What Have You Done For Someone Today?

President Thomas S. Monson gave a talk in the most recent LDS General Conference (Sunday Morning Session) about how and what have we done to provide service for someone else today. It has had me think about what I have done for anyone else. He cited simple things that children have done for others like: picking up the toy room without being asked, talking to a widow and singing her a song, bringing water from the well for their mother, watching little siblings without asking or accepting payment.

He says, "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?" With this thought in mind (that I often feel) he reminds us that as we lose ourselves in service to the Lord we will find ourselves. Serving those around us is serving the Lord, I need to remember that more often. He is also not saying that we must spend our entire day in service of others and forget our other responsibilities and duties. As we make time for sending a friend a needed note of encouragement or thanks, or making a short phone call to express gratitude for someone or something they did that is providing a service. Everyone has time in their day for one simple act of service. I have a feeling that as we work to include one simple act of service for someone else each day it will get easier to recognize when the service is needed. It will also get easier to recognize the promptings that are given to us through the Holy Ghost as well.

He also quoted Elder Richard L. Evans, "It is difficult for those who are young to understand the loneliness that comes when life changes from a time of preparation and performance to a time of putting things away. . . . To be so long the center of a home, so much sought after, and then, almost suddenly to be on the sidelines watching the procession pass by—this is living into loneliness. . . . We have to live a long time to learn how empty a room can be that is filled only with furniture. It takes someone . . . beyond mere hired service, beyond institutional care or professional duty, to thaw out the memories of the past and keep them warmly living in the present. . . . We cannot bring them back the morning hours of youth. But we can help them live in the warm glow of a sunset made more beautiful by our thoughtfulness . . . and unfeigned love."

We all have grandparents and great grandparents in this situation right now. Oh how I wish I could be closer to my grandparents to remind them of how much they are loved. Of how often I think of them and pray for them. I wish I could be closer to help relieve what loneliness they feel. This thought made me stop and remember each of the widows and older couples in my ward are parents, grandparents and great grandparents of people all over the world. I'm sure that their children and grandchildren feel the same, that they wish that someone can help ease what loneliness is felt that they cannot because of distance.

May we take the time to remember those around us. What may look perfect most definitely is not. each person needs a service that only you can provide. I'm going to try and ask myself each day, What have I done for someone today?

I am grateful for a Savior who is aware of our needs and of the needs of those around us. He knows where and how you are needed. He will show you if you just ask. I am also grateful for a living Prophet on the earth today who leads us and guides us and offers us his love and support. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of the Lord and I am grateful to have this testimony.

What have you done for someone today?