It's Spring and everything is new and fresh. Flowers are budding and trees are starting to bear fruit. God's beauty is bursting forth in brilliant colors everywhere. Everyone is taking off those winter clothes and many of us are feeling more energized. We are experiencing a stirring in our spirit to do something new! Something adventurous and different from our current monotonous day-in, day-out perfunctory routine. Let me offer a few suggestions.

How about volunteering in your community or church? There are a plethora of charities, senior citizen organizations, nursing homes and youth organizations that need your gifts, talents, time and funds. There is nothing like the joy of sharing and serving others. The benefits for the giver and receiver can make an indelible imprint that could change your outlook on life forever.

To see smiling faces because you provided a meal to homeless children, to read scripture and sing hymns with an elderly person, or to have a young person hit a home run because you helped them learn to swing the bat better is so fulfilling. "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required in return," Luke 12:48. God expects us to pay it forward. We are blessed to be a blessing!

Below I offer a few organizations that are always in need of support, funds and physical help.

• Dress for Success is a global non-profit agency that helps women get back to the workforce by providing business attire and a network of support & career development tools. They could use your donations of slightly used clothing, help in their clothing store, or maybe sharing interviewing skills training. All of these gestures would be greatly appreciated.
• Meals on Wheels (MoW) provides meals for those who are unable to grocery shop or prepare meals for themselves. But it is more than that, to go to the homes of MOW clients and give them a warm meal and a kind word is like giving them tangible evidence of God's love. Many MoW clients are homebound and don't get to see or talk to people. Your presence allows them to have outside communication and as well we get to see and report back if they are doing fine or if they may need medical attention.
• Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and fulfills dreams to those who need a helping hand. With an affordable home families can become stronger and stable. Habitat for Humanity builds communities, one house at a time, to the astronomical number of 6.8 million homes to date, worldwide! With a secure home, families have more money to spend on food, medicine, education, childcare and other necessities. If you think you are not qualified nor desire to climb on roofs or do carpentry there is something for everyone on the worksites to do. Even serving lunch and having water and snacks available to those doing the physical labor is a help. The work is plentiful but the laborers are few.

Check in your communities, there is never a shortage of places to volunteer. Especially check the schools, youth sports teams, and nursing homes and hospitals. There is no greater exhilaration than being a blessing to others. Do something new and different and help those who need a helping hand…I promise you won't regret it!

God's promise, "Giveaway your life, you'll find your life given back, but not merely given back-given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity," Luke 6:38.