by Terri Wagner
Usually every year at Christmas I think of a gift I can give back to my Savior for all He has done for me. This is the first year, I'm glad to say, that not only did I remember the gift but did it. It brought me closer to Him in all the ways that can mean so much.
Encouraged by this success, I have another gift in mind for this coming year. My gifts are always suppose to be a year long as a reminder all year of this special time of year. (Was that too many years?) This one will be easy to remember but I fear much harder to do...since it requires doing something I'm not particularly good at...visiting teaching.
In a small branch, your list almost always includes those not active and you never know what kind of reception you'll get. Perhaps because of the way I found the gospel (through the Osmonds), I have never been comfortable "pushing" myself that way.
But the Savior never pushes does He? He simply invites and hopes we will take advantage of His offer. So that will be my perspective this year...that I am inviting, caring, concerned (which I am) and hoping the less active will let me in.
Does anyone else have this "Gift-to-the-Savior" tradition? I started it years ago because of a young VT who was afraid to visit me because I seemed so much more accomplished than her. I wasn't, but she didn't realize that until we got to know one another better. She suggested this tradition in her first real visit to me. I loved it then. I love it now.
I love ANWA, and while I can't do as much as I would like to do (i.e., critique), I am grateful for Marsha for creating this network and Valerie Foy for getting me involved. I love blogging and hope everyone gets as much out of it as I do.
Merry Christmas.
Terri,
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciate your daily visits to my blog. Your insights always add to the thoughts I am trying to present. Merry Christas!
Terri,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog. I struggle with visiting teaching less-active members, too. Sometimes I'm better at it than others, which I guess just means I'm still growing, rather than being all growed up yet. :-)
How interesting that you were converted by the Osmonds. I didn't know that!
I am very grateful to know you and all the other wonderful sisters in ANWA, too!
Great idea, Terri! I love reading the things you write...and I always appreciate your comments. I like the perspective of giving the Savior a gift all year long...and visiting teaching is a great one!
ReplyDeleteVisiting Teaching can be a joy or a trial, depending on many things, actually. I remember how proud the Relief Society presidency in one of my 'home' wards was that for about a dozen years they had 100% visiting teaching every single month. Then the general board issued a directive that included a disasterous phrase. They could no longer count knocking on the door of an empty house as having 'visited'.
ReplyDeleteI remember one sister who didn't want to be preached at, or given a lesson, but she liked to be visited. It took some doing, but by the time we left, we'd given her the gist of the message. We just hadn't called it a lesson, nor did we read or give references.
I also remember how King Benjamin reminds us that no matter how much we give the Savior, we're still 'unprofitable servants'. The blessings are worth it.
I've got to do better. Thanks for the shot in the arm. I love this group too and always love reading your unique insights.
ReplyDeleteI can always improve my visiting teaching. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and a year long gift to Christ. One year the ward I was in set a goal to have a certain # of names submitted and temple ordinances completed as our Ward Christmas gift to Christ. That chapel session before the last ward temple night was very special. I will always remember it and seriously think on how I can incorporate a year long personal gift to Christ into my life.
ReplyDeleteThanks.