Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Unto the Least of These.


Love is simple, really.  Sometimes it just takes a minute to show just a little extra love.  Like the day not too long ago that after getting my little muffin girl out of her crib, we sat together on the rocking chair for nearly 15 minutes and just rocked.  I gave her a tickle on her arms and legs and face and she sat absolutely motionless.  It was a tender experience for me and I thought how sad it would have been if I had passed over this opportunity and rushed off to the next activity on my to-do list.

Or the day when instead of rushing off to get myself ready, I sat a few extra minutes with my sweetheart on the couch as he studied his scriptures.  He put his arm around me and I snuggled into him.  How tragic if I had missed this small moment of joy.

Or yesterday when my Little Bug was having a hard, tearful day.  He wouldn't talk to me at all about what was bothering him, but just laid on the floor all melancholy.  I prayed as I do every time I have no idea how to reach my little ones' hearts, asking the Father what I should do.  And then an idea came.  "Mommy really needs to blow her nose, it feels all stuffy.  But what should I use to blow my nose?"  No response came from the sad little pile on the floor.  So I continued.  "Maybe...I should use my hairbrush to blow my nose!  Is that a good idea?"  A little grin pulled the corners of his lips upward ever so slightly.  He shook his head just a tiny bit.  "Oh.  Well, then maybe I could use a spoon!  Would that be a good idea?"  This time the smile was real and he shook his head vigorously from his post on the floor.  I continued to suggest silly things until finally I asked him what I should use.  He replied, "Maybe....a paper towel!"  We continued the conversation, me asking him where I could find one and he responding and showing me step by step.  After realizing they were all gone, we had to find more and then the roll wouldn't go on so he showed me how to remove the old tube before trying to put on the new one.  By the time I finally blew my nose, he was full-out laughing and had completely forgotten about whatever it was that was bothering him.

Or lastly, yesterday afternoon when the boredom bug had crept into the household.  Little Bear was playing the iPod and Little Bug was loving Miss Muffin just a little too much.  She was not liking it...what could I do to reach all of their hearts?  I prayed again, then picked up a crinkled-up tin foil ball that was on the floor and asked Little Bug if he wanted to play catch with me.  He lit up and ran to his bean bag to play.  We were laughing and having a grand time playing catch, Muffin was smiling as she watched us, and soon Little Bear came running in to join the fun.  We played for 20 minutes until it was time to get dinner started.

And the scripture that keeps running through my head is Matthew 25:37-40:

 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Happy Challenge:

Is there one of the "least of these" in your life that you could spend a few extra minutes with today?  Nothing arduously planned out or expensive, just some simple love shown in a simple way.
 

5 comments:

  1. Great post, and wonderful challenges. Just show some simple love. Oh, if I could only get that deep down in my spirit. To do just the little things every day to show love ...

    Thank you.

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment. Yes, when I remember back to my childhood, it's the simple love things that I remember most. It's a process for us all, isn't it?

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  2. Jamie, really SWEET! What a wonderful encouragement for us moms NOT to allow the busyness of life to rob us of the opportunities to minister love to those around us...particularly those God has given us right in our family! Great challenge to NOT miss those PRECIOUS times in front of us. Thanks so much for linking this up.

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    1. Thank you Kate. Thank you for coming today. It's so much better to stop and savor the moments with our little ones. I know we will never regret it!

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  3. I loved your post Jamie! I love how the Spirit can give us guidance in all that we do if we will simply ask and I know that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6) I think D&C 64:33 really can be applied to motherhood, "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." You are great!! Love you! Mom

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