P
Peace-bwu
Guest
I am an military wife. We live on base, are members of the base chapel, all our friends are military members. I have young children and very little time to volunteer my time so choose wisely. Over the 5 years we have been here I have found that my time is of the most use with the Squadron Wives club. I make meals and take them to families who are experiencing loss, illness or a new baby. I make cookies for the USO and lend support to all the wives with words of kindness, and phone calls and letters or cookies while their husbands are deployed. We volunteer for Christmas and Easter parties, raise funds, etc.
My husband came home a few days ago and told me I needed to make a list of all the things I have done for the squadron over the past year or so because I am up for an award. I immediately felt uncomfortable with this. Although I have taught CCD (AKA: RE) and am now a sub and assistant for CCD, my work for the squadron wives group has been where all my charitable volunteerism has gone over the past 4 years. Most of the women are devout Catholic or Protestant, so it has been a wonderful way to support the families of my immediate circle and we have had prayer circles and have even witnessed a few miracles.
It is nice to be recognized, and I know they have the best of intentions but I am not doing this to receive credit or awards, and honestly do not keep a tally of everything I have done. It made me wonder if I am truly serving God the way I thought I was, or if I am wasting my time on earthly reward? The Air Force community is run by reward, medals, promotions, etc, But usually wives do work from their own good will and desire to make things easier for other families.
I decided to ignore the “award” and not write out what all I have done, so they will probably choose another lady.
I am curious about other people’s opinions on this matter. Has anyone received an award for their charitable work or church service and felt uncomfortable with it ? Am I right to feel this way? I don’t want to be using the little bit of time I have for charity to be self serving, but I also feel strongly that everyone should make their own little corner of the world better.
My husband came home a few days ago and told me I needed to make a list of all the things I have done for the squadron over the past year or so because I am up for an award. I immediately felt uncomfortable with this. Although I have taught CCD (AKA: RE) and am now a sub and assistant for CCD, my work for the squadron wives group has been where all my charitable volunteerism has gone over the past 4 years. Most of the women are devout Catholic or Protestant, so it has been a wonderful way to support the families of my immediate circle and we have had prayer circles and have even witnessed a few miracles.
It is nice to be recognized, and I know they have the best of intentions but I am not doing this to receive credit or awards, and honestly do not keep a tally of everything I have done. It made me wonder if I am truly serving God the way I thought I was, or if I am wasting my time on earthly reward? The Air Force community is run by reward, medals, promotions, etc, But usually wives do work from their own good will and desire to make things easier for other families.
I decided to ignore the “award” and not write out what all I have done, so they will probably choose another lady.
I am curious about other people’s opinions on this matter. Has anyone received an award for their charitable work or church service and felt uncomfortable with it ? Am I right to feel this way? I don’t want to be using the little bit of time I have for charity to be self serving, but I also feel strongly that everyone should make their own little corner of the world better.