I know it has been a while since I have posted something on this blog... I could blame it on organizing my house... not exactly true since progress has been made but more things have just been transferred and not organized. I don't mean to be ungrateful for the tender mercies that we receive daily and I don't mean to discount the many blessings that we receive. I think that I had fallen into a sort of mode on cruise control where I just go and forget to look and then wonder where has everything gone. Everyday has been a mixture of emotions for me lately andI feel that I am forcing myself to keep searching for the tender mercies.
But one thing that I have been strongly reminded of today is that our Father in Heaven has a very intricate plan for every one of us. It is so well crafted that he can individually bless us and help strengthen us through allowing us to serve and help others.
This is the truth I know... When we serve others we will not be left empty handed with the blessings that we need. It may be materially or spiritually but He will bless us when we forget ourselves and honestly ask Him in prayer who we can serve today and who needs a helping hand. It saddens me that when I know that families are going through hard times they shut their doors and close there hearts to the needs of others even when the others may not be in such terrible need. Perfect example of this is in the Bible of the widow and Elijah ( I believe... forgive me if I am wrong...) as she used the last of her cornmeal to feed him when she herself and her son were preparing to die from lack of food. It was a great sacrifice for her to make this decision, but she was blessed for her willingness to serve.
Likewise, my family has been so blessed for our willingness to give of our time, food, home, talents, service, or whatever else we have that would be of benefit to others. I think mostly what it is is that we are willing to do what is asked of us. I know that I have on several occasions these past few months been trying to forget my trials and worries by concentrating on what I can do for others and random thoughts have popped into my head of somebody who might need something randomly done for them.
Example: I have a friend who went through a very hard time and as I was preparing to go to bed late one Saturday night I felt that I needed to write her an email and let her know just how special she was and that she is not alone in the trial and that she was not being punished by any means, more that they are choice people and someone that their Father in Heaven could trust to handle such a trial. She later confided in me that she had been up late that night unable to sleep for the hurt she was going through and read my email right then....and it brought comfort.
Example: I have a friend who baked a yummy loaf of holiday bread...(I am not sure exactly what kind it was, but never the less it was gone within the day.) ...left it on our door step and with a note saying thank you for your friendship...Merry Christmas. That came right at a time when I really needed to know that I was noticed.
Example: I was shopping in Walmart and had been thinking about a friend I knew that was going through a hard time in her life. (preface to this... this friend is an example to me of a wonder woman. Not only is she talented in keeping a house tidy, she is crafty, hard working and a wonderful mother to her kids.) The thought came you need to take her some flowers. I thought, "that would be embarassing. She's probably fine." But what did I happen to stumble across but the flowers. I picked out the ones I thought she would like and hurried to the checkout before I could chicken out. As I drove home I kind of forgot that I was going over there and as I drove in my driveway the thought came, "You need to go over now." I thought... The kids are crying and diapers are soaked... I well later." Stronger, I felt... "Go now." As I knocked on her door, my heart was pumping hard and I was nervous for some reason. Who just brings flowers to a friend that she really doesn't know that well? She opened the door slowly and just looked. I handed her the flowers and told her I thought she could use them and she hugged me and thanked me with tears in her eyes and closed the door. I had no idea what she was going through or what was happening in her life. Weeks later I found out that almost at that moment I had knocked she was having a very difficult time and her Father in Heaven knew that and used one of His other daughters to try and help her remember of the love that He has for her.
Example: We have a miracle happening in the Stewart family this next week. All of the Stewart kids and family well be in the temple at the same time for a sister's sealing. (Not to mention all 25+ well be gathered together under one roof! That alone is a feat!) There have been trials in each one of the lives of the members of this family. Some hard, some devastating, some on going. But the one thing that I know that they all have in common which has lead them to this great blessing is that they have all worked very hard at serving one another and would take the shirt off of their backs for anyone... (well just about.) As this goal of all of us being in the temple gets closer I know that we will all be tried: in patience, love, and understanding. But, what will get us all through it is that we serve one another. That will be the constant to their success in overcoming the adversity that has worked for so hard for so many years to keep this one day from happening.
I really could go on for a quite a while longer about the affects of service and the change of perspective it gives to ones lowly state of being. I honestly believe that if we are truely willing to do the will of the Lord, we will be inspired to help the very people that need it the most. Most often that person becomes ourelves and we are eternally indebt.
