And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Mark 10:27
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Mark 10:27
I was visiting my father and mother the other day when a lady showed up with a bucket, shovel, mulch, pansies and forget-me-nots. Glad to be of help, my boys and girl rolled up their sleeves and got a little dirty as they helped her plant the flowers.
Last time she visited she asked my mom, “Is there anything I can do for you?” To which my mom gave the usual response, “No. I’m fine.”
My dad is dying. My mom is overanxious about what will transpire in the next few days. She is fine in her own way, but I can see the anxiety in her heart.
While we were helping her plant the flowers she said,
I asked her if there was anything I could do for her. She said she didn’t need anything. I saw that she had a flower bed in front that was overrun by weeds and had no flowers in it.
So feeling at a loss for what she could do to help comfort my mom, she came up with the simple gesture to plant flowers.
Then what she said next melted my heart,
I hope this helps her know that she really can call me if she needs anything.
Not for a checkmark, but rather a gesture to show her love and willingness. She has no idea how far this will go to touch my mom’s heart. It touched mine. My children will forever remember the flowers they helped plant to cheer up my dad in his last days…and my mom—every time she walks into her yard this spring.
This lady is my mom’s visiting teacher.
What can we really do for each other?
by Wendy 2 Comments
When praying about the sisters you visit teach, ask God what their temporal and spiritual needs are. If nothing comes to mind consider asking her these three questions:
What can I help you clean?
What projects can I help you finish?
When can I give you time for yourself?
And then maybe, just maybe she will open up to you about her real needs, both temporal and spiritual, as you work as one side-by-side.
“Throughout our lives, God’s grace bestows temporal blessings and spiritual gifts that magnify our abilities and enrich our lives. His grace refines us. His grace helps us become our best selves.” ~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2015
There is a reason babies are born so little, so as to be small enough to be held: if their body demonstrated the size of their soul, the weight of who they are—who they are to become—would overwhelm and crush the young mother who is just beginning her own transformation.
What reverence; what a gift to hold a god in embryo.
Your mother held you once, too.
Remember, it is a child’s first time through life. It is the first time he is 9 years 226 days old.
Today is brand new to him…
…And for you.