Have I?

Have I Done Any Good? (Hymn 223)
 

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

[Chorus]
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Text and music: Will L. Thompson, 1847–1909, alt.

I sang this to my boys as I put them down for a nap today, and it touched me. It's funny that that is often the case when I sing Primary songs and Hymns to them. I begin a song without thinking much of it, and then all of a sudden the Spirit hits me so strongly that it almost knocks me over. Several lines in particular stuck out to me. The first, "When they needed my help was I there?" and the second, "There are chances for work all around just now," and the third, "Opportunities right in our way."

I am afraid that often I am the one who says, "Sometime I'll try." aka...When I have more time, I'd love to serve. And sometimes I truly find that the opportunities to do so are "right in my way". In the way of what? In the way of my self imposed busy schedule. In the way of some "important" thing I have to do. For example, Monday is my house cleaning day. But it's only my house cleaning day because I decided to make Monday my house cleaning day.  It could just as easily be Tuesday, or Wednesday, or never. ;) It's good to have a house cleaning day, but it's better, or even best to be able to put aside the cleaning and be there for a friend who needs a listening ear. People don't usually have the luxury of picking the day and time when they'll be in need. And so the phrase, "When they needed my help was I there?" stands out to me today, not as "Oh ya, I just happened to be completely available and un-busy when so-and-so needed a baby-sitter/hug/meal/encouraging word/shoulder to cry on." But more like a willingness and even a desire, to push aside those things that don't matter as much (cleaning day, grocery shopping, etc.) and make the time to do the more important service. I would even insert a word...When they needed my help was I WILLING to be there? I hope that I can answer yes, to that question more often than not.

And, as is usually the case, serving benefits us more than it does the person whom we served. I was reminded of that today. I got a phone call this morning from a dear friend. We live farther apart than I'd like, and therefore don't see each other or spend as much time with each other as I'd like. But somehow, we can always pick right up where we left off, even if it's been a long time since we've talked. Anyways, she called me this morning, and needed some to listen. Which I did gladly. And during the course of our conversation, it dawned on me that I needed this conversation just as much as she did, though maybe for different reasons. I needed to be reminded of strong friendships, of Christ-like attitudes, and about not judging others. So thank you, my friend, for your phone call this morning. 

Isn't it funny, how sometimes in life, we have these little, seemingly unrelated experiences, but they all serve to move our thoughts in a certain direction so that we can obtain a new level of understanding? I'm having a week like that. While my visiting teaching companion and I were out visiting teaching yesterday, I was reflecting on some of the experiences and different conversations I'd had this week. I was also wondering if my companion thought I was a complete slacker as a visiting teacher because I have a tough time making appointments, and my thoughts on the visiting teaching messages are always so scattered and seemingly unhelpful, and on top of that I suck at making small talk and putting people at ease. I'm not trying to make excuses, I'm just stating facts. Visiting teaching is one of the things I struggle with. I believe in it, and it's purpose, but putting it all into action is challenging for me.

Anyways, as all this was tumbling around in my head, an interesting thought hit the surface of it. Isn't it interesting that Heavenly Father makes us all so uniquely different and then puts us all here together on Earth and gives us the opportunity to be in situations where we can see each others' weaknesses? Why does He do that? It's a learning experience on so many different levels.

It occurred to me recently, that (especially in church callings) no one is really trained as an expert in their area. For example, I did not spend any of my years in college or otherwise, training to be the 2nd counselor in the Primary Presidency. I am not an expert at my calling. And while it's true that the Lord has given me some talents that have come in handy while I've been serving in this position, it is also true that there are PLENTY of areas where I can improve. And I think the same is true for just about everyone. It's easy to see where people need improvement isn't it? But it's trickier to try and look past that and see the potential. Besides, if I was always placed in a calling that I was good at and comfortable with, I'd never get to stretch myself, and I'd miss a lot of awesome opportunities for growth.