I went on a service trip to New Orleans to help people who are still affected from the destruction left by Hurricane Katrina. Our group served at a variety of places. We cleaned trashed lots—where many illicit activities allegedly took place—worked on houses that needed fixing or maintenance, and helped at after school programs. I thought I would be working the whole time and that the work would make me miserable. I was right . . . I did work all the time. But I was also wrong; I was hardly miserable.
It is hard to be miserable while being around such amazing people. The people were awesome, funny, and all-around good. At one point in the week we were all sitting around making small talk with one another. I was just being myself and I realized how much things had changed from the beginning of the week. It is mind-blowing to me that we all became such good friends. I had expected to make two or three new friends, but I never expected them to accept me as I am. They became my family away from home; they kept me going and showed me what is possible when you work together. This experience made me so happy that I could barely control myself. Self-confidence has never been my strong suit, and now, thanks to this trip, I’m bursting with it!
I learned so much in the midst of all the hard work. I learned that people are better than I had given them credit for. I learned to be myself—because before this I would hold back my full personality and just tried to fit in with the crowd. Now I can be happy with who I am and not be afraid to show myself to others. In a nutshell, I learned the importance of both being myself and accepting others for who they are.
—Brendan
We are all called to serve Christ. Think back to a time or place where you have served. Now put yourself in the opposite role, and think about what it would have been like to receive the service you gave. Christ did the same sort of role reversal by coming to the earth as a meek and humble human.
Prejudice can be a pretty hard thing to overcome. Sometimes we think we know how something will turn out. How does going into a situation with a negative mindset affect the situation? What can you do to remain positive and open to new people and experiences?