by RTF Staff Writer Derek Hanisch

I stood outside the scary, imposing building. I did not want to go in. Not at all. But I had to, it could not be helped.

In order to get into the social work major at my college, I had to complete 10 hours of volunteer work in that building. I had to go into the nursing home.

I really did not want to do my hours. Until I met Miriam.

Miriam was both deaf and mute. We played checkers together, and let me tell you, he was a hoot. He’d throw up his hands and grumble when I took one of his pieces; when he took one of my pieces, he’d laugh at me with a look of joy on his face. Soon I started to look forward to my visits to the nursing home, to see Miriam.

The whole experience taught me a lesson: attitude is very important. When we go into a situation not wanting to be there, a lot of times we won’t get anything out of it.

If, however, we have an open mind, there’s no telling how we’re going to be affected. Often times, even when we go into a situation thinking we’re there to help – me in the nursing home for instance – we find that others affect us just as much.

There is a verse that’s good to keep in the back of your mind when you’re doing something that you don’t want to. 1 Corinthians 10:31 states: “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (NASB).

Next time you have to do something you don’t want to, keep an open mind, realize that you’re doing it for the glory of God, and persevere. You never know what lesson God is waiting to teach you.