"Have I Done Any Good In the World Today"

In the church hymn book there is a song that says, "Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? Have I cheered up the sad, and made someone feel glad? If not I have failed indeed." " Then wake up and do something more, than dream of your mansion above. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure. A blessing of duty and love." Last night, I was at the store getting some medicine and I met a woman who was doing her grocery shopping with 3 young children in tow. I know how difficult it is to go shopping with my two children, but I can't imagine doing it with another one. I quickly mad a judgement about how she needed to keep track of her children and put them in line. Little did I know that Heavenly Father had a lesson to teach me. Later I found myself in line behind her. She was bagging her own groceries while her children ran around, I asked her if there was anything that I could do to help her, she asked if I could just watch her children for her while she bagged her groceries. I learned that her children were 7, 4 and maybe 1 year. I simply engaged her kids and asked them questions about school and their teachers. The mother finished bagging her groceries and thanked me for helping her. On my way to my car, I saw the same woman struggling with an upset baby and trying to get her groceries into her trunk. I asked her if I could help her, telling her that it would only take a minute, and that it wasn't a big deal. She told me that I was one of the nicest people that she had met, and thanked me profusely. I think that perhaps I should have thanked that woman. I was so grateful to be able to serve her. I don't know her circumstances, but I could easily be her, if there was any change in my circumstances. I would be the woman in the grocery store, by myself with my kids, looking overwhelmed and exhausted. I am so thankful for this lesson that I was able to learn. I know that I can always do better, especially in not passing judgement against my brother or sister, but this lesson also taught me about the simplicity of service and the blessings that I have in my life. I am so grateful for a good husband who is willing to stay home with our children so that I can have that time by myself to go to the store. I am also grateful that he supports me and helps me make decisions for our lives. Today I would give you the challenge to think about the first line of the church hymn, "Have I Done Any Good In the World Today?" Analyze yourself and see where you're at. I know for myself that I could use some improvement.