How can I serve God while I am housebound?

parsley · Feb 17, 2014

Prayer, for sure.

What about moderating for this forum? I am not in a position to ask you, but you can offer your services to CF and see what they say.

I have learned the hard way that trying to help people where they don't see a need ... is not time well spent. Find the need admitted first, then figure out how you will address it.

Our women's association made pillowcases for people, prayed over them and then gave them to people who were ill, relocating, or going through a rough time. It was a very comforting gesture. The distribution was handled by the group, which made it more official.

Also a group of girls made dresses for girls in a needy region. A few adult mentors helped them with it, so they also taught the local girls how to sew -- which was a useful skill.

Can you host a group or Bible study in your home, or is that too much preparation and stress?

tammylouise · Feb 18, 2014

parsley said:
Can you host a group or Bible study in your home, or is that too much preparation and stress?

Unfortunately anything involving hospitality isn't possible. I live with my mother, who is mentally ill, and having people in the house really freaks her out.

Soul2Soul · Feb 18, 2014

tammylouise said:
I have a long-term illness which leaves me virtually housebound. I have a lot of free time and I really want to do something meaningful with it, preferably something which would serve the Kingdom. I've asked my own church and all the local charities and ministries I could find, but none of them have anything I could do to help them from home.

The only thing I can think of is making things to give away or sell for charity. But none of the local hospitals are accepting knitted items at the moment. Also, I'm on a low income so I would want to be sure it's what God wants me to do before I buy the materials.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Hi tammylouise,

I think that doing practical things really does help - it can engage the mind and give a sense of accomplishment. Have you tried maybe making things and selling them on ebay? I like the idea of trying out different crafts - it's great to learn new things and it keeps you busy. How about drawing, painting, DIY, gardening (when it's not raining), etc and there is always the opportunity to do in-depth bible studies etc. I'm not suggesting you do some of these things and not think about serving the Kingdom but rather they may be helpful when you might start to get bored. Definitely I think praying, engaging with Christians online and maybe by phone, writing Christian articles, maybe write some hymns etc will be worthy ..... are you part of a church that may give you advice and/or suggestions?

graciesings · Feb 18, 2014

You could definitely become a prayer warrior on here, and maybe lead or help with Bible studies online. I know the one I'm working on (see my signature) feels like something God's calling me to do!

Yes, making things at home might be a nice way to help.

If you're even an OK writer, you can do a lot! You could start a blog, write opinion articles for a local newspaper, or even contact the pastor and see if you could start a church newsletter.

Maybe you could work with the Sunday school teachers at your church and help them prepare lessons/worksheets/find good deals on supplies?

tammylouise · Feb 21, 2014

Soul2Soul said:
are you part of a church that may give you advice and/or suggestions?

I am part of a church and have asked for advice, but no one has had any ideas yet. I've become quite wary of asking people at church because they tend to hear the "I want to serve" part but not the "without leaving my house" part. Then I have to say no to whatever they ask me to help with, and some people are quite persistent.

I've been thinking and praying about this all week, and I'm starting to think that abortion might be the issue God wants me to focus on. Hopefully God will make it clear what he wants me to do.

Soul2Soul · Feb 23, 2014

tammylouise said:
I am part of a church and have asked for advice, but no one has had any ideas yet. I've become quite wary of asking people at church because they tend to hear the "I want to serve" part but not the "without leaving my house" part. Then I have to say no to whatever they ask me to help with, and some people are quite persistent.

I've been thinking and praying about this all week, and I'm starting to think that abortion might be the issue God wants me to focus on. Hopefully God will make it clear what he wants me to do.

You know what tammylouise ... I think that you have a great desire to be useful in God's Kingdom and that is so encouraging ... you have a good heart. Whatever you end up doing ... and I do believe God will make it clear to you .... will be good enough for God with all your "limitations".

Rubiks · Feb 24, 2014

You could always listen to Christian podcasts, like I do

vespasia · Feb 24, 2014

Tammy.

The Handknitting Association in the UK has a regularly updated Charity knitter requests online page. You could start there.
The Ravellery online community has forums covering specific interests in knitting and related craft fields that are UK specific.

Online communities can help ease some of the sense of isolation that can go with being housebound.

May I ask where does your heart lie? [What things are you drawn towards] I am asking so I can try and think of UK based groups and similar that might interest you as you do not feel a conviction for intercession as not everyone who stays at home has that as a gift.

Peripatetic · Feb 24, 2014

stevenfrancis said:
The best thing I can possibly think of is a prayer ministry. Heck, you're here at CF. Go to the prayer request section, and start praying for as many folks as you can get through. This could change lives. Praying for others is the most important thing we can do, whether incapacitated or not.

I agree. Prayer ministry was my first thought too. This forum also gives us a chance to encourage, which is another very important service that the Bible calls exhortation.

Acer99 · Feb 27, 2014

Prayer absolutely, a while ago I heard of this story that made my heart fill with joy, a lady was in hospital and she was upset, she said to God, Lord I'm in hospital and I want to do something for you, but I can't do anything, I can't get out of bed, The Lord said to her yes you can you can pray for the people around you in the ward, my heart felt so sad for the Lady but it felt happy when I realised that God can use anyone whose heart is open to serve him, We all have jobs for The Lord, no matter what were doing and I truly believe that no one job is more important than the other is all about the heart, being open to be serving for him.
God bless you for having an open heart to serve for our beautiful father, I pray he opens up an opportunity to serve him

Increasinglygrateful · Sep 16, 2017

tammylouise said:
I have a long-term illness which leaves me virtually housebound. I have a lot of free time and I really want to do something meaningful with it, preferably something which would serve the Kingdom. I've asked my own church and all the local charities and ministries I could find, but none of them have anything I could do to help them from home.

The only thing I can think of is making things to give away or sell for charity. But none of the local hospitals are accepting knitted items at the moment. Also, I'm on a low income so I would want to be sure it's what God wants me to do before I buy the materials.

Does anyone have any ideas?

DEAR tammylouise,

BOY can I RELATE! I, too, am virtually housebound right now. By God's grace, my husband and I are living with a WONDERFUL family. I am CONVINCED that we are experiencing a little bit of heaven on earth to live with them! Such a BLESSING from the Lord. Prior to that - for only two weeks, though - we were homeless. By God's grace and my husband's diligence, I pray we are seeing our way through, and I believe we are.

I can so relate to the desires of your heart. I, too, want to seek first the kingdom and HIS righteousness (don't forget, He promises to meet ALL of our needs as we do that! Hallelujah! I can testify to the truth of that Scripture - He even builds my faith cuz He often comes through in the eleventh hour - ha, ha!)

I believe the LORD has called me to prophetic writing. I find, however, that I have so many distractions/things to do . I need to remember that He has provided the right amount of time every day for me to do all that He wants me to do.

I think your idea of making things/knitting is AMAZING! Truly, that is a lost art. When people receive something homemade, it quickly becomes a cherished treasure.

Praying the Lord - the GREAT Physician and Source of ALL healing - will heal you, and believing that He will .

Love,

Elizabeth

Increasinglygrateful · Sep 16, 2017

tammylouise said:
I probably would be interested, I just don't know how much help I would be. I'm usually the one asking the questions, not giving the answers. What would actually be involved?

I ask a lot of questions, too!

Hearingheart · Sep 16, 2017

tammylouise said:
I have a long-term illness which leaves me virtually housebound. I have a lot of free time and I really want to do something meaningful with it, preferably something which would serve the Kingdom. I've asked my own church and all the local charities and ministries I could find, but none of them have anything I could do to help them from home.

The only thing I can think of is making things to give away or sell for charity. But none of the local hospitals are accepting knitted items at the moment. Also, I'm on a low income so I would want to be sure it's what God wants me to do before I buy the materials.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Plastic bags can be crocheted into sleeping mats for the homeless. Around here, the grocery store collects plastic bags for recycling, so maybe a grocery could be a good source for used bags. Youtube has instructions for how to crochet a sleeping mat.

Check with foster services or police force for a need for stuffed animals or blankets for kids in need of some comfort.

Knit or crochet slippers for nursing home residents.

brinny · Sep 16, 2017

Praying for you tammylouise, and all the lovely hearts who offered such love and support and encouragement and prayers. (((hug)))

LoricaLady · Sep 17, 2017

Never underestimate the power or prayer, or of how much our Father wants us to pray. Pray for the world daily! Name countries - though not every one of course, too many. We are told to pray first for those in authority, so you can add that to the list.

There are many horrifically persecuted believers around the world. You can not only pray for them, you can send them words of encouragement, even by email. Places that serve them include Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors and Release International.

You can witness online to people.

It may seem that knitting and baking are doing more good, as you can see the smilse and so on, but prayer can cover the whole planet and the Father hears and acts, even if no one else in the world knows.

Really, because you have so much free time, you may do more for the Kingdom than those who are preoccupied with jobs and other things of the world.

How can I serve God while I am housebound?

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