Mine: Thinking Outside of Yourself

When we were in the hospital, we received a gift basket from some of my extended family, which included this cutest little book called, Priceless Moments by Carol Lynn Pearson. It has a bunch of uplifting stories in it. I was touched by many of these stories, but have been thinking about one in particular this week. It's called "Mine".

"Mine"

We were on our way home after a fun evening with friends, and each of the children had a balloon I had given them. Emily's popped and she burst into tears. Johnny responded, "Good thing it wasn't mine!"

"Mine." Is anything just "mine"?

We seem to be tucked away nicely and privately in our own seperate skin, a warm little wall that protects us from everyone's problems, but our own. And from inside we can peer out and say, "Oh-children are starving in Africa. Good thing they're not mine!" Or we can say, "A house burned down just up the street this morning. Good thing it wasn't mine!"

But the borders are getting less and less clear...Scientists are proving these days that in very subtle ways every living thing is connected. Perhaps like what Jesus must have meant when he said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me."

In some magical way that we will one day understand, whenever flowers are given or balloons are popped, they are mine.

We've had so many simple acts of service given to us lately. It has proven people's willingness to help bear our burdens, even though it might not be "their" problem or burden. For example, On Monday, Zach & Shantay and Greg & Hailey called to see if they could come over for Family Home Evening. They brought dinner (yummy pizza and breadsticks from Papa Murphy's) and a darling fruit spider (that I wish I would have taken a picture of). Then Jace picked a song to sing (I love to see the Temple) and called on someone for prayer. We ended by making these cute spider cupcakes.

We all had a great time & our kids loved having some new blood in the house.

It's just one of many things that people have done to reach out to us during this sometimes difficult time. Even though neither of these guys have kids of their own, they thought of ours. I think of the many people in our ward who willingly fasted in our behalf, even though some of them had no idea who we were. It reminds me of our neighborhood who all signed a cute welcome home poster for when we got back from the hospital to show that they cared or all of the people who finished pulling Super Satuday together for me, knowing that I would not have the time or focus to do it. Or those who took the time and effort to bring meals in or who prepared freezer meals so we can have something fixed in minutes. Or those who have come to watch Rylee so I can take Jace to speech therapy or preschool or so our family can still attend church on Sunday. Or all the cute care packages sent to our family. Or for cleaning our house, praying for us, calling to check in, running errands, etc. There have just been so many examples of people thinking and acting outside of themselves. Even when the problem isn't necessarily "theirs" it's "mine" everyday.

I think of times that I've had this attitude of "oh, well, it doesn't really affect me" before and I guess this is just a good lesson. With the season of giving coming up, remember all of those that may need something (and I don't mean us) and then be that person who sees or realizes that need. I cannot tell you the blessing and relief it is when you're on the other end(and this is the first time I've ever really been on this side), to feel, know and realize that others do care and they are willing to bear your burdens, in big or small and simple ways. There is comfort in knowing that you're not alone.

Well, that's probably enough of my motivational rant. I promise I'm not trying to get a gig as a motivational speaker, just sharing random thoughts of the journey. I have updates on Rylee that I'll post a little later.