There are those who will decline. We could easily become offended, though it has more to do with our own personal feelings of rejection. It’s never easy to be told no. At times like these it’s important to keep in mind we don’t know the cause behind the refusal. It could be as simple as those we want to serve don’t have anything that needs to be done. If they are in a time of grieving they may not be in a state of mind to think of ways others can help out.
Several years ago my husband and I unexpectedly lost a baby just after he was born. We were, needless to say, devastated and in no proper frame of mind to come up with ways to be served by the sweet brothers and sisters in our ward (word for a large congregation within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
Those who decline may also be much like my husband and I, who don’t want to put anyone else out. We feel so bad when we have to ask for help. To have others volunteer their time and energy to come and do things we could very well do ourselves is very difficult for us. We’re working on this, I promise. After all, how can others enjoy the blessings of serving others when those ‘others’ refuse to be served?
So what do you do when those you want to help is less than agreeable?
Look for the little things.
Think of 1 Nephi 16:29 in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ:
“…And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.”
My next-door neighbor died recently. He was on the liver transplant list, but his health declined drastically as the colder weather settled in. At any point of the day we would see two or three cars parked at the house, so we knew his darling wife didn’t want for company.
My husband and I have offered many times to help out, but the truth is there’s not much we can do besides lend moral support. This has made it necessary to look for something little I can do.
Monday morning is garbage pickup day in our area. Typically by the time I get back home from dropping my kids off at school the garbage truck has made its’ rounds and the cans are ready to be brought back in. I always start with my neighbor to the right. It’s not that she can’t bring them in herself, but at 74 years young she is usually working and unable to do it herself first thing in the morning. After her can is in I pull in my own.
Then I head to my other neighbors and bring in both of theirs, grabbing their newspaper along the way to toss it up on their porch.
It sounds a little lame, doesn’t it? Bringing in garbage cans isn’t exactly changing the world. That’s not the point. So far as I can tell my neighbors don’t know I do this, which is okay. I’m not doing it for recognition. I do it because I sincerely desire to serve my spirit brothers and sisters. I do it because I love my neighbors. I do it because of my love for Jesus Christ.
“…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
Don’t snub the little acts of service. Even the little things help.
