Service – LDS Daily Devotionals

Simple Service

October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 nicolepmiles

“I believe that most members consider service to be at the heart of their covenants and discipleship. But I also think that sometimes it’s easy to miss some of the greatest opportunities to serve others because we are distracted or because we are looking for ambitious ways to change the world and we don’t see that some of the most significant needs we can meet are within our own families, among our friends, in our wards, and in our communities. We are touched when we see the suffering and great needs of those halfway around the world, but we may fail to see there is a person who needs our friendship sitting right next to us in class.” (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “The Needs Before Us,” General Women’s Conference, October 2017)

I have been finding myself in a funk at the end of the day quite often lately. The days are busy and I have been feeling the overwhelm and feeling like I am rarely hitting the mark. I will definitely admit to being addicted to my devices, and the time wasted certainly doesn’t help me feel any better about my task list and makes me feel guilty about the things I “should” be doing. I love to help other people but between the overwhelm and the distraction I have not been doing a very good job of seeing the needs of those around me. I need to make a focused effort to put down my phone and connect with the humans around me. I know when they make the effort to connect with me it changes my day. I can do the same for them.

At the same time, I think we need to give ourselves some credit for the good that we do—even the “small” stuff. Raising children IS service. The things we do for our family members matter and make a difference. They are not insignificant and we need to stop feeling like we aren’t doing enough when we are making our best efforts.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: List the ways you served another person today—changing diapers, feeding children, working outside the home to provide for your family—every little thing you did counts! Then make a list of other ways you can serve in your home, family, and neighborhood.

Call to Action: Choose 3 things from your list to do this week. They don’t have to be grand gestures, they can be small and simple.

Mindfulness Tip: When you feel the urge to reach for your phone today, make yourself wait 5 minutes and spend those minutes trying to be in the present moment.

Always Enough to Serve

October 17, 2017October 17, 2017 nicolepmiles

“Perhaps you don’t consider yourself all that useful; perhaps you don’t consider yourself a blessing in somebody’s life. Often, when we look at ourselves, we see only our limitations and deficiencies. We might think we have to be “more” of something for God to use us—more intelligent, more wealthy, more charismatic, more talented, more spiritual. Blessings will come not so much because of your abilities but because of our choices. And the God of the universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Yearning For Home,” October General Conference 2017)

I have found myself in the trap of the “not enough” frequently. I am not a crafter. My house is a mess. I am willing to serve, but not always great at seeing others needs. I am great at advice, but sometimes what is really needed is for me to just shutup and listen. I am not as good at that… I am a talker and don’t always have great impulse control. The classic ways of serving others are not really my forte. Others seem to have so many talents that I just completely lack.

But God created us to be individuals. We all have different strengths and weaknesses. We all go about things a little differently. If God wanted us to all serve in the same way, he would have given us all the same talents. No. God needs our differences. He needs our individuality. He needs your unique gifts just as much as the standard, “typical,” more visual talents. Our job is to figure out what our gifts are, and then figure out how we can use them to serve others. When we make that effort, God will use us to do great and mighty things—or maybe just small, but equally wonderful things for the one person who needed it at that moment.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: What are your unique talents and gifts? How can you use them to serve?

Mindfulness Tip: “When you are meditating by using your breath as your anchor to the present moment, keep observing mind active by saying in and out silently to yourself as you breathe. This will help you gently tether your awareness to your breath. Keep alert for movements of the mind that draw your attention away from the breath.” (Rogers, Holly B. 2016. “The Mindful Twenty-Something.” Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.)

Daily Devotionals

I Will Bless Thee Forever

September 24, 2017 nicolepmiles

Quote/Scripture of focus “Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou has done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments. And now, because thou has done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever…” Helaman 10:4-5

“God’s greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward. It goes to those who serve without fanfare; those who quietly go about seeking ways to help others; those who minister to others simply because they love God and God’s children” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Greatest Among You,” General Conference, April 2017).

I have seen examples of such service all my life. The former bishop who serves just as faithfully in his new nursery calling as he did as bishop. The high councilman turned primary teacher who spends just as much time planning his primary lesson as he did preparing his sacrament meeting talks. The visiting teacher who serves out of love, not to get her numbers met. The empty nester who came to my house and played trains with my 2 year old for hours so I could unpack my kitchen and take a nap when we moved into a new apartment with a 2 week old baby. The friend who showed up with a diet coke when I needed it the most. The brother who gave up his precious treasure to his little brother who was sad. The mother who serves her children with all of her heart.

We have examples like Nephi, son of Helaman, in the scriptures. We also have examples all around us of people who serve with “unwearyingness.” They serve and share the love of Christ with those around them because that is just who they are. They don’t know that we see them, and they don’t care who is watching. They aren’t doing it for us. They are doing it for Him—and so can we. As we do we will be “blessed forever” just as Nephi was.

Meditation and Journaling Prompt: Think of a time when you served with “unwearyingness” and without expecting some reward for your service

Call to Action: Pray for opportunities to serve, then listen and act when the Spirit prompts you today. It doesn’t need to be some grand gesture to be meaningful. Let God direct you where He needs you today.

Mindfulness Tip: Stop. Breathe. Feel. Listen.