Sweet cherries are not grown in Alberta, Canada, so when my husband and I travel to the neighbouring province of British Columbia, we sometimes buy a 20-pound box of them. We can't eat the whole boxful, so I like to bottle them for winter enjoyment. Most of the cherries grown commercially come from the Okanagan, a warm and dry region in the centre of the province. Since we go through this area on our way to visit friends on Vancouver Island, it's easy to pick up a box at one of the many fruit stands along the highway.

When we arrived at our friends' house one July, Terry carried in the box of cherries that we had bought, to keep them cool in the basement. For several days, we were busy, and I didn't really think about our fruit. "Do you want me to process your cherries for you?" asked my friend, Marion. She and I have been friends since we were teenagers; we are kindred spirits. I would sew clothes and make gifts for her children, and she would share her wisdom when I asked a multitude of child-rearing questions. I was overwhelmed by her offer and tried to protest. Bottling cherries seemed like a big job to me, especially for a friend who was hosting us as well. Marion was determined, however.

"I love you, and I want to do this for you," was her reply. Gratefully, I accepted. We ended up with a couple of dozen jars of beautiful cherries to take home.

1 Peter 4:10 – God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (NLT)

Not only were the already-bottled cherries an unexpected gift in my eyes, but more important was my friend's gift of service to me. Marion certainly served others well, right at the point of their need.

God has built into each one of us a spiritual gift — or sometimes several — a motivating force in our lives. We tend to act according to these gifts. They shape our entire personalities. They are not to be hugged to ourselves, though. Gifts are meant to be given, to benefit others, and for God's glory.

Even though I've highlighted an example of the type of person who loves to serve, it's important to note that we are all encouraged to serve, despite any other motivational gift that we may have. We can't sit back and think, It's not my gift, I'll let someone else do the work. Jesus is our prime example, as He washed the dirty feet of His disciples, a job that only the lowliest of servants was to do. We all need to follow Jesus' example and serve each other.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus' outstanding example of serving others. May we be quick to see needs around us, and step in to meet them. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.