Service

There's a guy at church that always has his phone on a pole, mounted, to record sacrament. I asked him why, and he said there's an elderly lady in the ward that can't come, so they stream sacrament to her live, every Sunday. The high priests and young men go over every week to give her the sacrament, but once a month, the missionaries accompany. This week, they asked us. We went with the stake patriarch. She's no more than 60 or 65, and seems pretty lively, but has a hole in her throat, making it impossible to speak. All that she can do is mouth consonants. But we sat down, introduced ourselves, and she opened the organ she had in her home and began the meeting with a hymn. We had our own miniature sacrament meeting there, not just the blessing of the sacrament. It brought a wonderful spirit. Her home is sacred ground. Even though she can't leave her home, she spends all of her time studying the scriptures and practicing hymns to play for us, and enriching her home with the spirit and love of Christ. What a blessing it was to us to see someone with such great faith. It really helped me see what was really important. When old age comes with illness, and the new technologies of youth and fleeting friendships fade, here is this beloved sister, still clinging to the Lord. Despite her inability to do many things that would otherwise make the rest of us give up and wait for death, she spends her time learning and continuing to strengthen her faith and relationship with God. In this sister's eyes, I saw what really mattered. I saw what was truly important. I could see eternal truths. 

 

Just a short visit in her home left a huge impact on me, and she didn't even use words. I see her same example in people like my grandparents and parents, that truly know what's important, and are willing to sacrifice everything else for that. I only hope to be close to that stage when I reach that time in life.

 

Take a minute to think about or make a list of what's important in your life, and what takes the most time or priority in your life. Make sure that the things that are most important are taking up the most time. Those eternal things: families, your relationship with God, your faith, your knowledge, and your memories. Take care not to let those things that will fade away take the place of those things that truly last.

 

Elder Franchina