Some recent events have helped me consider some rather unconventional methods of helping the sisters we visit teach. When a crisis looms, women of the church are often quick to offer a meal. While I have been the joyful recipient of several dinners and in no way mean to downplay their wonderful help, there are times when I realize that I, myself, am trapped in the dinner mentality. It can be very helpful to take the time to think about the individual needs of the sisters and reach out to them in a more individual effort.
Homebound Sisters – A sister in our branch has become increasingly more confined to her home. While meals and calls to show we care have been appreciated, she made a comment several weeks ago regarding her ability to serve. Because she has been confined to her room, she has often been passed over when it comes to helping. After her comments, we considered various things that she could do. Some suggestions that emerged included organizing a baby shower by making phone calls (she made sure no one brought the same food, and we actually had a good array of munchies, rather than five of one thing) and calling inactive sisters to visit teach them on the phone. Other options include knitting or crocheting baby blankets (especially for service projects) and making dinners for someone else to deliver. All of these are simple ways that sisters in your ward can help without leaving home. With a little more thought as to your sisters’ circumstances, other options can emerge.
New Mothers or Moms of Small Children – Last week, I had something of an emotional fall-apart and started crying while on the phone with the Relief Society President, also my visiting teacher. She was at work, but she promptly made arrangements for some sisters to come and ‘kidnap’ my three oldest, leaving me alone at home with the baby for some much needed down time. What a wonderful blessing! Another sister, knowing we are in somewhat cramped quarters, opened her home to us any time I needed a ‘change in scene’. And several years ago, an older sister offered to come over and watched my three small children while I did my grocery shopping. Sometimes moms can feel both in need of a change and ashamed to call and ask for help. I’ve already decided that once my kids are older, I’m going to ‘adopt’ at least one, if not more, young mom in my ward and come over to babysit. Speaking of babysitting, another great way to help out young, struggling couples is to offer to give them a date night and babysit. All of these are terrific ways to serve of small children.
Older Single Sisters – I’ve noticed in my years in church that older single sisters sometime get a little left out. (Maybe the younger ones, too.) They tend to feel a little out of place and awkward in a family-oriented church. Why not invite these sisters to a girls’ night out? The two of you, or perhaps several sisters, can go out to lunch or dinner, shopping in the mall, or somewhere equally enjoyable. And if you’re a young mother, this gives you a great excuse to leave your husband with the kids for a few hours, all in the name of church work!
Of course, these are not the only out-of-the-box methods of service. But the point is, sometimes we have to get beyond the casserole and green jello and see what our hearts – and the Spirit – are telling us to do.
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