Service…

Today in Relief Society the lesson was on service.  To be completely honest with you this is something I struggle with.  I mean, I serve my family willingly, I serve in my calling in church willingly, but I have such a hard time knowing who and how to serve besides that. Sometimes I think, well if I just had the money I would do this for someone, or if I had money I would buy someone’s groceries, but I don’t really “have the money” to do all that, and not having money is not a reason why we shouldn’t serve someone. 

I can’t even tell you how much I know this is true.  When my husband and I were struggling financially we had so much help through other people who really didn’t even know we were struggling financially.  I have a friend who I swear has a device to know exactly what I need when I need it.  One day she came over with a thing of Mascara.  That morning I had thrown mine away, but didn’t have money to go buy another one.  She said she bought the wrong color and had already opened it and used it once so she couldn’t take it back.  Not only had I just completely ran out of mascara, but the kind she had was the EXACT color and kind I use!  I know that sounds silly, but it was truly a blessing to me and my face 🙂  The same friend brought by 3 loaves of bread because they had gotten a whole bunch from someone and didn’t need that many {We had no bread and our grocery budget was gone},  My husband was given odd jobs constantly that paid the bills and got us back on our feet until he found full time work.  We had random gift cards given to us, and even a few anonymous checks show up in the mail.  Having been the receiver of this service makes me want to reach out and help others. 

I think sometimes I don’t have enough confidence in myself or the act of service that comes into my mind.  I have an idea come into my mind that I want to do for someone and then I think negative thoughts about me or the act of service, like “What if they don’t like that kind of food” “What if they think I am a bad cook” or “what if they think I am rude for thinking they need some help”  and then I don’t do it because I am afraid of what others might think. 

Today during the lesson I got to thinking, am I nuts!? Who doesn’t like to be served?!?  I do, I love a helping hand, or a meal, or when someone offers to take my kids for an hour while I rest.  I need to get over myself and get to work.

The Savior set the ultimate example of service.  He teaches us in many of his sermons about how we can serve others and how important service is.  He showed us every day of his life how to serve.  If we want to be more like him, we need to learn to serve like him.  Selflessly and willingly!  It doesn’t take much.  It doesn’t have to be a big “ Ta Do”  It can be something as simple as a treat, a visit, a smile, pulling in their garbage, a hug, an invitation, a kind word, or a perhaps a meal.  But whatever it is, don’t be afraid to do it.  Be confident in that feeling that it needs to be done and just go with it!