On Friday David has to speak at our Youth Conference. The topic he is speaking on is SERVICE. In my experience, service is like a secret drug-- the best "upper" in the world. Whenever I perform an act of service I get all giddy inside and am am just plain happy. For a year after David started his business we had no income. Needless to say, it was a rather stressful time. Looking back, some of the things that helped keep me sane that year were trips to the library and SERVICE. I made over a dozen baby hats out of left-over yarn and children's picture books from my old magazines. Really, it wasn't much, but it gave me a purpose outside myself and a focus on problems that were much greater than mine.
One area of service I want to do better in is feeling comfortable just talking to people and being their FRIEND. I was just called into our R.S. Presidency (enrichment counselor) and all of a sudden have my eyes opened to how many ladies in our ward need friends. I'm good at remembering names and smiling at people in the hall during church, but I'm not a talker and often feel really awkward trying to start conversations with people I don't know. But I'm realizing that's exactly what most people need. I know I love it when someone shows an interest in me (even a simple comment on my blog makes me happy!), so I'm going to try hard to reach outside myself, to get to know the ladies, and to be a friend.
How does service make YOU feel? In what ways do you like to serve?
About Me
- Jessi
- Mom of five lovely daughters, wife of one dashing man. Born in Utah, grew up in Oregon, live in Georgia.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Upper
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4 comments:
Jessi
I love serving so much! I get so excited and happy knowing that I made someones day a bit better! When I would have a hard time with my x mother in law (jons mom) I would sneak upstairs (we were living in their basement apartment) and would do her dishes or vacuum. I would walk away feeling more loving towards her! It was a great feeling! I love helping my friends with their kids when I see they need help, or help cleaning their homes. Service is my favorite thing to do- No joke. I love it!!!! I agree 100% with everything you said! Way to go!
I was called as R.S. President at the very worst time of my life. I felt like a complete failure and couldn't believe that I would be ask to do such a job when my life was such a mess. As it turned out that calling "saved my life" as I turned my focus away from me and mine and loved and served the sisters. I believe SERVICE is the answer to every challange we have in life and if we can learn this early and often, so much the better. When doing service with the proper attitude with no thought for praise or self fulfillment, that is the best high anyone can get. Service is the true test of what it means to be Christlike. Now the challange for me especially is to make it happen on a daily basis and move outside my comfort zone. YIKES!! Why can't it be just that simple? My favorite service is to listen and feel genuine empathy for someone elses pain. Don't give answers or suggestions or even say you understand JUST LISTEN and let them know you care.( the the way,Jessi, thanks for all your fabulous insights on your blog hope you don't mind me eaves dropping every once in a while, soon I hope to get going, I opened a blog but can't find it... your mom can relate to my computer skills but I'm trying ELAINE
It is a great feeling when I make time to do something for someone. I like what Elaine said that it is the answer to our challenges in life. So very true. I have learned that as far as my relationship with my husband if I am upset with him it does help to do something nice for him. Though at times this is easier said than done. It works!
I have, like you, always loved service. In choosing to be a nurse it was based on the want to help others. I to have found that random acts of service were soooo good for me. With my second to last pregnancy, things got pretty rough for me. One sister in the ward asked how the pregnancy was going and was certain I had miscarried because tears instantly came to my eyes. The next day she and two other ladies showed up at my house asking to do my housework. I politely refused because of my pride and embarassment at how rough my home had gotten. Later I felt horrible that I had denied them the opportunity to serve. With this last pregnancy, I chose to allow any and all acts of service and was overwhelmed with the love of my fellow neighbors. I realized that it is an upper to allow others to serve you as well. During the pregnancy treats were left on my door every Monday night for nearly 4 months. I got 11 meals after the baby was born. People just came to visit or did my grocery shopping because they knew how difficult it was to get out. Each time I was served it felt like I was getting a great big hug from Heavenly Father through other people. Through this experience, I think of service a little different. I think of it as giving hugs from Heavenly Father. Who wouldn't feel great after doing such an errand?
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