Last week, I spent a Friday morning volunteering with World Relief, a Christian humanitarian organization that supports refugees in my town. A friend of mine—who works as their volunteer coordinator—had posted on Facebook that they needed help. So I signed up to play with the kids while their parents attended job skills training.

Now, I’ll be honest: entertaining little kids isn’t exactly my strength. But somehow, it ended up being the highlight of my week.

While I was there, I struck up a conversation with the man teaching the class. He shared that after retirement, he discovered a passion for helping formerly incarcerated individuals write resumes, apply for jobs, and practice interview skills. When I asked how he got connected with World Relief, he said:

“My wife and I take seriously the scripture that says, ‘Welcome the stranger.’”

That one sentence stuck with me.

Here was someone in the second half of life, using his time, skills, and passion to make a tangible difference. It reminded me of something I believe deeply:
We are all wired to contribute. To give where we can. To show up for others.

Sometimes we wait until retirement to give back. And that’s okay—it’s never too late to start. But what I loved about this man’s story is that service wasn’t new to him. He had found small ways to help throughout his life, so stepping into a bigger role in retirement felt like a natural next step.

And let’s be real—there will always be need in this world.

But here’s the good news: showing up doesn’t have to mean committing to something huge or starting a nonprofit. Most of the time, it’s the small acts that make a big impact. Things that fit into your life, your personality, and your current season.

A few weeks ago, I shared how “Action tames anxiety.” And it’s true. When the world feels heavy, taking even the smallest step forward—whether it’s a walk around the block or dropping off groceries—can bring calm, clarity, and connection.

You don’t have to fix everything. You just have to choose a few things that matter to you. That’s where purpose lives.

If you’re wondering where to start, here are some ideas. And if you’d love help discovering your “thing,” reach out—coaching women to uncover their unique way to serve is one of my favorite things to do.

A Few Simple Ways to Serve

In Your Neighborhood:

• Help a single mom or young adult with car repairs or errands

• Offer free babysitting so a couple can go on a date

• Visit or call an elderly neighbor who lives alone

• Drop off a meal or a cheerful plant to someone who’s struggling

• Offer rides to doctor’s appointments or the grocery store

In Education:

• Volunteer at a local school (classroom, library, lunchroom)

• Help a teacher with prep work, organizing supplies, or grading

• Tutor a student in reading or math

• Mentor a teen navigating life, college, or job prep

From Home:

• Write a note of encouragement

• Volunteer to do admin work for a small nonprofit (emails, spreadsheets, scheduling)

• Make phone calls or send emails to political leaders about causes you care about

• Offer tech help or social media support to a local org

• Share job leads or community resources online

With Your Wallet (or Your Platform):

• Pick up extra food and donate to a local food bank

• Give financially to a nonprofit doing great work

• Help a local organization with fundraising

• Promote a cause or organization on your social media

• Run a birthday fundraiser or donate your skills or time

Through Community Organizations:

• Serve meals at a shelter

• Support youth sports—coach, offer rides, or bring snacks

• Volunteer with a crisis center, food pantry, refugee org, or women’s shelter

• Join a service day through your church or community group

• Help with behind-the-scenes needs like newsletter writing or donation drives

Move for a Cause:

• Walk, run, or bike in a charity fundraiser

• Join a sports league that donates proceeds to nonprofits

• Invite your fitness group to raise money together for a cause you care about

With so many organizations facing funding cuts and increased need, your willingness to show up matters more than ever. You don’t have to do it all. Just do one thing. And then the next.

Need help figuring out where to start? Let’s talk. You have something meaningful to offer this world—and I’d love to help you discover what that looks like in this season of life.