It is quiet in my house. I am not tired so I am just thinking aloud.
I have been pondering about my actions a lot lately and how they might affect others around me. There have been many occasions over the last couple of months that someone has said something, or wrote something, or done something that really has bettered my life or worsened my day. It is incredible that a complete stranger can lift your spirit with just a, "Hope you have a nice day" or, "Can I help you with that."
Loughlin's favorite scripture was, "If you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." I don't think I ever really seriously invested time into wondering how much each one of my actions I perform each day could affect someone else for good or for bad. How just taking a moment to write a letter to an old friend or neighbor might improve their spirits, or helping someone with their groceries or for that matter trying to rescue your brother out of the grips of hell can and does change their hearts and their lives. Each one of us has the ability to save lives, to offer support, to put our arms around someone that thinks they have no where to go, to help a little one get a drink from a fountain, to make cookies for your children who miss their brother more than words can express, or we can choose to look inward, to only worry about ourselves, to think our time is precious and it is our time, to walk by a crying woman without asking if you can do something to help.
I know which way Christ would want us to live because he chose to stop, to serve, to love and to teach. Each act of kindness or service is an act of teaching. It is our way we leave this world a better place than how we found it. I know Loughlin always gave more than he took. I know because many have told me, "Loughlin was one of my best friends", "He always made me smile", or " He took the time to go the extra mile in service", and one little Hispanic woman that could barely speak English told Harlen, "Your son even helped us poor folk". He was what I have always wanted to be but sometimes thought I was too busy to stop and help. He was what Christ wants us all to be. At thirteen he was a giant among men.
We have this great young man in our ward named Brandon. He was born too early and had a lot of complications. He is now 14 and is struggling physically and mentally again. Loughlin loved Brandon. He invited him along and always wanted to protect him or help him anyway he could. His family was so grateful for how he treated Brandon and I feel blessed to have had Loughlin for a son. He made me a better person by watching him live. He changed lives in life and still even in death. The crowd at his funeral was a testament to my son's life.
I wish the Lord would grant me just one more hour to spend with him. I have so much to tell him, starting with I love you son.
I have been pondering about my actions a lot lately and how they might affect others around me. There have been many occasions over the last couple of months that someone has said something, or wrote something, or done something that really has bettered my life or worsened my day. It is incredible that a complete stranger can lift your spirit with just a, "Hope you have a nice day" or, "Can I help you with that."
Loughlin's favorite scripture was, "If you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." I don't think I ever really seriously invested time into wondering how much each one of my actions I perform each day could affect someone else for good or for bad. How just taking a moment to write a letter to an old friend or neighbor might improve their spirits, or helping someone with their groceries or for that matter trying to rescue your brother out of the grips of hell can and does change their hearts and their lives. Each one of us has the ability to save lives, to offer support, to put our arms around someone that thinks they have no where to go, to help a little one get a drink from a fountain, to make cookies for your children who miss their brother more than words can express, or we can choose to look inward, to only worry about ourselves, to think our time is precious and it is our time, to walk by a crying woman without asking if you can do something to help.
I know which way Christ would want us to live because he chose to stop, to serve, to love and to teach. Each act of kindness or service is an act of teaching. It is our way we leave this world a better place than how we found it. I know Loughlin always gave more than he took. I know because many have told me, "Loughlin was one of my best friends", "He always made me smile", or " He took the time to go the extra mile in service", and one little Hispanic woman that could barely speak English told Harlen, "Your son even helped us poor folk". He was what I have always wanted to be but sometimes thought I was too busy to stop and help. He was what Christ wants us all to be. At thirteen he was a giant among men.
We have this great young man in our ward named Brandon. He was born too early and had a lot of complications. He is now 14 and is struggling physically and mentally again. Loughlin loved Brandon. He invited him along and always wanted to protect him or help him anyway he could. His family was so grateful for how he treated Brandon and I feel blessed to have had Loughlin for a son. He made me a better person by watching him live. He changed lives in life and still even in death. The crowd at his funeral was a testament to my son's life.
I wish the Lord would grant me just one more hour to spend with him. I have so much to tell him, starting with I love you son.
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