When we love the Lord with all our might, mind, heart and strength we love others. And charity can fill your life and the lives you touch. I learned this heaven sent concept at a young age through many acts of charity in my own life.
Good men and women have been my examples; who taught me to see the love in what others say and do. Before you read any further, please know that I'm just an ordinary woman trying to do my best to emulate the Savior. We can each do this in our own unique way.
I admire President Spencer W. Kimball, who illustrated this truth in an inspiring example the Savior gave us all. He said: “[The Savior’s] gifts were rare ones: eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were … forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing. His friends gave him shelter, food, and love. He gave them of himself, his love, his service, his life. … We should strive to give as he gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift” (The Wondrous Gift [1978], 2).
Recently I read a personal accounting of a lovely Sister Missionary who was assisting a 90 plus year old woman in the repairs to her log cabin in Siberia. She had been doing the repairs herself in her advanced years--actually climbing on her roof to do so. The Sisters found out and for their P-day she and her mission companion helped this dear woman to chink the walls with horse hair. It wasn't a glamorous job. It's the traditional way to plug holes that the frigid air flowed through. The Elders repaired the roof for her.
I had the pleasure seeing the joy on the Sister Missionaries face in the photo-- as she gave of herself to this sweet woman so far away from home. She also spoke of the joy the older woman mirrored in her gratitude. Both of these women, the giver and the receiver of this act of service were blessed.
I also remember my Great Grandma and how she used to take people into her heart and home. I had the blessing of being loved by her and admired her so much for her open heart and her kindness towards others. She loved to feed all who were willing to partake of her hospitality. In her 90's people enjoyed their visits with her in the retirement home-- where she lived out her last years here on earth.
There are simple blessings that come from being kind to others that ebb and flow through our lives. Another, is that the pain of lonlines is often replaced with the joy of true friendships through charity. When you go outside of yourself to help others in any way, you find that you become a light to others--even a beacon of hope for a few. Especially if you are not doing it for selfish gain.
Another gift I've felt in my own life is a deepened sense of compassion towards people I meet each day. It is a wonderful gift and a blessing in my own life.
I'm sure the act of giving of yourself will bless each person in many ways. You'll never know unless you try.
To all the women out there reading this in cyber space--please remember the words of President Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society General President, "I ask that our love of God be reflected in our willingness to serve and be served. May we in our homes teach concern for others, sacrifice, and service. I earnestly pray that we may share our gifts from God whether they be our minds, our music, our athletic ability, our leadership, our compassion, our sense of humor, our peaceful countenance, or our resilience and rejoicing. With charitable hearts may we do remarkable work in these last days. And then we will merit the pronouncement from Jesus Christ, “For this is Zion—the pure in heart.”
Scripture Quote:
"Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is the love that Christ has for the children of men and that the children of men should have for one another. It is the highest, noblest, and strongest kind of love and the most joyous to the soul" (see 1 Nephi 11:23).
I also remember my Great Grandma and how she used to take people into her heart and home. I had the blessing of being loved by her and admired her so much for her open heart and her kindness towards others. She loved to feed all who were willing to partake of her hospitality. In her 90's people enjoyed their visits with her in the retirement home-- where she lived out her last years here on earth.
There are simple blessings that come from being kind to others that ebb and flow through our lives. Another, is that the pain of lonlines is often replaced with the joy of true friendships through charity. When you go outside of yourself to help others in any way, you find that you become a light to others--even a beacon of hope for a few. Especially if you are not doing it for selfish gain.
Another gift I've felt in my own life is a deepened sense of compassion towards people I meet each day. It is a wonderful gift and a blessing in my own life.
I'm sure the act of giving of yourself will bless each person in many ways. You'll never know unless you try.
To all the women out there reading this in cyber space--please remember the words of President Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society General President, "I ask that our love of God be reflected in our willingness to serve and be served. May we in our homes teach concern for others, sacrifice, and service. I earnestly pray that we may share our gifts from God whether they be our minds, our music, our athletic ability, our leadership, our compassion, our sense of humor, our peaceful countenance, or our resilience and rejoicing. With charitable hearts may we do remarkable work in these last days. And then we will merit the pronouncement from Jesus Christ, “For this is Zion—the pure in heart.”
Scripture Quote:
"Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is the love that Christ has for the children of men and that the children of men should have for one another. It is the highest, noblest, and strongest kind of love and the most joyous to the soul" (see 1 Nephi 11:23).
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