I’m a late bloomer. It wasn’t until I was in the first years of my visiting teaching that I realized just how much service is truly a gift for those who feel alone.

Sis. Joy F. Evans (counselor in the RS presidency) spoke in April 1989 about this topic. She explains how there are people all around us who are crying out:

“I needed you—I couldn’t find you—I don’t need you anymore.”  

Either we aren’t seeing them, listening for them, our paying attention. Let’s be honest, sometimes we spend too much time seeing, listening to, and paying attention to ourselves and our own needs. I’m guilty of that and it hits home when I realize I missed another opportunity to help someone.

Continuing, she expresses this encouraging thought: “What we do or say is not as important as that we do or say something—“I care about you,” or “Let me help.” 

Sometimes, we just don’t know what to do for someone. Or what to say. Or how to approach them.

Quoting from the Reader’s Digest, she shares a story about someone offering service during a family’s crisis by shining their shoes. It seemed off the wall, yet it was something. It was thoughtful, and well-meaning, and ended up being more than appreciated.

As we wait out this pandemic, we have all felt the fear and frustration of being alone, being cooped up, and not being able to go about our usual business. We struggle finding ways to keep our children busy and our household going in limited conditions. And how high on the list is our ministering assignment? Are we checking up on our sisters?

No, I’m not shaming anyone. I am about to offer some suggestions that may lift us and others out of the doldrums.

Ideas for ministering to your sisters during this pandemic, and ever more

• Who doesn’t love cat videos? Send someone something to make them laugh.
• Share your thoughts and personal study from Come Follow Me.
• Collect prophetic quotes and share one a day.
• Send a link to watch the recent Youth Music Festival or any church video. 
• Have your family create a Book of Mormon story video to share.
• Zoom so you can see and chat with one another.
• If you have hobbies in common, share your latest project with one another through technology.
• Or maybe teach one another about a hobby you each enjoy.

Technology allows us many ways to connect from inside our homes, even through service. And, as long as we have masks on, like we’ve been asked to do, there may even be opportunities for interaction.

And the best time to start is now, and not mourn the loss of time or late start.

Whatever ways you find to giving service, and reach out, don’t let those close to you cry out, “Is anyone there?” You can be the one to be there with some small and simple, or large and loud, showings of love.