All over FaceBook and the news one can find stories of abandoned infants, drug curtails, divorce, and violence. Every once in a while you run into a small article, perhaps tucked in a corner in the middle of the newspaper, that seems to say, "Some people are still good. Don't give up on us yet." But there never seems to be enough of it, which is why, when I was collecting stories of service for a short sermon in church some weeks ago, I could not get enough of them. It was like sitting by a warm, crackling fire after playing out in the snow all morning, and, asking forgiveness rather than permission of those whose stories were told, I wish to share some of that warmth.
For my talk, I'd asked a number of people two questions. The first was, "What is the most meaningful service you've given?" The responses were as follows:
"I've had some really special ladies who I visit taught. I became good friends with them. It was interesting because I didn't have a lot in common with them. But during the experiences I had serving and teaching and chatting and praying and fasting with them, I all of a sudden created a really tight bond with them and cared for them really, really, deeply. I was surprised that when someone was really different than me, when I served, loved, and took care of them, I all of a sudden loved them with all my heart."
"The most meaningful service I've given has been to my children and husband, just trying to think about what they need and how to help them with their schedule and their demands."
"The most meaningful service I've given has been to my children. It's the times when i'm the most tired and they ask me to play a game or watch them do a new trick . . . It's the simple things they want. It's when you're really tired but you have this feeling, 'this is important. They're not always going to want you to do this.' They want your attention. They want your time."
"The thing that popped into my mind first was the time when I was able to give extended service to a woman who had had recent surgery. I was able to provide a few meals and convinced her it was okay for me to come provide regular cleaning service, as well. The best part about it was I was able to involve my children and it gave them wonderful opportunity to learn about service first hand. And one of the nicest benefits was getting to know this woman more deeply as we spent time visiting each time we came to clean. This wonderful opportunity blessed many lives, brought people together, and was a marvelous blessing to my family."
"I had the opportunity to go to my brother's house twice when he was in the hospital and care for him and his kids. That was great because I could see the impact I was making and enabled his wife to be with him to serve him. I was able to hang with his kids so that she could serve him."
"A woman who used to be in our ward [church congregation], who had married and had three boys, had a divorce and left state pretty quickly. Quite frankly, I don't even remember how I found out about it, but when I found out, I went over to her house and helped her pack so she could get out of town. I packed for two straight days with her. Any time you follow the spirit and do what you're asked to, I think that's the most meaningful service you can give."
The second question I asked was. "What is the most meaningful service you've been given?"
"When my daughter was born, our ward just showed a lot of love and care and kindness. They really watched over us and helped us and it really made a difference to how we felt at the time. We were just really scared because we didn't know what down syndrome would mean or if she would have heart problems. She was being tested at the time. They brought dinner and clothes, played with the kids, came over to visit, and showed us a great amount of love."
"The closest family members give the biggest service to me because of the selflessness the have; my parents especially. They've done so much -- not just one big huge even but all the little things they've done over and over and over again."
"People have cleaned my home when I couldn't. They've been so nice when my son broke his leg or when I was totally sick with a baby. People have brought dinner or brought my kids to church when I hurt my ankle."
"One of the most meaningful services I've received is people just listening when I've had struggles or challenges or when I'm confused -- just to talk to someone about it is so meaningful and for them to listen and share their thoughts and experiences helps me tons."
" . . . My sister opening her home up to us. We lived there a year and a half."
"When we lost our child and people took the time to talk to me for a few minutes when they dropped off the meals. Because my husband was traveling and I was by myself, it meant a lot that they took the time to talk to me and be a listening ear and give me consoling words. Their talking to me meant more than the meals they brought."
"As I've become a parent, to think about how much my parents served me growing up . . . It's been illuminating and inspirational . . . to see the service they gave in their callings growing up and the commitment they had to their covenants."
"We had some help from our neighbors when my son was born. He was born in the middle of the night and my wife had to go to the hospital at a moment's notice and we had neighbors that came over in the middle of the night. It was meaningful because we couldn't have foreseen and planned on it and it was not convenient to them at all."
To this collection of heart-warming stories, I wish to add my own little experience. It occurred just last night at the local supermarket. I was on my way home from work and my mom had asked me to pick up one of the ingredients for our dinner that night on my way home. I bolted through the heavy rain, still in my grey work scrubs, found what I was looking for, and went to check out. It was only then, standing in line as they rang up my one item, that I realized I had no cash. But I had my debit card on me, and though I had just run it near dry purchasing text books, I figured I had a good twenty dollars left.
Have you ever experienced that embarrassingly awkward moment when you are standing in line with people waiting behind you and you realize you don't have enough to pay for what you bought?
The cashier must have seen the look on my face when I swiped my card and the small screen read "insufficient funds."
The item had rung up to twelve dollars and thirty-seven cents. I had no idea what was left on my card, but however much it was, it was not enough.
"Do you want me to hold your item for you?" the cashier asked me.
"Umm . . . yeah. I'll be back."
I then, since it was still pouring outside, stood inside by the exit where you return your cart, and called my mom, explaining to her my situation. She offered to come meet me at the store.
As I was about to hang up, a kind woman, who I recognized as the women who had been waiting behind me in line, presented eleven dollars and ninety-seven cents. With the two quarters I'd found in my purse, it would be enough.
"Are you sure?" I asked her. "My mom can come meet me."
She just smiled and handed me the money with a simple message, "Pay it forward."
Which would be why I now owe the world eleven dollars and ninety-seven cents, a debt I hope to pay time and time again, and owe for the rest of my life.
Candidly,
Cookie
