I am loving this year's theme for visiting teaching "Being An Instrument In The Lord's Hands." Each month's lesson has given a new way of doing so, this month's is by Caring for the Poor & Needy. It's an excellent message, and I read it and then listened to it twice as we went visiting teaching last week (woohoo, I love it when we do it early in the month) these are the two quotes that really stood out to me and actually reminded me of our blogging community.
Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“I will never again see home teaching or visiting teaching as only programs. … Such work is an opportunity, not a burden. … Every member has made a covenant to do works of kindness as the Savior would do. So any call to bear witness and to care for others is not a request for extra service; it is a blessing designed by a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. … Each is a chance to prove what blessings flow from being a covenant people, and each is an opportunity for which you agreed to be accountable”
(“Witnesses for God,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 31).
“The Lord’s Storehouse—where ‘there is enough and to spare’—is [symbolically] what the Lord has placed in each of us (D&C 104:17). It is one woman making a difference for another. It is one sister offering to listen or talk with a sister who may be lonely. It is a sister developing a close friendship with the sister she visit teaches. It is you and me with our strengths, our skills, and our talents blessing the life of another” (“Welfare, the Crowning Principle of a Christian Life,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 1, 2003, 3).
{This is Kristi's genius at work}
(“Witnesses for God,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 31).
**This quote really struck me because we all want to be like Christ, but we don't necessarily recognize what that entails some days (especially when it's not convenient for us). I like how he says it's not a request for extra service, but a blessing designed for us by Heavenly Father and Jesus. That's a whole new way to look at all these "opportunities" that seem to pop into our busy weeks isn't it?
Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society general president:“The Lord’s Storehouse—where ‘there is enough and to spare’—is [symbolically] what the Lord has placed in each of us (D&C 104:17). It is one woman making a difference for another. It is one sister offering to listen or talk with a sister who may be lonely. It is a sister developing a close friendship with the sister she visit teaches. It is you and me with our strengths, our skills, and our talents blessing the life of another” (“Welfare, the Crowning Principle of a Christian Life,” BYU Women’s Conference, May 1, 2003, 3).
{This is Kristi's genius at work}**I think it's obvious why I love this quote (I bolded the sentences) and how it reminded me of blogging. I am often touched by the things I read about on the blogs and am often overwhelmed and excited by the many opportunities to serve each other. I think we do a good job of this whether we live near each other or not. Sending good mail to someone who is having a hard time is a great way to reach out and lighten their load. I also love how regularly blogging shows us that no one is exempt from hard times, frustrations, health issues, or discouragement and that we can choose to recognize that our troubles aren't a burden, but an opportunity for growth and for others to serve us.
**Thoughts??**
21 comments:
I loved this message as well. My favorite part was in the quote by Sister Parkin -- how the Lord has placed in each of us enough and to spare. How I need to remember that!
Thanks for sharing this message, Jill. I always love reading your thoughts on the VT lesson.
This makes me think of something Paul and I discussed at our FHE this afternoon. We studied a talk by Elder Wirthlin about Improving our Prayers. One of the parts I really liked is that he talked about how serving others can help us to have more meaningful and thoughtful prayers. He said that the compassion we show to others during their times of trial and need will be the same kind of compassion we will receive from our Heavenly Father when we face times of trial and need. Interesting thought. I guess it all comes down to helping lift each other and doing good.
Very interesting reading, Jill. I love those quotes, though I know nothing of the authors.
You know when ppl have favourite words? Often silly words like 'tablet' or 'dating'? I think my favourite words are 'accountable' and 'ambassador'. I love Eyring's last words: "you agreed to be accountable". And his phrase "to prove what blessings flow" reminds me that I am an Ambassador for Christ.
Bonnie Parkin's words are so apt, I agree. This all sails very closely to the concepts in Danny Wallace's book, which I'm (still!) reading at the moment 'Join Me'. He's urging ppl to simply do good deeds. He's trying to pull together a 'collective' of ppl who perfom random acts of kindness. It's a humourous book, but totally fact-based. Last night I got to the chapter where he'd decided to ask his Joinees to commit themselves to doing good acts on Fridays, henceforward known as 'Good Fridays' and the Joinees were to be known as the Karma Army. It's really funny, but yes, very like Good Mail, which in itself is very like distribution of the Lord's 'storehouse'.
Very late here, and just going to bed, so thank you for giving me these lovely things to think over!
I enjoy your Sunday posts. I can't think of a coherent comment but wanted you to know that I did read and now I am thinking. I'm jealous your visiting teaching is done for April.
Great thoughts....I love this message as well. I read it last week. I OFTEN feel like I am bugging the girls I VT when I call them each month. I can tell they are sometimes a little put out to have us come over, but once we are there I ALWAYS realise how important it is. I have noticed that even though the girls always say they don't need anything and are doing great, they still enjoy the visit and when we leave they always seem so grateful (even when they weren't thrilled to have us come). I have learned a lot this past year about woman (mainly from blogging) and I am beginning to understand that woman really do need each other. There is a reason for Relief Society and a reason that the Lord would design such an organization.
I also have really enjoyed the VT messages this year- for some reason they seem much more tangible or something. I also think that blogging has made me a better visiting teacher with all these great gift ideas. This is just the greatest!
I always love your Sunday thoughts and have been inspired to start them myself. My sister sent me a journal a few months ago that I have been using for taking notes in church. It's much easier now to get more out of church now that the girls are older!
(btw, did you receive my good mail yet? Haven't seen it, just want to make sure you received it!)
Our lesson in Relief Society today was about how we can make a difference in the lives of others through simple acts of kindness. I thought of you because you are so thoughtful and "make a difference" to so many people!
Love your Sunday thoughts and VT message! Oh, I wish I had visting teachers that actually visited!- haven't really in almost 4 years! But I do really feel the urgency in 'being there' for those that we serve. I love those quotes. Gives me much to ponder today! I strive daily to be able to "hear or feel" any promptings to help those that I serve. The YW, the women we VT, or even my neighbors.
I apprecited Amanda's comments about GOOD FRIDAY. What a great concept to set aside one day of thoughtfullness to really make sure that things happen. Hmmm, Just because Wed, Creative Friday, perhaps Good Monday? Days are filling up fast! :-)
Enjoy your evening!
I linked to your blog thru Jenny's. I love what you have shared. V.T. ing is such a blessing to those who are served, and those who serve. I read the message every month. It is when my visiting teachers stop by that I really start to ponder the message. I usually am blessed to see the message in a differnt light. Have a wonderful Sabbath.
jill - your Sunday posts are always my favorites. I really enjoyed the Sis. Parkin quote as well. Thanks for being so great.
I have loved the theme for the VT messages this year too. Your Sunday posts are always good, thanks for the reminder about getting it done. Good job on getting your VTing done so early!
im with amie and jealous your VT is done already! impressive!
you know ive been on the receiving end of having my burdens lightened..and the blog has been a HUGEEEE part in that..and for that im grateful--i could be in a serious sad lonely place if i didnt have the Gospel, prayer, family, friends and blogging-oh and the gym!!
We had ward conference today and the stake R.S. Presidency spoke all about the theme, Being an Instrument in the Lord's hands. All these messages have helped me realize the many things I do that prevent me from being that instrument.
my thoughts. i have retyped them 5 times.... so since i want to comment but don't know what to say.
love the quotes. thanks.
i love the sunday thoughts this monday, jill.
the call to service isn't always on a loud speaker, is it? i think i am learning that more and more each day.
i love the quotes you picked out. meaningful and thoughtful.
As always, your Sunday thoughts are spot on. I loved the quotes, and then your thoughts about them were just as meaningful. Thanks!
I loved this message as well. I like how you likened it to blogging as well and what a great reminder that what we face daily is just another opportunity to grow. Beautiful.
I am a "lerker" and remember reading on Michelle's blog quite a long time ago about visiting teaching that she loves it when HF picks her friends for her through the VTing program. I wish I could remember the exact quote, it was beautiful, if you find it please let me know.
Laura
Hi Lurker Laura,
The post of Michelle's that you're looking for is from June 23, 2006. You must be a long-time lurker if you remember back then. Why not become one of our friends instead?
You reminded me I want to get a subscription to the Ensign, part of my baby-steps campaign back to church. Or I can just read your posts like a sort of Cliff's notes so I can get the quick version instead of doing the work myself. And I met one of my visiting teachers this last sunday, so maybe I'll be on the receiving end of this message as well.
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