Friday, October 22, 2010

Exploding Service

Pres. Monson always repeats this sweet poem:


I have wept in the night 
for the shortness of sight  
that to somebody's need made me blind;
But I never have yet
 felt a tinge of regret
 for being a little too kind.

We made and gave away cupcakes for family night activity.  It was late when we started (8:00 is late when you are 8) , Laila had homework, was tired and I almost talked us all out of it.  Laila insisted by saying it was the one thing she had looked forward to all day. 
So we muddled through.
We got the chocolate cupcakes out of the oven, quickly frosted them,  sprinkled on some farm animal sprinkles, and  put them on balloon motif paper plates.   
It was now almost 9:00......  
Who to give the cupcakes to?  Laila thought and thought, made some notes and out the door we went.

We gave some to a "broken" family friend who just got in a skateboard accident and had stitches and banged up  body parts.  His sis answered the door. Laila presented the cakes and got a cute squeal of delight.  Laila got in the car and announced, "That was fun!"
Off to the next house.
The Dad answered the door....couldn't believe the thoughtfulness.  Laila was grinning from ear to ear.
The final house....no one was home.  As we were just giving up and pulling away,  the mom van finally appeared full of family.  Laila gave the cupcakes, talked a bit,  got in our car and said,
"I just feel so good...it's like my heart is exploding!  Why does service feel so good?  I bet Jesus' heart felt like this all of the time! ...... Except for that one time when he was on the cross."

I didn't want to make the cupcakes.  I was tired, Laila was tired.  It was inconvenient....but the Spirit said...."DO IT"  So we did.  It's good to be reminded about the value of service. 


Service, real service, is a cure for pretty much everything.

Feel tired?
Serve. Feel discouraged? Serve. Feel ugly or fat? Serve.

Don't know who? 

Ask the Man upstairs.
He'll tell you who needs you................and your heart will feel like it's exploding!
(pic taken last year at this time.....cake batter girl....old kitchen)

I am only one; but still am one. 
I cannot do everything, but I still can do something. 
I will not refuse to do the something I can do. --Helen Keller

4 comments:

Erin Blake said...

Thanks Melinda! I will serve someone today!

Lisa Childs said...

:)This is like my Tasty Tuesday.. but I wish I could see their reactions! Such a great post! I totally agree. Laila looked way cute in her mini bravegirl costume at the game last night!

Laura said...

Hey…This is so cute. I have really been praying lately that I can find people that I might serve. I certainly can take a lesson from Laila once again. The children in our Primary seems to get the whole idea of people and caring. laura

Diane said...

Bob's Grandma had that quote about kindness on her fridge and I memorized it because it is wonderful and we all need to remember it. You and Laila are terrific examples. We can all be more kind and do more service. Thanks!