyness and jam-packed calendars often take precedence, the concept of service is commonly seen as a burden… an obligation rather than a source of joy. However, for families seeking to deepen their bonds with one another while also strengthening their faith, viewing service as a joyful endeavor can lead to profound growth. By infusing each family member’s personal passions into acts of service, you begin to transform good deeds into opportunities for both family bonding and spiritual development.
Pope Francis agrees. During a conference at the Vatican last October, he said “Without joy, faith shrinks into an oppressive and dreary thing; the saints are not ‘sourpusses,’ but men and women with joyful hearts, open to hope.”[1]
If a child holds a special place in their heart for animals, volunteering at an animal shelter can evolve into something deeply meaningful. By collecting needed supplies, playing with lonely animals, and cleaning kennels, the family demonstrates love in action, embracing the principles of kindness, selflessness, and respect for all life upheld by our faith. By engaging in such service, the family not only deepens their bond with one another but also forges a stronger connection with the divine love underlying all existence.
Consider a different scenario: a parent who finds solace in daily walks at a local park. Envision this parent and their children joining forces to clear away litter and debris (safely, of course) to enhance the park not only for themselves, but for everyone’s benefit. Beyond the immediate result of a cleaner environment, this endeavor nurtures a sense of responsibility and stewardship for God’s creation. Again, this intertwining of service with personal passion transforms a potentially mundane task into a collective mission, nurturing family unity in a meaningful way. It provides a chance to reflect on the blessings we have while honoring the Earthly responsibilities we hold as Christians.
With hearts united in purpose and passion, rather than a sense of uninspired obligation, families can truly embody joyful service and experience growth that extends horizontally across family bonds, and vertically in their individual relationships with God.
Practical tip: Praying together as a family is a great way to enhance this type of service. Whoever chose that day’s service activity can lead the family in a short prayer, either before, after, or both! For the person who chose that day’s activity, this offers a chance to thank their family members for their support, and to thank God for the opportunity to combine selfless action and joy.
