Last Friday, Mei was tired after a long week of classes. She had assignments waiting, messages to reply to, and all she wanted was to rest in her room. When her friend invited her to join a volunteer visit at a community center, she almost said no. “I’m too busy,” she thought. Staying in felt easier.
But she decided to go.
When Mei arrived, she saw students working together to prepare food, organize supplies, and welcome the children with warm smiles. Some were helping with games, some were listening to stories, and others were simply sitting and talking with people who needed company.
At first, Mei felt unsure. She wondered if she could really help.
But soon, a little girl asked her to join a drawing activity. Another child proudly showed her a picture he had made. One of the volunteers smiled and thanked Mei for being there.
Little by little, Mei felt her tiredness fade.
As the afternoon passed, she discovered something unexpected. Serving others gave her joy. It reminded her that life is not only about deadlines and responsibilities, but also about kindness, purpose, and connection. She returned home with a full heart, new friendships, and fresh motivation for the week ahead.
Mei remembered a saying: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” She also thought of the Bible verse: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…”
Sometimes, the energy we need does not come from resting more, but from giving more. Maybe the next opportunity to serve is exactly what you need.
Questions
- Why did Mei almost decide not to join the volunteer visit?
- What unexpected benefits did Mei receive from serving others?
- What do the quote and Bible verse teach us about using our time and gifts to help others?