A view from the summit

This past summer, I hiked to the top of Matanuska Peak. I have often looked up at this beautiful mountain that stands as the westernmost visible border of our valley and thought about someday making it to the top. I have some hiking friends, and we set off early morning in mid-June, determined to make my dream come true. Although the hike was not easy, it was not nearly as hard as I expected. It’s 5.5 miles to the summit, and the first 5 miles were a climb, but not too steep or demanding. The last half mile was more challenging as the trail disappeared into a scree field that slipped under our feet as we scrambled to the top.

That last part was slow going, but I would take a few steps then look behind me as the view became increasingly spectacular. When we reached the very top, I was almost euphoric as I took in the 360-degree view! Words are inadequate to describe the thrill I felt. The spectacular beauty added to a sense of accomplishment that filled me with wonder and awe.

In the months since that hike, when I see Matanuska Peak, it looks different. I notice the sharp incline of the mountain and think, “It really isn’t that steep.” My husband asks me how I ever scaled the top, and I assure him that it was just a long hike. I used to look at that mountain and think it was beautiful. Now I have a greater appreciation of the beauty of Matanuska Peak because I was there. And, when I see that mountain, I experience part of the exhilaration I felt at its summit.

Volunteering in our community can be like my hike up the mountain. I can admire diverse service organizations such as Kids Kupboard, Palmer Lions Club, Family Promise, The Magic Yarn Project, Homeless Connect and The Salvation Army and appreciate the great charitable work they do. That appreciation is good, but I will never understand the reality of their impact or feel the sense of awe and wonder of their service until I join in. I can say, “Someday, I’m going to get involved and help.” And then one day, I can just reach out and do it.

Service is what Jesus Christ modeled for each of us. “He went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). It follows that if I genuinely want to be his disciple, I must not just appreciate those who serve, I must follow Christ’s example and join in that effort personally.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus gives the parable of Good Samaritan. In less than 140 words, he makes it clear that everyone is our neighbor. Serving our fellow man is exactly what all Christians are called to do.

There are many opportunities to serve in our community with nonprofit and civic organizations striving to meet our neighbors’ needs. I watched from a distance and admired their work, but when I became involved win their work, I truly began to appreciate the magnitude of what they do. I enjoy helping Kids Kupboard by personally handing a meal to a child, fellowshipping a family in crisis at Family Promise, assisting with eye screening with the Palmer Lions Club, passing out socks at Homeless Connect, or ringing the bell for The Salvation Army. As I participate in these projects, my admiration for these organizations transforms into a sense of awe and wonder at the fantastic work they accomplish.

Supporting charities financially is essential and we should be generous in our donations. However, sharing our time and talents allows us to experience charity in a whole new way; the way that Jesus did. In this season of giving, challenge yourself to become involved in a service organization that you admire from afar. Just like I discovered viewing a mountain and climbing it are quite different experiences, let us discover the view combined with the thrill of truly giving ourselves this year.

Carol Kenley grew up in Palmer on a dairy farm. She owns and operates Kenley’s Alaskan Vegetables and Flowers, is a member of the Palmer Lions Club, is on the Board of Directors of Alaska Farmland Trust, and volunteers with Loaves of Love nonprofit charity. Carol is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.