Months ago, long before the election tightened and pundits forecasted nail-biting outcomes, a few of us pastors planned to serve. We knew that whatever the results, this election would stir up difficult emotions and worries. To help us stay grounded in our mission as a church, we decided to roll up our sleeves together at the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
The election outcome, personally, left me unsettled—and I know I’m not alone. Many in our church community feel anxious, angry, even fearful. Like many of you, I carried a full range of emotions the day after the election. With all that care, prayer, and processing going on, I honestly felt I’d rather stay in my head, running through every what-if and worst-case scenario. But we stuck to the plan. Little did I know that sorting out a batch of stinky onions would turn out to be the best cure for my anxious mind.
As we packed those onions, something started to shift. I was still aware of the worries on my heart and the struggles in the world, but I felt myself becoming anchored in a purpose beyond myself. Working alongside others, serving people who rely on these meals, I felt my focus move from endless speculation to the task at hand. In the simple act of packing food, conversation flowed, emotions were unpacked, and my perspective started to reset. It reminded me of our baptismal vows—to reject evil, to resist injustice, and to live with purpose. As Kamala Harris put it in her concession speech, “This is not a time to throw up our hands; it’s a time to roll up our sleeves.” By the end of two hours, I found myself smiling, even grooving along to the music playing in the background.
This experience reminded me of something that scripture teaches us time and again: we find joy and purpose when we serve others. Paul writes in Galatians 5:13, “Serve one another humbly in love.” And in John 13:14-15, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, showing us that no act of service is beneath us if it helps others. Serving others lifts our spirits and draws us out of self-focused worry into a rhythm of care and connection. Sociologists have also long recognized that helping others can improve mental health. Studies show that volunteer work reduces stress, lowers depression, and increases overall life satisfaction.
The strong smell of onions certainly didn’t let me forget the worries weighing on my mind, but those onions also reminded me that I could do something. I don’t have to let fear or frustration paralyze me. I can choose to act, to live out our baptismal vows in ways that support and uplift others. And I’d strongly recommend doing the same. Make a plan to volunteer, to serve in some way that connects you with others. Serving others breaks the loop of doom-scrolling and anxious thoughts. It’s a powerful way to be the church, to step forward in faith and make a difference—even in small, local acts.
Our church has regular mission opportunities, but you don’t have to wait for a scheduled event. Find a new way to serve, invite a friend along, or join some new faces in making a difference.
Together, we can roll up our sleeves, live out our faith, and find a bit of joy along the way—even if it comes with a hint of rotten onions.
