A Little Place

Working

I asked the Lord, "What shall I do?"

And my love flowed warm and free. 

Then He pointed me out a tiny spot 

And said, "Tend that for me." 

I quickly relied, "Oh no, not that. 

"Why no one would ever see. 

"No matter how well my work was done; 

"Not that little place for me." 

The word He spoke, It was not stern, 

He answered me tenderly; 

"Ah, little one, search that heart of thine. 

"Are you working for them or me? 

"Nazareth was a little place, and so was Galilee."

I sat in Sacrament meeting this past Sunday and listened to the speaker talk about serving and fulfilling callings.  I felt inspired to listen and learn from his teachings.  I think that I have been so guilty of this from time to time.  I want, need, and even like to be noticed.  I like when people remember me, talk to me, or notice if I am not there.  I love to sing and speak in church.  I love to teach and lead.  But, I also love my Heavenly Father too much to refuse a small, insignificant seeming calling.  I believe that He has given me everything, and who am I to try and tell Him how to teach me!  

Case in point.  A few years ago, my husband and I were called to teach the nursery.  I have no idea why I was called!  I have raised all my children past nursery age, I have held, rocked and changed more babies than many others, yet, my bishop called us to the nursery.  So, we accepted and went to church week after week, to this one small plot of ground way in the back from any body else.  

We rarely heard what was going on, since we were both in nursery, the Priesthood and Relief Society announcements were completely missed.  We were part of the Primary, but since we did not see any of the other teachers, we did not feel like we were part of anything.  We met and kept track of the parents of the children we were responsible for.  We served in that calling nearly two years.  

It was hard for me, yet the blessings have been amazing because of it.  My sweet husband has never been outgoing.  He is reserved and quiet.  He doesn't like teaching.  He doesn't like speaking.  For years, every bishop we had despaired of finding the right place for him to serve.  One where he would learn and grow.  In the nursery, the kids did not care how well he spoke, they just cared that he had arms to hold them and a lap to sit on.  He found that he could teach a five minute lesson.  (That was as long as I could get them to sit still).  He found that the children loved him, and did not judge him because of what he might have been.  After two years we were released.  I was immediately called into the Primary to teach the three year olds (those same sweet nursery children) and my husband now teaches the High Priests.  

Yes, that is right.  My sweet never talk or teach husband is now teaching (and might I say even enjoying) a class.  Heavenly Father knew just where he needed to be in order to prepare him for other things.  Some of my most earnest prayers have been answered with that one, small, seemingly insignificant nursery leader calling.  

So, the next time you are asked to do a job that you don't want to do, ask yourself these simple questions:

Who are you serving?

Why are you serving?

Hopefully you will find your answers.   

Matt 20:27-28

     And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
     Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, 
     but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.