Article - Feeling Useful to Other People

Many journalists and news personalities have made attempts to capture the impact the Indonesian tsunamis had on the people in that area. Most of the stories will just tear your heart out -- but not all. There are a few reports that will, instead, tug on your heartstrings. One such story is that of an American girl named Carolyn.

Carolyn Lipsick is a 10-year old young lady from the Miami, Florida area. So moved by the situation in Indonesia , Carolyn decided to take some action. According to the Associated Press report I read on cnn.com, Carolyn felt moved to set up some sort of a food stand in hopes she could raise some funds and help children hurt by the tsunami. When Carolyn's mother attempted to get permission from Miami- Dad e County to set up the lemonade stand, she was told there was a county-wide prohibition on roadside stands of any kind. Word of this setback spread, eventually reaching a state politician in Tallahassee. State Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher paid for Carolyn and her mother to come to Tallahassee and set up Carolyn's lemonade and cookie stand right outside of Mr. Gallagher's office in the capital building. The AP report stated that Carolyn (with a little help from Mr. Gallagher) made $500 her first day on the job. Not too bad, eh?

It's quite remarkable that a young lady such as Carolyn Lipsick would have such a desire to do something to help young people she'll likely never meet. But I have to say that what stuck with me the most was Carolyn's quote at the end of the article. "I feel like I've been useful to other people in other places." I don't know if she meant to say "useful" or not, but that really jumped out at me -- that by helping someone she felt useful.

There are times in all of our lives when we do not feel particularly useful. Thoughts come to mind such as, ìWhy am I here? No one would even notice if I were gone. What do I add to the mix of people and talents in this place?î Many poor decisions are often made in moments of questioning personal purpose. We'll stew and pout or we'll withdraw from the current circumstance, wondering why no one was willing to connect with us. Could it be that, in those moments when we question our usefulness, the focus is directed toward the wrong person? The focus is on "me" -- probably the last place it should be. Instead the focus should be shifted from "me" to "you". When I get busy serving "you," I don't have time to focus on my own insecurities, or whether or not I'm useful. And then a peculiar thing happens: by serving other people rather than myself, I realize my usefulness!

To those who are longing to discover their own usefulness, try serving someone else. Make an effort to meet someone's need, whatever it might be.

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." -- Jesus; Matthew chapter 10 and verse 42.

Feeling Useful to Other People

"By serving other people...I realize my usefulness!"