Not In Service

This past month we picked our son from the England, Birmingham Mission. It was a great experience to see where he had walked and listen to his stories as we drove past a door or street that stimulated his memory of an experience. One story that brought about much conversation and thought was of being out on a cold, wet English night waiting for the last bus to take them home at the end of a very disappointing day. Missionaries get up early and work hard all day and this had been no exception. Standing in the cold rain after their final appointment he saw the bus approaching and thought of getting on a warm bus was the one thing that would forgive the events of a very long day. As the bus rolled past without the slightest hesitation in its speed, he noticed the sign on the front that read, “Out of Service.” The thoughts of warmth and an easy ride home vanished instantly. He related to us that as he felt the sting of disappointment he decided then and there that never would he be, “Out of Service,” if someone needed him. He internalized this experience into something positive.

We talked a lot about being “Out of Service” and joked about how convenient it would be at times if we could put on a sign that declared to the world that we didn’t want to be bothered or to serve anyone. Can you just imagine our homes if we mothers put up such a sign? Or, how about in our wards if we wore a sign that said, “Out of Service in Primary” or “Out of Service if I have to work with Sister _______.” Our lives should be filled with service because it is service that makes our lives worthwhile. We should never miss these opportunities. President Kimball said that, “We cannot have spirituality without service.”

We can teach our families true service by giving time spent the “Interesting or Important Test.” Ask yourself each day how much effort was spent on interesting activities as opposed to how much time was spent on important activities. It makes us accountable for our usage of time and is a great end-of-the-day evaluation. It also makes a child aware of the activities they spend their time on. It should be very sobering if a child reports that most of the afternoon was spent playing video games.

Our families are where acts of service should be first experienced. Long ago I heard a quote that went something like this… “If you do a good turn, never remember it. If you receive a good turn, never forget it.” If only we could apply that principal to daily living. It reminds me how sometimes old grudges are talked about forever but a kindness is soon forgotten. If unconditional service to each other could be first priority how different our homes would be. The “Out of Service” sign would never appear. Love, trust, unselfishness and charity would be developed in our children. We would always be there when spouses, children or sibling really needed us.

Mother Teresa, the epitome of service, stated that, “It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing.” Can you just imagine a home where the “In Service” sign was always out or the ward where the Bishop was never turned down when issuing a calling? Pause a moment, to reflect about that kind of atmosphere. You’re right… being in a place where everyone is serving others with love would be heaven on earth.