“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” -Arthur Ash
Luke’s first week of junior high was rough. Not for all the reason he had anticipated and planned for. Not for the reasons that I had worried about and prayed for. It was the locker.
The school had been remodeled, and their was a row of new lockers. Luke was one of the lucky ones who got a new locker. We registered, and then grabbed the paper with the combination and instructions of how to open the locker. Luke was excited! It was a full size locker with plenty room for his necessary school supplies, and plenty room for anything else. He read the instructions, memorized the number combination, and then enthusiastically went to open the locker. First try, nothing, second try, nothing. He tried and tried. Complete frustration came over him, and he asked me for help.
The new locker’s lock worked the same way that my locks had worked 30 years earlier. I looked at the combination, applied the instructions, and “POP”, the locker opened. He tried again, and failed again. This time I gave him a step, by step instruction, and he was able to open it. Hope filled his countenance, he was beyond excited. He closed the locker, and decided to unlock it one more time, to guarantee he knew what he was doing. Nothing. This same thing went on for a good 30 minutes, when Luke gave up! “Forget it, I’ll carry my stuff.” And we left.
As I dropped him off at school the next day for his first day of school, I encouraged him to ask for help, and explained that his school year would be much easier if he had a locker.
When I picked him up, I asked about his day, he grumbled about only one thing, his locker. Although he had listened to me and asked several 8th graders for help, he still struggled to open the locker on his own. This same pattern happened all week. Every day I assured him he was not the only 7th grader struggling with the locker, but once he got it down, he would be ready the next year to help other new 7th graders.
Finally it was Friday, and Luke still couldn’t open his locker, as he left, I rolled down the window and shouted, “Don’t Give Up!”
We are now starting the second semester and Luke has never complained about his locker again. I think it is safe to say that he is now ready to help the new 7th graders next year. He never gave up, and his days are lighter now that he can use the locker to carry the load.
What seems like a simple task or principle to one who has already mastered it, may be an overwhelming task to someone new. This is important to remember when there is a new member, whether they are new to the church and trying to understand the culture, language, programs, or doctrine, or if they have just moved to the area and are new to the ward or branch, and trying to understand the new approach to the same things. This applies to new callings that can easily come to one who feels inadequate. What about jumping into the invitations from the prophet and gather Israel? Genealogy work can feel like a new locker to those who haven’t grasped the combination of how to work the Family history information, but to one who is experienced it can be an easy process. Let’s all commit to helping each other as we all stumble through our weaknesses trying to make them strengths.
“Perhaps when we come face to face with our maker, we will not be asked, “How many positions did you hold?” but rather, “How many people did you help?” In reality, you cannot love the Lord until you serve him by serving His people.” -Thomas S. Monson
-Sherri Jorgensen
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