Today’s Reading: Jacob 1
17 Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord.
Some people grow up always wanting to serve a mission. That wasn’t me. Going on a mission was something I never wanted to do–I was way too shy. Now being a mommy was something I always wanted to do–I just loved babies! So when I was old enough to understand that going on a mission happens during prime marrying age, I confidently declared that a mission was not for me!
Well, I once had a friend say “make sure your words are soft and sweet, because you never know how many you’ll have to eat”. After much prodding from the Spirit. . .and even more denial, I finally ate my words and served a mission. And it was wonderful. . .and hard; but what kept me going through the hard times was my belief that I “[had] first obtained [my] errand from the Lord”. It was not my idea to serve a mission, it was his. It was not initially my will, but God’s will soon became my own. I also felt that, because He wanted me in the mission field, the Lord strengthened me to “accomplish the thing which he commanded me”[i].
Feeling that my errand came from God made me feel. . . special! I felt that Heavenly Father in his wisdom found it necessary to direct me onto this particular path. Therefore, this chapter in my life must be important–impactful to myself and to those I would serve. As I’ve reflected on these things, I was reminded of the source of every calling.
Henry B. Eyring has said:
You are called of God. The Lord knows you. He knows whom He would have serve in every position in His Church. He chose you [ii].
What if each of us–every missionary who is called to serve and every member who receives a calling, had a personal conviction that their call came from God? How would that change the way we feel about and magnify our callings? Whether it be as a visiting teacher, a nursery leader, in a presidency of some kind, or in a myriad of other callings, that truth remains. Each individual is appointed to their respected office by a loving Heavenly Father who knows what we are capable of, who we can bless, and how to stretch us.
After growing up in the bitter cold of Alberta Canada and serving a mission in the scalding heat of Tucson Arizona, I finally settled for the “moderate” climate of Utah. I met my best friend and love of my life at BYU where I received my degree in Marriage and Family Studies. I stay at home with my two little girls, teach marriage classes with my husband, and run an alumni Facebook group. I love to write, bake, travel, teach, and feast upon the words of Christ, but my favorite happy thought of all is going on weekly dates with my husband!