Doing Good Things and The Parable of the Pencil

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.  Doctrine and Covenants 58:27

 Last Sunday, we spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  My topic was on ways to do good things for others, as related to President Eyring's talk in April's General Conference, "Opportunities to Do Good."  Because of this, I have been more in tune with noticing the many good things people do all the time.

We gain our strength from the service of others, their example, and the wonderful stories we hear of the poor and needy being helped by charitable organizations throughout the world and individuals who give their lives away in service to help others.  Passing those stories on brightens up the world.  You've noticed in this blog I love to post uplifting things others have written or done that have touched me.  I like to think of it as service, though some people think it is spam.  They can always delete it, if they find no worth in it, but if it helps even one person, it seems worth sharing.

The world reports a lot of bad news, but there is so much more good being done that we should run a good news broadcast to counter the negative sensationalism.  It will brighten our hope and help us see that every little act of  kindness is like a pebble in a pond, with ripples going out affecting others far beyond our comprehension.

There are so many behind-the-scenes servers no one knows about but Heavenly Father.  Sometimes we catch a glimpse of a "server" humbly going about putting hymn books right in the chapel, picking up stuff on the floors, being there to help carry refreshments, put up chairs, or take down tables, when it isn't their direct responsibility.  We see them helping someone out a door, carrying an armload of things to someone's car, giving lifts to those with no car, quietly donating to help another in need, or doing other acts of charity out of pure love.  The list goes on . . .

A daughter, living in Colorado, related how she and her husband stopped to help a man who had run out of gas.  They were late to work, but she said in the large scheme of things the man mattered the most.  It turned out the man had just moved to their area from another state.  Think how that man must feel about all of the people in Denver!

We can all be angels to others in some way.  We are God's instruments in his hands.  It has been said that God does hear our prayers, but it is often through us he answers them.  May we be the answer to someone's prayers.

Speaking of sharing, one of the other senior missionaries passed this on to me from her sister's blog.

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

Author Unknown

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

ONE: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.

TWO: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.

THREE: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

FOUR: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

AND FIVE: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now, replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

ONE: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

TWO: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.

THREE: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

FOUR: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

AND FIVE: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

Her comment:  By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.

Another excerpt robbed from this same sister missionary's blog (mouldermemories.blogspot.com):  I heard a little story in prayer meeting last week that I would like to share and I hope that I remember in my life.

Elder Conlin, the British Zone Leader told about years ago when he had a young family to support with nine children on a barley farm in Soda Springs, Idaho. This particular year there was an early snow which was devastating to his crop. The big machines can't cut the barley when the snow is heavy enough to pull the heads down to the ground and much of the grain is lost.

On the morning of the snow he was walking down the road grumbling to himself and his neighbor and Stake President (who was also a barley farmer) drove by and stopped to talk. Elder Conlin said he was going on and on grumbling about the weather and the situation and how it would impact his large family, etc.  Then the Stake President said something to him that has remained with him his entire life. He said, "Bart, if the only reason you came to the earth was to grow barley then you would have something to complain about."

Be a light unto the world.  Let it so shine as to guide the way for others to follow.