Serves Compassionately

Dalat students serve compassionately by leading through positive choices and actions.

When we think about serving others, our minds often go to the “big” acts of service. For our students, this would mean IMPACT trips, MS service day, and even the No Uniform Day fundraiser. In contrast, this student outcome statement focuses more on the daily things we do that are also acts of service.

In our middle school SAT this morning, one of the discussion questions was about what you need from others when you feel lonely. The students mentioned being included, being invited, and being offered a cookie. Those small daily actions are what really makes a difference in our own lives and those around us.

This is actually a well-known phenomenon, emphasized in practices like habit stacking (Atomic Habits by James Clear). However, these habit-forming strategies are most often focused on things that benefit us in some way. Some common examples include brushing teeth, taking vitamins, and engaging in exercise.

The habits of service, however, are done for the benefit of others. In the Bible, Jesus told many parables that emphasized the importance of serving others. These included larger acts, such as the Good Samaritan, and smaller stories, like the parable of the talents. In Luke 16:10, Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

We can serve others faithfully by building small habits of service into our daily routines. I have observed students who push in all the chairs before leaving a room and hold the door for others. We may pick up trash as we see it. Perhaps we can intentionally smile and make eye contact with others. Building these actions into our daily routines for the benefit of others will also bring us more joy as a result.