Today’s Reading: Mosiah 2:7-17
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
Sometimes the Lord puts us in unexpected situations or gives us specific experiences to teach us something. I had such an experience a few years ago.
I had just left a store where I had been buying supplies for a last minute school project for one of my kids. I had three of my four kids in tow, the youngest not quite two years old. She was tired and fussy and I was stressed out and in a hurry. As I rushed to my car, I noticed a lady with a walker talking to someone nearby in the parking lot. I didn’t pay much attention to her but as I was buckling my toddler into her car seat, she approached me. I don’t even remember exactly what she said to me but she was asking for help and for money. I do remember that she first apologized for bothering me because she could see I was busy and that I had children waiting for me in the car. I think I said something like, “I’m sorry. I don’t have any cash with me.” She thanked me and smiled and went on her way. I got in my car and fastened my seat belt. Just as I was about to start the car, I had a tremendous feeling of regret that I had not helped this woman wash over me, while at the same time I felt the Spirit unmistakably whisper to me, “What would Christ do?” It stopped me in my tracks. It came again more forcefully, “What would Christ do?” I knew what Christ would do. He would take time to really listen to this woman and find out what she needed. He would show her love and compassion and let her know that He cared about her and what she was going through. In that moment I knew what I needed to do.
I immediately got out of my car and went to find her. She hadn’t gotten far. She moved very slowly. Why hadn’t I noticed that before? As I approached her she turned to me and I looked at her – really looked at her. I could see that she was far too young to have to be using a walker. She had clear blue eyes and a kind smile. I apologized to her for not taking time to talk to her before and asked her what I could do to help her. I was stunned as she told me her story. She told me that one night her boyfriend had become violent and stabbed her multiple times in an attempt to kill her. She pointed out the scars and there were many – white slashes crisscrossed all over her neck and upper chest. I’m sure there were more that I couldn’t see. She said she had almost died that night but by the grace of God her life was spared. Because of the injuries she sustained she was on medication that she was required to take every day. With tears in her eyes, she told me how ashamed she was to have to ask strangers for help, but she lived alone and had no one to help her. She was waiting for funds that hadn’t come yet and she couldn’t pay for the medication she needed. I could feel her pain as she humbly asked for help. She was desperate and I knew I needed to help her.
I walked back into the store with her where her prescription was waiting to be picked up. I bought the medication and then asked her if there was anything else I could do for her. She tearfully thanked me and told me I had done enough and that she would thank God everyday for sending me into her path to help her. I wrapped my arms around this sweet woman and gave her a hug and told her how brave and amazing I thought she was. As we said goodbye, I could sense the love Heavenly Father had for her. I was grateful that I had listened to the Spirit and acted. Most of all, I was grateful that the Lord would give me this experience to teach me something that I needed to learn. What if I had not listened to the Spirit? Who would have helped this woman and what opportunity to bless and serve would I have missed by not reaching out? It was a profound reminder to me that I need to be aware of the opportunities given to me to be the Lord’s eyes, ears, and hands – to lift, to help, and to serve His children. I learned that I need to be more humble, less judgmental, and more open to the Spirit. And I find myself asking more often, “What would Christ do?”
“My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us. The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone.” – Thomas S. Monson, What Have I Done for Someone Today?
I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. I served a Spanish-speaking mission in Toronto, Canada. I attended BYU and taught at the MTC. I am a wife and a mother and I love being a stay at home dance/basketball/football/soccer mom. I love the beach, anything chocolate, Santa Fe sunsets, and all things Jane Austen. I’m a thyroid cancer survivor, a big fan of BYU Soccer, and I love teaching the gospel. Over the last twenty years, I’ve lived in San Francisco, California; New Haven, Connecticut; Miami, Florida; Kalispell, Montana; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Utah. I have loved each place I’ve lived and I’ve been blessed with amazing friends and all kinds of experiences along the way! My motto has become: “Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.” 💜
Made me cry! Way to #lighttheworld Jenny! <3