President Lorenzo Snow once said "When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated." How beautiful the doctrine of service truly is! Last night I had the privilege to go to a food bank and volunteer to serve for a while. The task was simple-we restocked the food pantry and organized it-but the Spirit was immense. I find service marvelously interesting. How is it that helping another tends to end up helping us more? Why is it that in attempting to answer the prayer of one of God's beloved children that our own are answered? It's just incredible.
I have been blessed with incredible examples of service in my life, they are my parents. And the older I get, the more I learn to appreciate and attempt to emulate their wonderful models. I just want to share a few key experiences that have stuck with me over the years, and that have touched my heart.
I remember being young, probably in kindergarden, and watching my mother tie an old man's shoes who was struggling to walk, let alone bend over to do it himself.
I remember countless times my mother took me with her to bring meals, cards, or treats to neighbors, friends, and people in the ward we barely knew, but whom she wisely perceived needed help. Often, when she would ask me to come along to deliver the goodies, I would complain, or go with an unwilling heart; but she would always insist and drag me along with her. I've pondered that lately, and I have come to the conclusion that I am immensely grateful to her for not simply taking the easy way out and letting me stay home. By going with her and watching the absolute love she had for others, I gained an irreplaceable example that I now lean on in my own life. (Though probably not as much as I should. I'm still learning!)
I remember going to a fast-food restaurant with my mom and little sister when I was in first or second grade, and watching my mother buy a couple meals for a homeless man who was sitting by himself in the corner. Beyond that, she sat and talked with him, laughed with him, and listened to his story. As I was sitting at a different table, being almost embarrassed and most definitely scared of the man, my mother was embracing him as a fellow child of God.
I remember my mother always gravitating to the "trouble children" in Primary. While most were annoyed by their presence, she loved them; and those kids could feel it. On countless occasions I have watched her work miracles in these kids' lives, simply by loving them for who they were, not who she thought they should be. And, miraculously, through loving them, she gave them permission to love themselves, and the desire to be a little better every day.
I remember my mom never saying no to the opportunity to help someone else. Even when she had no time to care for herself, she would write a note and drop it by a friend's house that had been on her heart that day. Even when she had no patience, she would invite neighborhood and ward children over to the home so that their mother could have a rest. Even when she was unsure how we would pay our expenses for the month, she would use some of our grocery money to make a meal for someone else. Even when she had no energy, she never denied me when I asked for help, or for love. My mother is truly an incredible woman that I look up to. I hope one day I can be half the instrument she is in the hands of the Lord.
My father has always been another rock-solid example of service to me. He is the hardest worker I have ever met, and tirelessly works not only to improve his business, but to improve his family and the lives of those around him.
I remember one year my father was stuck on a business trip due to inclement weather, very close to a holiday. (I think it was Thanksgiving.) He was distraught and extremely blue at the thought of not being with his family at such a special time of year. If I had been in his shoes, I would have moped in my hotel room, watched a movie, and eaten a half-gallon of ice cream as I wallowed in self-pity. But not my father. As he called to say goodnight to all of us kids (as he always does when he is away,) we asked what he did. My father, being the amazing man that he is, decided to serve. He had found a local soup kitchen and had spent his evening there, giving out meals to the hungry. He said in this act he found the solace he needed. I don't know if he even remembers this story, but I do. It has stuck with me for my whole life.
I remember my dad dutifully doing his home teaching every month, and truly caring about those he visited. He was not a once-a-month home teacher, but truly befriended those he had been called to care for.
I remember my dad always being willing to give a blessing, no matter what time or how tired he was. Beyond this, I always saw him put on a suit to do so. This little extra effort of love touched me.
I remember my dad taking us to the Stake Farm to help harvest or pull weeds. I always complained because it was early, hot, dirty, work, but he always made me come, and he always made it a good time. Instead of grumbling, he would joke around, causing everyone around him to be laughing the whole time, and making the work go a lot faster. Beyond that, not only did he expect me to come, but he expected me to do my best while I was there. There was no pride in a job completed under our potentials.
I remember when there was a tornado near my home town, my dad loaded some of us kids into the car and drove about an hour to get there to help with clean-up efforts. I despised the yellow "Mormon Helping Hands" shirt and I was a grumpy pre-teen who probably made him miserable, but he never let it show. He served with a smile. And you know what? I saved that shirt. It's in my hope chest as a special memory and reminder of my father's example to serve.
I remember my dad shoveling our neighbor's sidewalks and driveways when it snowed. I remember him always being there to help people move. I remember him having an enormous heart for those who worked for him, and earnestly doing what he could to make not only their jobs, but their lives more enjoyable. Maybe one of the most impressing lessons I learned from my father was this: just be kind. I can't remember a single instance in which I saw my father be unkind to someone else. I just always have seen him smiling, laughing, and teasing. No one escaped his teasing.
I'm so incredibly grateful for the examples of my parents that I do not even have words to express my gratitude. I never appreciated them enough when I was younger, but I am slowly and surely learning to do so now. They are great people who deserve the world....but if they had the world I know they would just give it others. I have learned great lesson from them. I learned to see others eternally, as God does. To see through the dirt and rough exterior and to see the shining gold underneath. I learned to never be embarrassed to serve, even when it may be uncomfortable or awkward in the moment. I learned to perceive a need and to not hesitate to fulfill it. If we have the ability to lift another up, why would we ever deny them that? I learned to always show kindness and love. I learned to make the extra little efforts because sometimes they mean the most. And most importantly, I learned the eternal and divine value of others. No task to be done is ever more important than someone to be loved. Thank you, mom and dad, for being the incredible examples you have been and continue to be to me. I hope one day I can be half the person you two are. I am grateful for your lives of Christlike charity. And I am grateful for the privilege and honor that I have to serve others, and for the confidence God has in us to allow us to help Him answer the prayers of His children. We truly do get more out of it than they do. Victor Hugo's tale, Les Miserables, says it best I believe: "To love another person is to see the face of God."
God be with you till we meet again,
Alyssa
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