Sunday Sunshine: Serving Others

I realized it's been a while since I posted a "Sunday Sunshine" post and today at church we focused on service and charity. No matter what religion you are, charity and serving others is probably a big part of your life and beliefs. We have a Relief Society in the LDS church which focuses on service and helping the women of our church. Christ is the perfect example of serving others, he taught us how to perform selfless works of charity and show a pure love for our neighbors.  It is important to remember that God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom.

I have experienced first hand the love and charity of others service and Christ like love for me. In October 2007 we still had not received much hope from transplant centers that I would be accepted as a potential organ recipient. We had hope and faith that God had a plan for me. I could not do it alone. Bryan and I sold our house, and pretty much everything else that had any value or that was a debt for us so we could be prepared to move/travel for a transplant. However, we did not have enough resources or money to be able to do what it was going to take to get a transplant. That is where we had to humble ourselves and ask for help from others.  It's hard to 'ask for help' and admit that 'we couldn't do it on our own'.  I prayed for help, strength, and for a way for us to have what we needed. . . . . my prayers were answered through the service of people from church, community, friends, family and from people who didn't even know me. Friends AND  strangers who heard of my need and had the compassion and means to help. I was very blessed to have had the opportunity to attend the spaghetti fundraiser the day before I left for Pittsburgh. I was very sick, much sicker than I thought I was.  When I saw the amount of people who took their time and gave their money to benefit me and help me raise the money we needed for the transplant, I was strengthened. Every penny donated was confirmation that God heard my prayers and he works miracles through others. I will never be able to thank everyone who helped me in whatever way they did. .  . . but not a day goes by that I don't think about all the service and love I received and I am thankful and reminded of all that service with every breath I take.  People gave of their time, talents, love and resources and they all were a part of the miracle!

Service to others deepens and sweetens this life while we are preparing to live in a better world. It is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves! [See Matthew 10:39.]

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