Yesterday the President and Prophet of our Church celebrated his 100th birthday. President Russell M. Nelson is a man respected the world over not only by members of our church, but the leaders of other faiths, world leaders, professionals in the medical field, and all those who know and revere him.

Just as in the parable of the lost sheep, where Jesus taught that we should reach out to those in need the way a loving shepherd would for the sheep in his flock, President Nelson invited everyone to do the same. The only gift he wanted for his birthday was for people to reach out to “the one” in need.

In a messaged posted on social media 100 days before his September 9th birthday, President Nelson shared:

“One spiritual offering that would brighten my life is for each of us to reach out to ‘the one’ in our lives who may be feeling lost or alone. Over the coming months I invite you to consider prayerfully: who do you know who may be discouraged? Who might you need to reconcile with or ask for forgiveness? Has one name been on your mind lately, though you haven’t quite known why? As you bring these questions to the Lord, He will inspire you to know how you can reach out and lift one who needs help.” By following the Savior’s example, President Nelson continued, we can “spread the love of Jesus Christ throughout the world.”

We all have friends we’ve lost track of over the years. Is there one person who keeps popping into your mind? Sometimes that’s God’s way of telling us someone might need our help. We were then invited to reach out to that one person to share a memory, a joke, or just to say hello. Serving others is one of my favorite things to do, so this challenge was an easy one for me. What I didn’t expect was to be the recipient of so many kind acts of service that came from out of the blue.

One dear friend in particular send the following text: “Leslie, I’ve been worried about you! You were in my dreams last night and I woke up thinking that I need to drive up and see you! . . . I’d also love to go to breakfast or lunch soon? I love that we’ve become friends! You are an amazing woman and I’m blessed you came into my life. I love you!”

Not only did I receive this kind and caring text, but then she stopped by with the most beautiful floral arrangement she had put together from her garden in addition to a lovely gift from one of my favorite stores – “Le Petite Maison” in Draper, Utah.

The same evening I received a text from a cute neighbor who teaches the Primary Activity Day Girls in my church. It simply said, “Check your front porch”. When I opened the door, there was a collection of gifts from each of the girls along with the sweetest note.

I brought them in, opened the card, and had a hard time reading it through tears of love and gratitude for that sweet woman and the girls whom I love!

Last night I received a text from a high school friend, it simply said” “How are you doing?” These examples are just a few of the many who have reached out to me lately. We never know what people are going through. Just to know that someone cares, is thinking about us, and praying for us, can be the best gift we could ever receive.

I know these kind acts of service took time and action to make happen. These sweet friends will never know how much it meant to me to be remembered, and thought of. Life is hard at times, but there are so many good and virtuous people out there seeking out the “one” to lift, serve, love, and support! I am blessed, and have felt so much love the past few months! These people are the “Light Givers” in our lives. And I love them!!! So even though President Nelson’s birthday is over, it’s never too late to reach out to the “one”. May we all seek for opportunities each day to act upon the impressions that come into our minds, and share our LIGHT any way we can! Even if it’s a text that reads, “How are you doing?”

Have a Great Week, Love Ya, Les :)

Serve

Reaching Out To The One