How will I measure my life?  Often we measure our lives by our success, how much money we have, or how many friends we have. I want to measure my life by the people I have helped along the way.  

  This past weekend I was asked by a young boy scout to help him finish his Eagle Scout paperwork. We had worked through the project and he had only this last thing to be completely done.  This was a pressing thing as he is aging out of the program and has a limited window to reach this goal.  I also had several hours of school work, and a long list of bakery order to fill.  I didn't know how I would help him.  But this is something that will have a life long impact on this young man, and he needed my help.  Sometimes helping others means sacrificing what we want.  I could find a way to help, while fulfilling my other obligations.  I set aside my school work for an hour, and focused on the scout. I called him and his mother to offer suggestions, and coached the new scout master through what was needed to a scout master conference and how to turn everything in to the council.  In the end all I gave up was 1 hour.  After, I was able to focus on my school work and complete it quickly, still leaving time for family.  
When we are willing to give of our time, the Lord sees and multiplies it  I have experienced this often in my life when I think I do not have time to help.  When I act the Lord blessed me to accomplish so much more that I thought I could, and I am lifted by the joy I feel when helping others.  

  I think too often we only see what is right in front of us.  When obstacles arise, or conflict enters our path we tend to panic or to lose focus of the end goal.  We see only the obstacle in our way.  I like this quote from Elder Richard G Scott.

"A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle.  Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective.  Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine.  Otherwise they can easily overtake our vision, absorb all our energy, and deprive us of the joy and beauty the Lord intends us to receive here on earth." 

  While being asked to serve is not a problem or a trial, often we see anything not in our plan as an obstacle to face.   When we begin to look at people as just other things to take care of, we lose the perspective of what we were put on this earth to do.  Man kind is God's greatest work, and serving his children is one of the callings he asks of us.  


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