Volunteering Chair Yoga Teacher

I am so honoured to be a part of this loving community of volunteers at Wesley Mission’s School for Seniors. Here, fellow Yoga teacher, Crystal (Founder of Smileyoway) and I get together for the thanksgiving event and volunteer awards. We had such a blessed time. It was so rewarding to hear of the work of amazing volunteers and how their effort changes others.

For me, volunteering is not just about “giving back”. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve and get much fulfilment from it. People often ask me why I do it. Well, it is for the love of people and because it’s so rewarding for my soul.

This year, every Friday, it has been the most rewarding to come out of teaching my yoga class to the school for seniors students there. There have been challenging moments and painful times. Even times that make me wonder whether I am built for volunteer work. But walking alongside the church, I am reminded of Jesus’ steadfastness in serving His people. I am reminded of loving people who are hard to love. I have learned what it means to hold appropriate boundaries and gate out danger. I have learnt a fine balance between opening the gate to serve willingly and joyfully and closing the gate to avoid resentment and bitterness.  Most weeks, Friday is my favourite day. Not just because it’s the end of the week (because, frankly for me, it isn’t anyways as I minister and teach on Sundays). But Friday brings a breath of fresh air from my volunteer experience. Every Friday is different. But every Friday is rewarding in some way. 

Jesus gave us the command to “love your neighbour as you love yourself” (Mark 12:31). No better place, means, ways, time and people to do so than to serve as volunteer at Wesley Mission.

Will this post nudge you a little to think about areas in your local community that you can serve? Maybe a volunteer role or just something you can do to ‘give back’?