Serving my Fellow (Wo)man--One Hat at a Time

Here is a link to President Monson's Sunday morning address (October Conference 2009) about service.

This is the part that resonated for me:

We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” ....

....My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.

You may lament: I can barely make it through each day, doing all that I need to do. How can I provide service for others? What can I possibly do?

I don't know about you, but I am often overwhelmed at the need around me, and underwhelmed at my ability to meet those needs. I also worry that I am "anxiously engaged" in busyness -- activities that steal my best energy and talent but yield little lasting value. But, I am barely making it through the day. How do I find the time? and What can I possibly do?

Here are some comforting words from 2 Corinthians:

“Brothers and sisters: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written:

‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.’

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.”

-2 Cor. 9:6-11 (from theNew American Bible)

So now, in my own modest effort, I have looms and yarn all over my house. (Is it possible for yarn to reproduce, because the mess seems to be multiplying!) I know that one little knit hat is a drop in the "slow-infant-mortality" bucket, but it is something. And maybe, who knows, for one family it might mean everything.

--Diane