Popular Post Rain Posted August 31, 2017 Popular Post Posted August 31, 2017 Last night a thought came to me, "you can't have true compassion without having been served". I thought over that, wondering if it were true. If we think about the ultimate example of compassion, the Savior, we know He was served by a couple of people, so his example doesn't negate the idea. When my husband lost his job the Spirit very strongly told me, "let people help you". My husband had similar feelings. Financially we were ok as we were prepared with money and food etc and only had a mortgage. While my husband was stressed over getting a job, overall we felt at peace. Things were ok and we didn't need the help that many do. But we took the Spirit's advice and let people help us. When people gave us things we graciously accepted. When people offered to help us with stuff to get the house sold we accepted. It was one of the sweetest things for us. People always talk about how you grow to love the people you serve, but as we accepted without pride those who served us we grew in love for them. That pride barrier had prevented us from feeling that before in past times. So last night I was thinking that maybe to feel truly compassionate you need to feel humble first. You need to know what it is like to be served. Thoughts? 7
rongo Posted August 31, 2017 Posted August 31, 2017 What an intriguing thought! I've always had a hard time being the recipient of service. Personal pride, etc. I don't look down on people who receive service, and serving makes me feel good, but by disposition, I would move heaven and earth not to need service. My wife has been hospitalized twice for lengthy periods of time for major surgeries (she has had portions of her colon and small intestine removed) over the last ten years. When it struck, I had been a bishop for a few months and our kids were very young. I used up all of my vacation time (school teacher) and had to take months of FMLA time (unpaid) to take care of the kids, take care of her, etc. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of help, and offers of help, from Church members and from colleagues at school. This was really hard for me to accept (especially anonymous money donations --- that was the hardest), and at first embarrassed me to no end. But, the help was absolutely necessary, and we couldn't have made it without it. I learned the importance of being a graceful and gracious recipient, and it actually helped me access the atonement and have a deeper understanding of charity (the pure love of Christ) and service. I actually have come to believe that you can't be fully Christlike without experiencing this, and this was hard to arrive at, because I and my family is super-self-reliant --- almost to a fault. It definitely added a new dimension to compassion that I was lacking. 2
Glenn101 Posted August 31, 2017 Posted August 31, 2017 56 minutes ago, rongo said: I actually have come to believe that you can't be fully Christlike without experiencing this, and this was hard to arrive at, because I and my family is super-self-reliant --- almost to a fault. I understand where you are coming from there. I am or was such a person. But circumstances at time forced me to humble myself and accept help, and I feel I did so graciously. I rather agree with Rain that it really helps for a person to undergo a period of need and deprivation, to learn how to appreciate the plights of others who might need our help. Aren't we all beggars before God? Glenn 2
Jeanne Posted August 31, 2017 Posted August 31, 2017 I know that I don't really liked to be helped...but one day, someone came to the door with a nice casserole when my sister passed...there was a look of love and even joy in that face..we should not deprive that joy from those who give to us. In one simple act..there is a connection that fills the soul ...both ways. 4
rongo Posted August 31, 2017 Posted August 31, 2017 1 minute ago, Jeanne said: I know that I don't really liked to be helped...but one day, someone came to the door with a nice casserole when my sister passed...there was a look of love and even joy in that face..we should not deprive that joy from those who give to us. In one simple act..there is a connection that fills the soul ...both ways. It's helped me to receive service in the spirit in which it is given. I agree that we (I) should not deprive others of the joy of serving. 2
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