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Servant Meal

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“Servant Meal!” Dad calls out and we all know the rules for the coming dinner. No one is allowed to serve themselves. You may put your food in your mouth, but that is all. Someone else picks your food, puts it on your plate and serves your condiments. You can’t even ask for what you need or want. Why not? Well. . . because you are a servant, too, of course! A servant never asks to be served.

It is something fun we do as a family. The servant meal began as an activity at a youth retreat many years ago. When we saw the fun involved, as well as the spiritual application, we grabbed hold of the idea. The children enjoy serving each other and finding creative ways to make their needs known. The joy of serving often overflows into other parts of the day, which is our ultimate goal.

I have noticed that bloggers are a lot like the children sitting at my table. Words are set before us on a daily basis. There is no lack of posts to choose from. What bloggers need are for their words to be heard and to hear the words of others. How can the needs of so many be met when the table is so large and the meal so overwhelming? Just like in my children, I have observed various personalities in bloggers. There are the quiet bloggers who come to the table once or twice a week and don’t stay long when they do. There are the party bloggers who have a lot to say, a lot of places to go, and a lot of people to meet. I have also noticed very serious bloggers who have a lot to say and a lot of business to tend to, but they do not have much time for dessert.

All personalities have a purpose and make blogging interesting. There is one type of blogger that stands out from the crowd,the servant blogger. She comes to the table as much as she can, but she is often busy in the kitchen, working behind the scenes. At the table, she only speaks when she has something meaningful to say. When she does speak, everyone listens. She knows how to make other bloggers feel special, serving up what each one needs. The servant blogger rarely leaves before having dessert because that’s the best time to share a good laugh and make someone’s day. If you haven’t seen her in a while, you can be sure she’s busy serving her family, church or community.

You know that because. . . well, that is who she is. While I don’t think it’s necessary to have a servant meal at the blogging table, I do think there is something to be learned from the servant blogger. If we follow her example, blogging can be just as much fun as the servant meal is in our home. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that small bloggers need your service as well as well-known bloggers. While there is value in serving those you look up to, the heart of Jesus is to serve the least among you. Here are some ideas to get you started.  

In Social Networking

Share a post if you gained something from it, be it a lesson learned or a good belly laugh. Spread the word when something exciting happens to another blogger. Befriend new bloggers and help them find more friends. (#FF on Fridays is a great way to do this on Twitter.) Remember your manners. Say, “Please, thank you, your welcome and I’m sorry.”  

On Your Blog

Respond to comments. Sometimes just saying thank you is enough. Quote other bloggers and link to the post you quote from. Feature favorite posts of the week or introduce blogs with a kind review. Invite lesser known bloggers to write a guest post. (Make sure you know the blogger fairly well and trust her to write with integrity.)  

Behind the Scenes

Offer to help new bloggers by answering any questions they have or directing them to answers. Leave friendly and encouraging comments. Send a private message if you notice something that might embarrass the author, like a bad typo or misinformation. Support business bloggers by clicking on or purchasing through blog ads.  

These are just a few ideas. Do you have more? How have fellow bloggers served you?  

Image Source: Microsoft Office

Tereasa is the author of His Pen on My Heart, where she blogs about freedom in Christ, healing from spiritual abuse and raising special children. She is a story teller, painting pictures with words and drawing the reader close to her heart. Her desire is to encourage those who are hurting and point all to Christ, the healer of our broken hearts.

Comments

  1. I LOVE this post, Tereasa:)  What a great analogy. And thank you for the awesome idea! I can’t wait to put it into practice in our home! Big virtual hugs, sweet sister, and I hope you are well-rested from all those yummy tortillas you have made!

  2. First, I love the idea of a servant meal!! That would be great for my family to try. I’ve noticed my children are becoming more and more demanding and pushing to go first. This might help shift our focus to serving others more and ourselves less.

    Second, I love the application to blogging!! I’m not sure which blogger I am but I can definitely learn from the servant blogger. And now I’m off to apply what I’ve learned … sharing on Twitter, FB and pinning! 😀

    •  I’m so glad you like the ideas. We find the servant meal a very fun way to redirect selfish behaviours!

  3. Hi Tereasa! I’ve been trying to do a social media “fast” on the weekends, at least through the summer while my college kids are home, but I couldn’t resist hopping over to read your post. (btw – so excited to see you guesting for Allume!)

    LOVE IT. Love your points and love the emphasis on serving each other. In the couple of months that I’ve “known” you (virtually!) you’ve been a special, God-sent encouragement to me. Thank you for your friendship AND for sharing such great tips!!

  4. I’ve never heard of a “servant meal” before.  What a great idea!  And I love how you likened this to blogging, in how we as sisters can serve one another in blogging.  My hope and desire is that I would serve others as the Lord gives me the words to write.

    •  God is fulfilling your hope. I know I speak for many when I say that you are a blogger with a servant heart!

  5. Thank you for your words, Tereasa. The concept of a the servant blogger is wonderful! As a smaller blogger, I have been inundated with information on how to grow, market, etc., and it causes me to think hard about the goals and purpose for my blog. There is a lot of advice out there that doesn’t sit well with me, but the concept of generosity in blogging does. What a refreshing take! Thanks again!

  6. Tereasa~so exciting to see your words share here! This post is such a great reminder! I have been thinking a lot lately about how I can better serve in the blogosphere and have been trying to implement many of the things you mentioned, more frequently!! This was a blessing to read, I pray hearts are stilled by these words 😉

    Oh and the servant meal?! I LOVE it!

  7. The servant meal is a wonderful concept for a family….or even close friends. (I’m going to pin it as a reminder.)  What a great way to get our heads in the right spot.  Whether we want to admit it or not….we are selfish people.  And our culture encourages it too.  
    As a new blogger, I’m not sure what kind of blogger I am, but I do take time to comment when I read posts as often as possible.  Thanks for your encouragement to keep doing it.  And thank you for such a thoughtful piece.
    Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

    • I appreciate your enthusiasm, Diane. I think you are right. It probably would be fun to have a servant meal with friends!

  8. I needed this. No, you don’t understand I *NEEDED* this. As I type, I’m in Florida at my brother and sister in law’s house. She has cancer and I’m here to help. I’ve been standing on my head for the last two weeks with words and phrases and emotions and so much of what God is doing in helping me learn how to be BEING…with Him wherever and however he asks….and I’ve had no time to blog. It’s been killing me. I’m so new at this and I often think I’m failing but here it is…the answer is in your post above–I can only come to the table with what He gives me–when it’s ready and when the time is right. I’ve thought well, maybe I just need to throw biscuits and hors d’oeuvres out there to keep folks interested …but that wouldn’t be true to the calling I’ve been given.

    So thanks so much ….I saved reading this for a few days when I’d have time to really read it…and God knew why..He knew where I’d be…and He always does.

    Lorretta
    Dancingonthedash@wordpress.com

    • Hi there…MsLorretty–As someone who has walked through the cancer journey, I would like to assure you that you “being” there is a treasured and precious gift.  Not that I have all the answers, but I was blessed with sharing a guest blog post for a friend.  I shared a few thoughts on walking with someone who has cancer.  Hope the article blesses you: http://susanstilwell.com/2012/07/first-fridays-kim-vander-poel/

      •  Isn’t God good? I mean here I am, there you are and He is here in our midst! This is actually my second physical walking with another who’s battled the “C” word. My mother passed away 10 years ago from lung cancer and that was tough…we barely could live together and there I was trying to help her die with dignity. I’d do it differently.

        Now..I have some practical suggestions for my sister in law. She is headed out for another treatment tomorrow and I’m here to clean house. I brought flowers to place all around for her and I’ll get out and assemble a “blue bag” from the dollar store! Love that ! God bless you Kim!

        •  What a blessing to see two women serving right here on the Allume blog!  God bless both of you as you seek God’s true heart for your ministries on and off line.

  9. Love the servant meal idea! I think this is something that my family will enjoy when we get together as well. 

    It is so true what you’ve written about the different type of bloggers and how to be good “servants” to them. It doesn’t take much to say “hello”, “good job” or “love what you’ve written”. Some of the best blogs I’ve read are by small bloggers who may only get a comment or two on their post. It’s much easier to strike up a conversation and build community in these little corners of the web where their voice – and yours – stands out among all the noise. 🙂

  11. tereasa…this is beautiful…how the body should be…no matter where the body forms. just lovely…

  12. I love your advice here. And the idea of the servant meal- we’ll have to try that one. Blessings as you blog with a servant’s heart- I am inspired by that very thought!

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