The Good We Do


 




Last week we had our 7th grade open house for the Junior High where I just started working.


I was a bit nervous in a new role and place but this class of 7th graders happens to be a class I was a preschool teacher to.  So out of the hundreds of students, 34 were in my room for a year and my heart forever.


It was with sheer joy that I saw those beautiful 4-year old eyes now showing their own fear and trepidation in bigger bodies with the curves of young women and the facial hair of young men.  


I was greeted with hugs and high fives - my own tender mercy.  Relationships matter!


Most children remembered me, a few didn't - but every parent did.


And then one young lady approached with her Mom and mom's eyes found mine.


She lit up with a smile and brought her daughter over.  


"Gabbi"  didn't remember me.  But her mama did.  And I thought back to the extra hug this little one needed each day.  That she needed me to hold her hand BEFORE she got out of the car and all the way to the classroom.  And that she progressed from shy whispers to loud giggles and engagement over the year.  


And then....


And then mom said, "Gabbi", this is the lady who gave you that blanket you still sleep with every night."


And tears filled my eyes.  


My sweet friend Anita would lovingly make beautiful soft fleece blankets for each of my kiddos at Christmas each year.  And I would share that love from her.  


This girl was one who was very excited to have her very own blanket and wrapped it around herself in quiet joy.  


Anita didn't know if those kids would hold on to them as a treasure but here at this moment was that truth. 


Anita's love in the form of a blanket, and mine in the form of a reassuring hand to hold mattered.  


Even if we didn't see the results.


Speaking to the Relief Society about their many good offerings, President Gordon B Hinckley challenged us to keep doing good with this reminder and promise. 


"....You may never know how much good you accomplish. Someone’s life will be blessed by your effort. May you know the comforting, rewarding embrace of the Holy Spirit."


Follow promptings.  Do good.  You may never know how much good you accomplish. 


But every once in awhile, you might catch a glimpse.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Never Fall Away

Image
  In Alma chapter 23, the sons of Mosiah preached to the Lamanites. The law was declared that the word of God could not be obstructed. Note that the law did NOT say that everyone had to embrace and follow it, but their synagogues and temples and homes should be open to them. And then in verse six, something stuck out to me. Something that applies to our day. “They were converted unto the Lord and never did fall away.” NEVER DID FALL AWAY?? That sounds  like an important need in our day.   My immediate question was HOW?  So I read more closely. Verse 7: “For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.”  They became a righteous people. They did lay down the weapons of their rebellion. They did not fight against God. They did not fight against their brethren. So what does that mean for us?  BECOME a righteous people.  Be willi
Read more

Trust

Image
  As I was riding a bike down the former train route along the Idaho-Montana border, I had hours to quietly reflect and appreciate the lush mountain landscape extending around me as far as I could see.   I was in a prayerful state, open to the promptings of the Spirit.   At one point I came to the edge of a meadow and needed to sit and rest for a bit.   There I found a lovely rustic bench made from a tree right there in the forest.  And it occurred to me how often the things we need are right there in our lives around us. The people, the resources, our talents and gifts. Psalm 34:8 lovingly promises “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him”. He will provide.   And as we learn to recognize that help, we will become more grateful and happy. 
Read more

Seeing

Image
  Even after a full semester, the young 7th grader, who I will call Anna, didn’t seem to have any friends. She said didn’t mind and felt anxious around people.   I rotated her through groups and she would participate as directed but rarely smiled, although she didn’t seem particularly sad or distraught either.   More of an acceptance that this was her life. She didn’t ever talk back or ask questions but she also didn’t complete assignments quite right.  Her other teachers also said that she didn’t follow directions well.   I was patient.  Building trust.  With her and within our classroom.  This had to be a safe place to share the hard parts. And two months ago she finally told me.  She couldn’t see the board.   As in she couldn’t read it without getting within 6 inches of the board! I immediately emailed our school nurse who gave her a screening.  When I asked Anna she said that the test was fine. But the troubles persisted and finally I reached out to her mom and expla
Read more