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14. The Visit
[The Relief Society daily fulfills its divine charge: “Charity Never Faileth”.]
I had asked to come early to visit,
For your worries had weighed on my mind,
And a morning’s fresh start, and a listening heart,
Might assist you find hope and unwind.
So outside, while still dark, I considered
Each unhappy lament that you told.
But your angry complaints, born of faith grown so faint,
Brought a spirit quite distant and cold.
I first heard you recite all the problems
That you’ve had with your health as of late.
You’ve a stomach gone sour, and new ills every hour
Make you say that to suffer’s your fate.
But while you were ranking afflictions,
And naming each drug that you buy,
My attention was turned, to a green hummingbird
That playfully hovered close by.
I’ll admit, I was further distracted,
As you listed your dreads for the day,
By your precious grandchild, who came by with a smile,
And a hug-till you chased her away.
Then you spoke of the sadness you’re feeling,
From a life that you say gives no cheer,
But my mind wandered still, as my eyes stopped to thrill,
With the birth of the day drawing near.
For the daybreak before us was brilliant,
Making rainbows of dew on the lawn,
And the sun in its glory, once again told the story,
Of an empty tomb greeting the dawn.
My good friend, I don’t mean to offend you,
I don’t doubt all the sorrow you feel.
But as you grumbled on, the Spirit’s sweet song,
Reassured me that Christ’s love is real.
And I saw that to each life comes challenge.
Mortal worries and pains may cause doubt
That our Savior is near, or that Father will hear,
The prayers that our sore hearts cry out.
But within each dark cloud may be silver,
Even problems can work for the best,
Our dear Savior has known every challenge we’re shown,
And He’ll help us to pass every test.
Could it be, my dear sister, you’re blinded,
To the good things around you each day?
And these trials that offend you,
Could they be proofs God sends you,
He’ll support those who live in His way?
I’ll try harder, next visit, to listen
To your sad songs of woe and of grief,
Yet despite my own pain, I won’t join your refrain,
For I look to the Lord for relief.
Let us take all your fears, for a moment,
Place them gently at Jesus’ bruised feet.
Then go forth this fine day, seeking joy on our way,
Giving hope to each sister we meet.
By our works let us share His compassion.
Let us serve like our Savior above.
That each soul that cries out, will have no cause to doubt,
That we’ll help lift their cares with His love.
(c) www.servingjesuspoetry.com
Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
Matthew 6:28-33
28. “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29. "And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30. "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31. "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32. "(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed.), pp. 701-702
“The saints, for instance, should have confidence in their own abilities, efforts, and judgments to make a living, to increase in faith and the attributes of godliness, to work out their salvation, to pass all the tests of this mortal probation. They should know that the Lord has not placed his children in positions beyond their capacities to cope with, that the normal trials and tribulations of life are part of the eternal system.
Ordinarily members of the Church should make their own personal decisions, using the agency the Almighty has given them, without running to their bishops or others for direction. But with it all, man of himself is not wholly self-sufficient. He is not to trust solely in his own strength, nor in the arm of flesh. The Lord is his Counselor and Deliverer, upon whom he must rely for guidance, direction, and inspiration.”
[The Relief Society daily fulfills its divine charge: “Charity Never Faileth”.]
I had asked to come early to visit,
For your worries had weighed on my mind,
And a morning’s fresh start, and a listening heart,
Might assist you find hope and unwind.
So outside, while still dark, I considered
Each unhappy lament that you told.
But your angry complaints, born of faith grown so faint,
Brought a spirit quite distant and cold.
I first heard you recite all the problems
That you’ve had with your health as of late.
You’ve a stomach gone sour, and new ills every hour
Make you say that to suffer’s your fate.
But while you were ranking afflictions,
And naming each drug that you buy,
My attention was turned, to a green hummingbird
That playfully hovered close by.
I’ll admit, I was further distracted,
As you listed your dreads for the day,
By your precious grandchild, who came by with a smile,
And a hug-till you chased her away.
Then you spoke of the sadness you’re feeling,
From a life that you say gives no cheer,
But my mind wandered still, as my eyes stopped to thrill,
With the birth of the day drawing near.
For the daybreak before us was brilliant,
Making rainbows of dew on the lawn,
And the sun in its glory, once again told the story,
Of an empty tomb greeting the dawn.
My good friend, I don’t mean to offend you,
I don’t doubt all the sorrow you feel.
But as you grumbled on, the Spirit’s sweet song,
Reassured me that Christ’s love is real.
And I saw that to each life comes challenge.
Mortal worries and pains may cause doubt
That our Savior is near, or that Father will hear,
The prayers that our sore hearts cry out.
But within each dark cloud may be silver,
Even problems can work for the best,
Our dear Savior has known every challenge we’re shown,
And He’ll help us to pass every test.
Could it be, my dear sister, you’re blinded,
To the good things around you each day?
And these trials that offend you,
Could they be proofs God sends you,
He’ll support those who live in His way?
I’ll try harder, next visit, to listen
To your sad songs of woe and of grief,
Yet despite my own pain, I won’t join your refrain,
For I look to the Lord for relief.
Let us take all your fears, for a moment,
Place them gently at Jesus’ bruised feet.
Then go forth this fine day, seeking joy on our way,
Giving hope to each sister we meet.
By our works let us share His compassion.
Let us serve like our Savior above.
That each soul that cries out, will have no cause to doubt,
That we’ll help lift their cares with His love.
(c) www.servingjesuspoetry.com
Unlimited non-commercial usage allowed.
Matthew 6:28-33
28. “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29. "And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30. "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31. "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32. "(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine (2nd ed.), pp. 701-702
“The saints, for instance, should have confidence in their own abilities, efforts, and judgments to make a living, to increase in faith and the attributes of godliness, to work out their salvation, to pass all the tests of this mortal probation. They should know that the Lord has not placed his children in positions beyond their capacities to cope with, that the normal trials and tribulations of life are part of the eternal system.
Ordinarily members of the Church should make their own personal decisions, using the agency the Almighty has given them, without running to their bishops or others for direction. But with it all, man of himself is not wholly self-sufficient. He is not to trust solely in his own strength, nor in the arm of flesh. The Lord is his Counselor and Deliverer, upon whom he must rely for guidance, direction, and inspiration.”