Monday, October 18, 2010

Acts of Service: 1

Thank you, Sister Nott and Sister Grawe!

Today, I was struggling to keep my 3 kids quiet in church. My husband, assigned to speak, was seated on the stand. I had to take my kids out once before the Sacrament was passed and once after. But I kept dragging the kids back into the chapel because I didn't want to miss Dan's talk. Then you two sweet sisters met me in the foyer and said you'd love to hold and read to and play with my kids so that I could go back in and listen to my husband. I did. And it was wonderful. You both said you'd been there, where I am, trying to keep busy little ones quiet during church. And now you're grandmas helping out a frazzled young mom who really appreciates you. It meant so much to me.

You really made my Sunday.

Love,
Megan

I'm working on gratitude. I think I'm always working on gratitude because I find I can never be grateful enough. I'm working on gratitude for the {personal progress program} at church. Each day for 2 weeks I'll be sharing a quiet act of service I see performed. Join me, if you'd like. 

10 comments:

Jenny P. said...

What a brilliant idea. Every single Sunday my sacrament meeting is full of the quiet acts of others. My husband sits on the stand every single week... With the baby constantly needing to be up or down, I would never make it if the woman who sits behind me didn't quietly slip up and help with the other kids. Every. Single. Week. So today, like you, I'm grateful for her.

LL said...

sweet!!! I love to hear stories like this. They make me smile, and want to "try a little harder to be a little better"
Looking forward to more stories!

Jennifer said...

I'm so grateful for them, too. You definitely deserve that blessing.

K said...

That kind of service is really fun. You can see the need, knowing it so darned well, and fill it - not much time or effort involved, but great relief delivered. And to have someone you trust do such a thing? Makes you feel loved and watched over. Lovely on both ends. I used to do that myself quiet often. I wonder why I haven't done it lately. Maybe because the ward has grown up and there's not quite as much opportunity. Maybe because I'm old and sleep through other people's difficulties. But you've reminded me that I have that power. So I'll stay more awake from now on.

Pam Williams said...

One of the insights I've gained when people have done something for me is that an act of service is a microcosm of the atonement - Jesus did something for us that we couldn't do for ourselves. Having inspired, compassionate friends may not be as massive as Gethsemane or Golgotha, but it's enough to remind us that we aren't alone and it's by design that we're put here without the superman capacity to do everything for ourselves. When tough times come, who ya gonna lean on?

Tigersue said...

I am so glad they could help you out. They are wonderful ladies. My favorite quote from conference....

"When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives" President Hinckley

EmmaP said...

this post made me cry... must be tired. but i, too, have felt that frustration. it seemed like there were times in which my kids were the only ones not sitting quietly.

Marnie said...

Many times I wonder if it's worth it to take the kids to church...I realize that it is because we are setting an example for them and that is how they learn. But, yes sometimes it's hard. Bless those ladies that helped you.

Ginna said...

I LOVE this one. Such a small thing can make such a big difference, right? And how doubly frustrating it would've been to have missed Dan's talk due to crazy kids.
Lovely ladies.

the fellers said...

what a great idea, writing down these acts of service. Ok, so I read this one and started to cry. What awesome ladies in your ward, seriously, I probably would have started to bawl, just thinking about being in Sacrament meeting alone with my kids makes me want to cry, and then the actual having to do it, really does make me cry...so I am glad these ladies helped you, and you got to listen to Dan, what a great thing!

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