Free to give

wonderful thing for Saturday and Sunday, 18 & 29 Jan: a new respect for agency. We invest a lot in our work on behalf of our young adults especially, as well as the two wards we work with, the missionaries, etc. Sometimes nobody shows up for our lesson or our activity; sometimes the same ones show up, but those few we're really trying to focus on do not. I have found myself feeling frustrated and anxious over this, because I know if they came, this or that aspect of their lives would be greatly improved, enlightened, changed, etc. When it keeps happening, my frustration increases. Reminder to self: people have agency. I am so glad for that gift! I must respect it. I only have control over how I choose to use my agency, and in that I must find my fulfillment. What others do with theirs is between them and God, not between them and me - I "see through a glass darkly," anyway, what do I know? So, I am learning to focus on the individual, on my own service and love to them, on bringing it to the altar and leaving it there. This gives me greater fulfillment, and allows me to turn my attention more fully to those who do come and are willing to accept the gift, by strengthening their relationship with our Father in Heaven. We can rejoice in that together (D&C 50-13-24). For others, now may not be the time to learn the lesson I think they need. I'm good with that. I just have to keep remembering my hairdresser Lisa's mantra: "God's got this." fun thing: out of the apartment at last! We're better!!! It's like being released from some kind of imprisonment.