Thank you

This post is a shout out to anyone who has ever acted on a prompting to do something big or small for me, or anyone.

I'm thankful for people who go out of their way to think about some one else's needs instead of their own.

I am thankful for random phone calls from some one who cares.

I am thankful for all the people who have given me a simple smile.

I am thankful for all the people who have said hello to me, asked me my name, and especially those who remembered it.

I am thankful for people who ask me how I am, and when I say good, they say are you really? And don't give up until they can tell I have given an honest answer, for the people who really care to know how I am doing.

I am thankful for people who bare their testimonies in church.

I am thankful for people who go out of their way to hold a door open for me.

I am thankful for people who give me compliments.

I am thankful for all the people who visited me in the hospital both times the past two years...for the people who didn't really know me, for the people who wanted to know me more, for friends, and for those who are close to me.

I am thankful for random little notes or messages from people.

I am thankful for my bishop and his councilors who always make me feel welcome at church and church activities even just with a simple greeting.

I'm thankful for my home teachers making the effort to see me every month.

I am thankful for people who come and sit with me when they notice I am sitting alone at church.

There have been so many times when all these things and more have come to me just when I need them most, when I'm feeling down, going through something hard, or feeling lonely. I am so thankful for people who act on promptings. I don't believe in coincidence. I was thinking about how many times one of these little things have been just what I needed, and how Heavenly Father is watching out for me and you. When you have a prompting to do something, even if its something you wouldn't normally do or feel comfortable with-do it. You likely have no idea how big of an impact it can have on someone's life. It is better to feel a little silly for a minute, than to miss out on lifting some one who needs it. I want to do better at this, and I hope whoever reads this will too. We can be God's hands here on earth.

Last weekend at stake conference adult session there was a speaker who basically talked about reaching out to others. He told us to think about our family, our brothers and sisters, and think of how much we love them and would do for them. Then he said to look around, these people are your brothers and sisters too. He talked about how he thinks we use the terms brother and sister too loosely in the church, and that we should be willing to do anything for all our brothers and sisters (not just other members either). He also talked about how a lot of people wait for others to be the first to say hi or talk to them, and he asked where we would be if everyone was like that. Some one has to be the first. I often find myself waiting for someone to come to me...and since conference I've been thinking a lot about thinking more about others and reaching out to them. Being shy, I am pretty bad at it sometimes...but I want to do better. Its something I've been working on for a bit. I have a long way to go.