Reaching Out to Others

I so want to get involved in giving my time to help others, but I don't know where to begin. I would love to be part of a body that helps each other and reaches out to those who need help, but as of right now God hasn't seen fit to have that in my life.

I have long term goals, God willing, but I want to get started now. I've wasted so many years being focused only on myself and my family. It's way past time to move on.

I don't know how people find time to devote to their families, their jobs, and reaching out to help others. It makes me so ashamed that I haven't done more. BUT I shouldn't compare myself to others. I did what I thought I had to do at the time. I did the best I could with what I knew for many years. Now it's time for a change.

Where to volunteer, how to help others - that is the question. I think right now that visiting some elderly people who don't have anyone in their lives might be where I want to go. But I'm not sure how to get started. I have had the number for a nursing home on my desk for over a week now - meaning to call. But maybe a shut-in would be better because they really don't have anyone - but how do I find them? Do I wait for God to show me someone? Is it up to me to initiate a move? I wish I knew. It brings to mind the parable of the stewards and the one who did nothing because he was afraid. Then again there's the school of thought that we don't get ahead of God - we wait on Him. But perhaps it's better that I make a move, take an action, take the chance on making a mistake of doing the wrong right thing, rather than doing nothing at all. It's such a dilemma.