Cookies and cute, clever handouts are nice, but remember you are the Lord's messenger. Be more concerned about the spirit and message you bring to the home of the sisters you visit. Love them, support them, just be there!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Just a Thought
As you think about going Visiting Teaching here's a thought by Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve:
".... the Church is a place for imperfect people to gather together - even with all their mortal frailties - and become better."
When I first joined the church during a Sunday School lesson the teacher taught we could never be completely perfect like Christ but we could be work at being near perfect. In fact we could be perfect. Maybe not in all areas, but still perfect in some areas. He said it's not like we are being asked to part the Red Sea or give up chocolate! We just need to work at being perfect one principle at a time. And then he listed all the things he thought we could be perfect at: paying tithing, following the Word of Wisdom, attending our meetings. These are things we could do 100%! They are easily measured so we can feel success as we move to the more difficult principles like always being kind, always having good thoughts, etc. And even with the more difficult principles we can be successful for a day then two, then a week.
So I challenged myself at the time to work at being near perfect by always paying our tithing and fast offerings. Then I added the Word of Wisdom. Then studying the scriptures (haven't quite master this one). In short I focus at being more like Christ just one or two principles at a time. Sometimes I am successful, sometimes I need to work a little harder.
A few years ago I took on the challenge to have 100% Visiting Teaching. Sometimes I fall short. Sometimes my sisters don't cooperate. Sometimes I'm may be sick. Sometimes my companion may be sick or out of town. Sometimes I just don't want to go. But, I always remember the Lord knows my heart. He knows if I'm doing my best, trying my hardest or just putting off a sacred duty He has entrusted to me. Remember He loves the sisters and has asked visiting teachers to keep a watchful eye their assigned sisters for Him!
Forget your imperfections and failing in the past regarding visiting teaching. We are all imperfect. We all struggle. Focus at being better, work at being near perfect. Set a goal to go Visiting Teaching. Love the sisters you visit and your companion. Be a friend. Be ready to jump in and help. Give a lesson. Like Elder Wirthlin shared we are imperfect but we can become better. So be perfect or at least near perfect - Go Visiting Teaching!
".... the Church is a place for imperfect people to gather together - even with all their mortal frailties - and become better."
When I first joined the church during a Sunday School lesson the teacher taught we could never be completely perfect like Christ but we could be work at being near perfect. In fact we could be perfect. Maybe not in all areas, but still perfect in some areas. He said it's not like we are being asked to part the Red Sea or give up chocolate! We just need to work at being perfect one principle at a time. And then he listed all the things he thought we could be perfect at: paying tithing, following the Word of Wisdom, attending our meetings. These are things we could do 100%! They are easily measured so we can feel success as we move to the more difficult principles like always being kind, always having good thoughts, etc. And even with the more difficult principles we can be successful for a day then two, then a week.
So I challenged myself at the time to work at being near perfect by always paying our tithing and fast offerings. Then I added the Word of Wisdom. Then studying the scriptures (haven't quite master this one). In short I focus at being more like Christ just one or two principles at a time. Sometimes I am successful, sometimes I need to work a little harder.
A few years ago I took on the challenge to have 100% Visiting Teaching. Sometimes I fall short. Sometimes my sisters don't cooperate. Sometimes I'm may be sick. Sometimes my companion may be sick or out of town. Sometimes I just don't want to go. But, I always remember the Lord knows my heart. He knows if I'm doing my best, trying my hardest or just putting off a sacred duty He has entrusted to me. Remember He loves the sisters and has asked visiting teachers to keep a watchful eye their assigned sisters for Him!
Forget your imperfections and failing in the past regarding visiting teaching. We are all imperfect. We all struggle. Focus at being better, work at being near perfect. Set a goal to go Visiting Teaching. Love the sisters you visit and your companion. Be a friend. Be ready to jump in and help. Give a lesson. Like Elder Wirthlin shared we are imperfect but we can become better. So be perfect or at least near perfect - Go Visiting Teaching!
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