Gift of Time - October Love Challenge
Welcome to the second month of our Love Challenge! How did you do last month with your Compliment Cards? It isn’t too late to send some compliments, if you haven’t already. And, it is time to jump into our October Love Challenge – giving the gift of your time to those nearby.
From our theme verse this summer, we learned in 1 Corinthians 13:4 that “love is patient.” I don’t know about you, but I rarely feel patient! Many times we are moving so fast that we miss opportunities to show love to those who may live near us or that we may cross paths with often; some of these people may just need a friend. How cool would it be if all of our Greystone girls, all over the country, took the time to slow down and spend some intentional time with just ONE person this month…that would be over 1850 ways of showing love from our campers alone!
So how can you put love into practice by giving your gift of time? Here are some suggestions for this month:
Think about some elderly friends you haven’t talked to in a while.
- Have a grandparent that lives far away? Take the time to Facetime with him/her, and instead of rushing through the conversation, think of some questions you can ask your grandparent before hand.
- Interview someone elderly that you know (maybe a neighbor?) about something in the past you would want to learn more about. For example, ask this person about what school was like for them when they were in your same grade, or about how they learned to drive a car, or about what they used to love to eat when they were a kid.
Another option, think about someone in your class that is maybe new to school or doesn’t usually play with you or doesn’t have anyone to sit with at lunch. Think about sharing your time with them by inviting them to do something with you. Include them at your lunch table or in the game you are playing that day.
Finally, have a neighbor you don’t know well or you haven’t seen in a while? This month, try to spend some time with him or her (just check to make sure it is okay with your parents first). It can be a little awkward when you don’t know someone, so why don’t you try one of these ideas to break the ice:
- Bake some cookies and take them over.
- Whip up a batch of homemade apple butter with your family and deliver it.
- Invite your neighbors over for dinner – you could even order pizza!
- Take a glass of lemonade on a hot afternoon or hot cider on a cold afternoon.
- Leave a fun set of treats on their doorstep (like snacks and drinks) to surprise them.
- Write a nice message at the end of their driveaway in sidewalk chalk for them to read (something like “thanks for being the best neighbors!”)
Having a hard time meeting some of your neighbors? One of the best things you can do is to play in your front yard or take a short walk down your street – you’re bound to run into someone. My pastor at our church always mentions that October is the perfect month for meeting your neighbors because of Halloween – what other holiday allows you to randomly knock on your neighbors’ doors and chat for a little bit…give it a shot!
We hope you will try to spend time with one person you don’t know well or you haven’t seen in a while, specifically thinking of people who may need an extra friend.
Enjoy this month’s Love Challenge. See you here again next month!