Sunday, February 1, 2009
Fulfillment & Happiness
A couple of weeks ago I was able to go with my girls and their Activity Days group ( a church group for girls ages 8-12) to do Meals On Wheels, also known as Loaves And Fishes. It was such a great experience. The people that we served that day lived in such humble circumstances. I wish you could see how the faces of those we served would light up when they saw us standing at their doorstep. I got the feeling several times that we were probably the only conversation some of these people would have for the day. As we entered the home of one man in particular I immediately smelled a terrible stench. There were cigarette butts laying all over the counter top. The place was a mess. But inside this humble abode was a man who had a big smile and was so excited to share with us about his new police scanner radio that his friend had let him borrow. He expressed a heartfelt gratitude for the meal that we had brought to him. As we left his trailer I was filled with gratitude for my own living conditions. I felt so grateful for a nice warm home and nice cars to drive. I felt so grateful that I can buy groceries and put a warm meal on the table for my family each day. As I was pondering my blessings it hit me really strongly that while I am blessed with these "things of the world" they are NOT the things that bring happiness and fulfillment into my life. It is my testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ, that brings fulfillment and happiness into my life. It is my family that brings fulfillment and happiness into my life. It is my knowledge that I have a purpose on this Earth and that if I will live a righteous life and do my very best, one day I will return to live with my Heavenly Father. These are the things that bring fulfillment and happiness into my life. Would it totally suck if all of our worldly possessions were taken away? Absolutely! But, would it be the end of the world? Absolutely not. I am grateful for the Gospel in my life that helps me to put life into perspective and helps me to set my priorities straight. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to go with my girls and serve those who needed our help. And I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who took the time to notice ME in my moment of pondering and used that time to open my heart and my mind and teach me about those things that are TRULY important.
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5 comments:
Sounds like a pretty cool experience. There's nothing like seeing those who have very little being so appreciative for the small bounty the Lord provides them. It reminds me that I need to be continually grateful for all the many things with which the Lord blesses me!
What a great experience for you and them, and always a good sense of perspective to get about how blessed we are!
What a great experience to share with your daughter. I might steal this idea since I'm the Activity Day leader in our ward for the 10 and 11 year-olds. You are absolutely right about figuring out what is truly important. And if we can teach that to our children they will be much better individuals because of it.
Like I said on Facebook, I have done this with my kids too. I really think children need to see that not everyone leads such an easy comfortable life. In fact, most people don't. I am so grateful for those times I get to serve and give somethign back for everything I do have.
Thanks for your testimony! I delivered food too when I was a kid with my parents.
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