I took this story out of the Church News, October 15, 2011:

“Sister Beck shared an experience she and her husband, Ramon P. Beck, had of stopping by the home of a family where the mother had recently given birth to her third child, and the husband had broken his leg the day before in a work-related accident. As they came to the door of the house they knocked, but no one answered. They could hear the new baby crying loudly and let themselves in. In the kitchen they found two unsupervised toddlers gleefully throwing cereal into the air and onto the floor, making a huge mess.

As Brother Beck swept the cereal up off the floor, Sister Beck followed a weak cry for help coming from the recently injured husband and found him lying on a sofa trying to comfort the screaming infant. The baby just needed to be held. They wondered where the mother was. They searched a little further and found the mother in the living room with her two visiting teachers, who sat on a sofa reading that month’s visiting teaching message out loud.

They were apparently oblivious to the true needs of that mother. Sister Beck noted that visiting teaching is so much more than just reading the lesson to someone so visiting teachers can say they have completed their duty, but it is a system of watch care, being an instrument in the Lord’s hands. The Church Handbook teaches that sisters are to report service they have given and the wellbeing of the sisters they watch over, said Sister Beck.

This is a very funny/sad story. I have some thoughts about it:

1. I have been guilty of trying to teach an inactive sister while her kids were running wild around her. I should have played with the kids a little and helped them clean up before I left.
2. There are so many times we look at a hindsight situation and know exactly what should have been done, and other situations we just fail miserably. Let it go and move forward. Our minds need to get used to acting on inspired situations, so just be ready for next time.
3. What did Sis. Beck do when she saw these diligent sisters? Yell at them? She must have said something, because they gave her permission to share this story. And they must recognize themselves every time she tells the story:)
4. I have had a lesson prepared, but switched it for something applicable to my sister who, I could just tell, needed to hear something else.
5. Sometimes we have the desire to serve more than the desire to act on that service. How many times do we say “Call me if you need ANYTHING” and deep down we hope they don’t call.
6. Sometimes action speaks louder, and more sincerely, than cute little refrigerator magnet clutterers. Getting both: even better.
7. I have said this many times over the years: It’s a whole lot easier cleaning someone else’s [kitchen, bathroom, house] than my own!
8. When you are the recipient of service, and have to actually ask for help—Be Grateful, and repeat your gratitude often. It’s just so easy to serve a grateful person.

Challenge yourself each time you go out to visit teach.

• Have an uplifting spiritual message prepared. But be prepared for major flexibility.
• As you meet with your companion, pray together that you will know the needs of the family.
• As you walk up to the door look around to “feel the air” and make yourself aware of this beloved family.
• As you greet the sister, hold her hand a little longer, ask her how she is, look into her eyes, and wait for the answer.
• “Read” the home to see what needs there may be.
• Make the visit about the sister you are visiting. Ask questions. Really listen to her.
• Do something-small or big-for her. Act on your calling as a Visiting Teacher.
• Maybe spending time reading a length of scripture, conference talks, or special messages with your sister will help her, strengthen her, and touch her heart more than anything else you can do. Giving your sister the opportunity to feel the Spirit may be the greatest gift you can offer.
• In special circumstances, an extra visit of pure service could be just what she needs.
• Allow inspiration to guide your actions, whether leaving a message, serving, listening, providing for needs throughout the month, etc.
• Be trustworthy, consistent, sincere, and loving. A listening ear is much more prized than advice.
• Offer to leave a prayer in her home.

Face it, as important as the lesson is, it’s second to how this sister feels the Lord, and you, feel about her. We all need to feel loved and accepted. And sometimes we actually could use some help, even though we often try to hide it. It’s when we are instruments for the Lord, serving one another, and letting others serve us, that we gain a sisterly closeness with one another.