First Observe, Then Serve: The Woman With the Alabaster Box

Welcome back to another post in my "First Observe, Then Serve" series.  To participate in this online discussion, please see my first post of this series with all the information on what to expect over the next four weeks!  Feel free to join our Facebook group, as well, where people from all walks of life are joining the conversation.

The story for this week comes from Luke chapter 7.  Towards the end of His earthly life, the Savior was invited to eat dinner at one of the Pharisee's homes.  He went, and while they were eating, a woman came and started anointing Christ.  

The host, Simon, was appalled.  He thought to himself that if Jesus really was who He claimed to be, He would NEVER allow a sinner to serve Him.  Christ perceives what His host is thinking and tells a story about a man who forgives two debtors.  One was forgiven a 500 pence debt, the other a 50 pence debt.  The Savior then asks, "Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?"  To which Simon replies, "I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most."

The Savior tells Simon that he is correct.  He points out that, as host, there were some very important duties that Simon had neglected.  This woman, a sinner, filled that role.  He then tells the woman that her sins are forgiven and that she may go in peace.

I love this story.  It is very short and to the point, but is also profoundly deep when looked at more closely.  The Savior knew that this woman would be reviled because of her sins.  The Pharisees are oh so good at finding fault.  Yet the Savior allowed her to serve Him.  And then, later one, He stood up for her and showed that He understood her motives.  

We are all sinners, yet we all should be striving to serve.  How much easier is it to serve when we know people are not questioning our motives?  What if we all decided to think the best of each other instead of trying to place our own motives at the feet of those who serve?  It is a hard thing to do.  We all have opinions, so we all think our way is the best way most of the time.  For myself, this story is a lesson that I need to allow others their agency and serve how they see fit.  When it's my time to serve in the same capacity, I will hope they will afford me the same courtesies.

The other important part I see here is that Christ forgives the woman.  He knew her sins, but He forgave.  Why?  Because of love.  Always love.  Isn't that beautiful?  The Savior loves us SO MUCH that He is willing to forgive us of anything.  We just have to believe in Him and act accordingly.

I ran across a quote earlier today that really struck me.  C.S. Lewis once said, "We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it."  The Savior is our ultimate example in this.  Let us allow others to serve us, and forgive them their weaknesses as they do so.  We ALL have them, right?!  I know I do.  I feel that forgiveness is such an amazing act of service--not only for the one being forgiven, but for ourselves, also.  And it's something we can do to serve every single day!

That is all I have for you today, friends!  So, what do you see in this story about the need to first observe, then serve?  I can't wait to hear your thoughts!  Feel free to email me, comment below, or join our Facebook group.  Do what you are comfortable with!  I'll be back next Tuesday with the next story in this series.  Until then, HUGS and prayers sent your way! :)

P.S.: Please make sure that you keep all comments uplifting and kind.  Assume the best of each other and read all comments in a positive manner.  I truly believe that anyone commenting is only seeking to be understood and heard, not offend. :)

First Observe, Then Serve: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

Welcome back to another post in my "First Observe, Then Serve" series.  To participate in this online discussion, please see my first post of this series with all the information on what to expect over the next four weeks!  Feel free to join our Facebook group, as well, where people from all walks of life are joining the conversation.

This week will be talking about Mary and Martha, with regards to the death of their brother, Lazarus. This story is found in John chapter 11.

Jesus knew this family well.  Mary, Martha, and Lazarus knew Him to be the Savior, and Mary and Martha had faith that He could perform miracles.  This is why, when their brother became ill, they sent for Christ to come and save Lazarus.  

Instead of leaving to go heal Lazarus right away, Jesus stays where He is for a few more days.  After that time, He tells his disciples that He will go to Judea to see His friends.  His disciples try to dissuade the Lord, because there are many people in that part of the land who want to kill Christ.  Jesus's answer is that He must go and wake Lazarus.  They think He means that Lazarus is sleeping, but Christ means that Lazarus is dead and He will resurrect his friend.

When they get closer to the home of Mary and Martha, Jesus learns that Lazarus has been buried for four days.  Many people were going in and out of the house to comfort the sisters, so Christ stays further away from the house.  When they hear that Christ has come, Martha runs to Him and, in her grief, states, "Lord, is thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."

This statement was not a condemnation of the Lord's actions, though.  As soon as she states that she knew Jesus would have healed Lazarus, Martha reveals even more faith in her Savior and says, "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."  

Christ tells her that her brother will rise again, and she says that she knows she will see Lazarus after the resurrection, not realizing that the Savior can literally bring Lazarus back from the dead immediately.  Then comes one of my favorite scriptures from the Savior's lips as He tells Martha, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."  He then asks her,  "Believest thou this?"

Martha tells Him that she believes, then takes her sister aside from the other mourners to tell her that Jesus has come.  They go together again to the place where He is waiting for them, followed by those who had come to comfort the sisters.  Mary expresses the same faith as her sister, stating that Lazarus would still be alive if the Lord had come earlier.

The Savior asks to be taken to the place where Lazarus is buried.  When He gets there, he weeps.  He tells them to roll away the stone.  He prays, and then commands Lazarus to come forward, and Lazarus does.

The first thing I notice about this story is the fact that, even though Christ heard about a need, He waited.  We know that Christ is all knowing.  He knew that this would be an opportunity to strengthen the faith of Mary and Martha and help others realize His true nature.  Therefore, He waited before He hearkened to a request for help.

How does this apply to us?  I believe that if we are in tune with the Spirit, there will be times when a call for service will be answered by the Spirit telling us to wait.  I have experienced this in my personal life.  There have been times when I knew that I needed to do something for myself and felt the need to wait.  There have been times when I felt the urgency of a situation for someone else, but I felt the need to wait.  In all these instances, when led by the Spirit, the timing worked out more perfectly than what I originally thought it should be.  God is amazing like that.

Another way that Christ observed in this story was to not come directly into the house when He arrived.  I think His disciples might have thought this was because there were those who wanted Him dead, but I think it was for a different reason.  I think He knew that His presence would garner a very large amount of attention on Himself, and this situation was not only about Him.  It was also about two sisters who were grieving a very serious loss.  They no longer had a protector and provider.  This situation was almost dangerous, in fact.  His focus was on helping those in need, not on creating a lot of attention for Himself.  And so, He stayed away from the house.

There will be times when there are very serious needs around us, that are also very public knowledge.   In those times, our true character will be tested.  Are we serving to be seen?  Or are we serving out of love for our brothers, sisters, and God?  Granted, there are times that service is unavoidably public, but I feel that the majority of our service can and should be done in a way that creates trust.  This can only happen when done in confidentiality, sometimes.

Next, the Savior observed and served as He continually explained Himself throughout this story.  When someone did not understand exactly what He was talking about, He clarified.  This is the pattern for good and open communication--something desperately needed in our society today.  Martha stated her need, Christ gives her hope.  She misunderstands, Christ clarifies.  He is very in tune with what she is saying and what she is taking away from the conversation.

This kind of productive communication takes TIME and the guidance of the Spirit.  It takes a willingness to understand where another person is coming from.  It is genuinely thoughtful and supportive.  This is how I wish our communications with each other would be conducted.  There would be a lot less anger and more forgiveness floating around out there if so.

Another simple act of service that Christ performed was to weep.  He literally mourned with this family.  We are commanded to do the same.  It is not weakness to cry with someone who is in great pain and anguish.  It is Godly.  It can help those suffering see that we are truly feeling what they feel and help us connect more one on one.

Sitting and crying with someone going through a bitter disappointment can, in and of itself, start to bind up wounds that are exposed and raw.  I say this with personal experience.  There have been a few times when I had someone willing to sit and just cry with me as I talked through things.  Usually, this is my husband.  Yes, he cries with me.  Please don't let him know that's all over the internet, though. ;)  But because he is willing to do this, our marriage is stronger.  Others who have cried with me are dear friends that I could not trade for anything in this world.  These relationships are the ones that last through moves, years, and other happenings.  All because someone was willing to cry with me.

Lastly, the supreme act of service that Jesus was intending--raising Lazarus from the grave.  In so doing, He showed that He was there to give hope--not just to this family, but hope to everyone in a resurrection!  Really, this act of service is even for US, though it took place thousands of years ago.  The knowledge that Christ has the power to literally raise the dead can give us hope that a resurrection will happen.  It really will!  Each of us will be resurrected because of Christ's Atonement and His power to do so!  What an amazing gift.

We may not ever be able to do something as extraordinary as this, but I know that, with the help of the Spirit and God, we can do hard and seemingly impossible things.  So, my invitation to you this week is to do something that is difficult for you, with regards to service.  It might be taking time to make a treat and giving it to a neighbor.  It could be making that phone call to the person you would really like to never speak to again.  Perhaps it's just going out of your way to help your spouse with housework or other projects you feel are their responsibility.  Whatever it may be, I know that you can do it, and so does the Savior!  We are cheering you on!

So, what do you see in this story about the need to first observe, then serve?  I can't wait to hear your thoughts!  Feel free to email me, comment below, or join our Facebook group.  Do what you are comfortable with!  I'll be back next Tuesday with the next story in this series.  Until then, HUGS and prayers sent your way! :)

P.S.: Please make sure that you keep all comments uplifting and kind.  Assume the best of each other and read all comments in a positive manner.  I truly believe that anyone commenting is only seeking to be understood and heard, not offend. :)

First Observe, Then Serve: Woman With an Issue of Blood

Welcome back to another post in my "First Observe, Then Serve" series.  To participate in this online discussion, please see my first post of this series with all the information on what to expect over the next four weeks!  Feel free to join our Facebook group, as well, where people from all walks of life are joining the conversation.

I feel the need to preface this week's post with a semi-warning.  This topic is incredibly sensitive for me and this story completely pertinent to my life.  While I have never gone for years bleeding, I have had the experience of bleeding for months on end (and heavily, not like spotting), and so this story is close to my heart.  Because of this, I may or may not make sense for the rest of the post, due to crying and being overly emotional.  I apologize in advance.

This story is actually what gave me the idea for this blog series.  It can be found in Mark chapter 5.  
Before we start the story, I want to give a bit of background about this woman and her real predicament.  I know personally how weak you become when you bleed for an extended amount of time.  I cannot imagine having this go on for 10 years.  The longest I have had to deal with this was three months, and it was horrible.  There are some days that are ok, but there are a lot of days where you are so weak, you literally cannot take care of yourself.  You feel worthless and useless.  You need help, and you need it for an extended amount of time.  It's hard to find people willing to do that.

On top of this issue, this woman lived at a time where the Jews were living the Law of Moses.  Not only was this woman physically confined to her home, but she was also considered unclean.  Anyone who was willing to help her would also be considered unclean, and would have to go through cleansing rituals before they would be allowed to join daily life again.  Because of these issues, I'm sure this woman was very lonely.  I would hope that she had a large safety net of people who were willing to help her out, but I fear that was might not have been the case.  So now, to the story...

Jesus was on His way to heal the daughter of a man who was a ruler in the local synagogue.  It was literally a matter of life and death.  A woman who had been bleeding for 10 years heard that the Savior was coming and knew that if she could just touch His clothing, she would be healed.  She desperately needed to be healed.  She didn't want to bother Him, and knew that He was busy.

Jesus was walking through the crowd, trying to get to the girl who is in need of His help.  He felt someone touch Him and asked who it was.  His apostles were taken aback because it could have been anyone.  They probably were trying to encourage the Lord to get to His destination quickly, but Christ knew that there was someone there who needed His help.

He saw the woman, and she became frightened.  There are a few reasons she was probably afraid.  Firstly, she was not supposed to be out among other people because of her health problems and uncleanness.  Secondly, the fact that she touched the Savior meant that He would be considered unclean according to the Law of Moses and might not be able to go and help the other girl who needed Him.  This might possibly make Him angry.  

But, of course, Jesus was not angry.  He says to this woman, who had been suffering for so long, "...go in peace, and be whole..."  I can only imagine the joy that this woman felt hearing those words.  Knowing that her faith was placed in the right person who would help her at the right time--there is no better feeling.

We live in a world where the Savior is not able to be here to help us physically each day.  He relies on us.  So what can we learn from this story?  The first thing I see is that we should always act by the Spirit.  If we are going about our lives doing things and feel that we really need to call someone or go visit someone, DO IT.  Don't wait.  Do it immediately.

Next, remember that all people are important to the Lord.  Even though Jesus was on His was to serve a leader of the synagogue, He stopped to help a woman that was considered unclean and unworthy to be among the crowd.  There are no unimportant people in this world.  Nobody deserves more or less service based on any type of criteria.

Thirdly, we have to be so in tune with the Spirit to see the little acts of reaching out sometimes.  What could the touching of someone's clothing in a crowd amount to in your daily life?  For me it has been a scowl and unfriendly word, a sad smile accompanied by an "I'm ok!", and even just a feeling that something wasn't quite right.  It is so hard to get rid of the noise of the world and look past what we think others SHOULD do to ask for help so that we can see what they DO say or do instead.  Like I've said before, we cannot judge the people we serve.  This includes not judging the way they ask for help.
That is all I have for you today, friends.  I hope you share your impressions about this story with me!  What do you see in this story about the need to observe, then serve?  I can't wait to hear your thoughts!  Feel free to email me, comment below, or join our Facebook group.  Do what you are comfortable with!  I'll be back next Tuesday with the next story in this series.  Until then, HUGS and prayers sent your way! :)

P.S.: Please make sure that you keep all comments uplifting and kind.  Assume the best of each other and read all comments in a positive manner.  I truly believe that anyone commenting is only seeking to be understood and heard, not offend. :)

First Observe, Then Serve: The Woman Taken in Adultery

Welcome back to another post in my "First Observe, Then Serve" series.  To participate in this online discussion, please see my first post of this series with all the information on what to expect over the next four weeks!  Feel free to join our Facebook group, as well, where people from all walks of life are joining the conversation.

This week's story is the woman taken in adultery, found in John chapter 8.  One thing that I have found when I read this story is that I get more out of it if I think about it from the woman's perspective.  We are all this woman.  We all sin.  We all need the Savior.  There will be times when others point out our failings and try to make an example of us.  Or there might also be times when people around us try to get us to degrade others because of their sins.  The Savior's example from this story teaches us that these are times for courage and service.  First, let me give my take on the story, then I'll share more about what I have learned.

One day, Jesus was sitting in the temple teaching a group of people who had come to learn from Him.  In the middle of His teaching, His enemies (the scribes and Pharisees) interrupt Him by presenting a woman that had been taken in adultery.  They demand that the Savior explain His take on what should happen to this woman.  The Law of Moses stated she should be stoned.  This is yet another trap that they lay at Christ's feet to try and condemn Him.

The Savior does not answer these men.  Instead, He starts to write in the sand as though He did not hear the question.  The scribes and Pharisees continue to demand an answer from Him.  His answer is profound, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

We do not know what Christ was writing on the ground, but He continued this task.  Some people have told me they think that He was writing a list of sins on the ground, specific to the group of men doing the accusing.  This is possible.  Whatever it was He wrote, as well as His statement, obviously pricked these men to their hearts.  I find it very interesting that they leave from oldest to youngest, as well.

By the time the Savior looks us and asks the woman where her accusers are, they have all gone.  He specifically asks her, "...hath no man condemned thee?"  She responds that none of the men have condemned her.  Christ then gives her an invitation by saying, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."  

Can you imagine the woman's relief?  Without Christ's intervention, she would have died!  Each time I read this story, my eyes fill with tears and my heart pounds, knowing that this same invitation is extended to me on a daily basis.  We are all in serious danger of spiritual death without the Atonement of the Savior.  

Something else that strikes me from this story is the fact that the Savior was in the middle of teaching others.  He could have told these men that He would deal with this situation later, but He knew that a life was at stake.  He knows that each day, our spiritual lives are at stake!  

Instead of just ignoring and continuing on, the Savior met an immediate need first.  This is important when we are observing and serving.  There are times when we meet people who need A LOT of help.  Shoot, I'm that person sometimes!  When this happens, it is exceedingly important to make sure that we meet the most immediate needs first.  That might mean that we get them some food or water.  It might mean that we pray with them.

Going along with this same issue, there are times when it seems like everyone needs a piece of us.  It's those times that God expects us to prioritize.  We cannot help every single person we know with every single problem they have.  BUT, if we are listening to the Spirit, God will let us know what is most important and how to meet that need.  It also helps to ask the person what need is most immediate.  Making sure that needs in our homes and families are met first and foremost will make it possible for us to then go and be more effective in our service to others.

Another important thing that I see in this story is that when someone is being accused and reviled publicly, that's an opportunity for service.  We can be an advocate for others.  We can strive to see the good in everyone and make sure that people's names are safe on our lips.  Sometimes, this act of service is absolutely priceless.  I am not the best at doing this, but this is one thing that pricked my heart as I read.  I will be working harder at this.

The next thing I thought of with regards to this story is how Christ was allowing His time to be used in service of this woman.  Service, true service, can take time.  LOTS of time.  Like sitting and consoling someone for three or more hours time.  Are you willing to do that?  Sometimes we equate giving things as the ultimate act of service.  I reject that notion.  I think it is far better to give our time to someone.  This helps them see how important they are as an individual.  Can you image how different our world would be if we all took the time to truly get to know each other?  Can you imagine how much easier life would be if there was at least one person you knew would always make time for you?  Yes, God and the Savior do have time for us, I know.  But we need human interaction.  Making time for others is crucial to their well being, as well as ours, because hopefully then the favor will be reciprocated.

The last thought I have about this story is this, and it's the same point as something I mentioned last week--do not judge those you serve.  If you want to read my thoughts on that, go HERE (it's number four on my list further down).  After this story is completed, Jesus returned to talk to the Pharisees about this issue.  He said, "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true..."  Christ will always judge us based on eternal truths, not by how others see us.  What a blessing, too.  I would hate for my enemies to sway my Savior's opinion of me! 

I did have one other thing I wanted to add, as well.  When a person is known to judge others through gossip or other unkind interactions, it makes trusting them difficult.  Even if they are not bad mouthing you, you still don't know if they will say something about you to someone else and make that person believe you are the worst human alive.  People lose friends this way each and every day.  Don't judge other people based on another's bad opinion--you will be accountable for it!

Because trust is so essential to service, make sure that your interactions with ALL people are kind and show tolerance.  This will make others around you more apt to ask you for help and trust you with their personal issues.   This comes from my personal experience and feelings.  I do not trust easily, and so when I am around people who constantly complain about others, it makes me very wary about asking them for help.  Service is such personal thing, and people want to feel safe.  Be the person who is safe by keeping their feelings close to your heart, not easily spilled out of your mouth. ;)

Now it's your turn!  What do you see in this story about the need to observe, then serve?  I can't wait to hear your thoughts!  Feel free to email me, comment below, or join our Facebook group.  Do what you are comfortable with!  I'll be back next Tuesday with the story of the woman who had an issue of blood.  Until then, HUGS and prayers sent your way! :)

P.S.: Please make sure that you keep all comments uplifting and kind.  Assume the best of each other and read all comments in a positive manner.  I truly believe that anyone commenting is only seeking to be understood and heard, not offend. :)

First Observe, Then Serve: The Woman at the Well

I am currently sharing a series of posts on Christ's example of observing needs and then meeting them.  To participate in this online discussion, please see my first post of this series with all the information on what to expect over the next four weeks!  Feel free to join our Facebook group, as well, where people from all walks of life are joining the conversation.

Firstly, I must warn you all that today's post is long.  I wasn't intending it to be, but as I pondered and wrote, more things came to my mind that I felt I needed to share.

Today's example of Christ's example of observing and then serving occurred as He was going about His daily life.  It can be found in John chapter 4 in the New Testament.  Here is my retelling...

Christ was travelling, as He often did, and stopped to rest at a well.  A woman approached the well and we know that He knew her from what He says later on.

Instead of asking her what He could do to help, He requested service from her.  The woman thought this very strange, because Jews and Samaritans hated each other.  She questions His motives. He responds that, if she knew who she was speaking to, she would have instead asked Him for water.  This is the desire of her heart.  She asks how He could possibly give her water.  He has nothing to draw water from the well, and she queries whether Christ is greater than Jacob.

Instead of being offended, Christ teaches her an eternal principle--that He is the living water that brings everlasting life.  This is the desire of her heart, and she requests water from Him.  Christ does not immediately give her this gift, though.  He requests that she call her husband, knowing she is living in sin.  She cannot, and He gives her details about her life to show that He is omnipotent.

The woman then calls Jesus a prophet.  Seeing that she is starting to open her eyes to the possibility that He is the Savior, and knowing she is troubled with regards to her worship of God, He expounds more doctrine unto her, reassuring her that she is able to worship anywhere.  This comforts her heart even more.  She reveals that she believes in a Messiah, and He adds to her knowledge by stating that He is the Messiah.

There are so many things that I have learned from this story.  Before I share them, I want to note that this parable is a type of our daily lives.  We will not be able to be successful in under five minutes, like the Savior was, because we are not perfect or omnipotent.  By looking at each request or question and answer portion of the story as equal to a single interaction with a person, we can see that, for us, becoming perfect at observing and serving can sometimes take time as we build relationships.

The first thing that I learned from this story is that each person is important, and if you help them realize that they are important to you, you will be able to serve them more completely.  This is not something that can just be said, and all is well.  Making people feel important means asking about them and being good communicators.  It is putting the other person before yourself and genuinely caring what they have to offer and share.  Getting someone a drink of water was no big deal to this woman, it was who was asking that made the event important.  Sometimes requesting service from someone is the way that they need you to show that you recognize that they are needed.

Secondly, we must understand a person's heart and desires before we can meet their needs.  Each person has trials, regrets, goals, sorrows, and strengths.  By getting to know a person, we will be able to not only strengthen bonds of friendship, but garner trust.  This is something that takes time.  It also takes consistency.  Christ did not get up and ignore the woman during any part of their conversation.  True and lasting friendships require continual communication with each other.  This means different things to different people, but we should be in direct communication with those we claim to love and want to serve as much as possible, as led by the Spirit.

The third thing I have learned from this story is that people are not sustained on one act of service alone.  From my count, Christ performed five micro-services during the course of His discussion with this woman.  Five acts of service in probably less than five minutes!  If anything, I feel this shows that one act of service is not enough to change a life or a relationship.  It may take more than 5 acts, even, but if we act in patience and love, as the Savior did in this story, we can change lives.

Number four is broad, but I'll get more specific in my comments--it is simply "do not judge those you serve."  Christ saw into this woman's heart.  She was sinning grievously, and yet the Savior never once told her to repent.  He showed her who He was, and knew that, because her heart was in the right place, she would repent.  Not only does this show that even the Savior sometimes doesn't explicitly call someone to repentance, it shows that He respected this woman's agency.  Allowing others to make choices, but to still love and serve them is a hallmark of a Christ-centered life.

The fifth thing I learned is that we never know when someone is ready to hear truth, or how that will change them.  The Savior could have withheld His identity because the woman was living unworthily.  He did not.  We never know what changes can begin in a person's life when we simply share a testimony of a loving Savior or any other truth.  These acts are services rarely known as such.

Finally, I love how the Savior ends His conversation with this woman with words of comfort and hope.  Service should always be something that uplifts others.  Participating in gossip (I'm guilty and working on it!) does not constitute serving someone.  Allowing others to share feelings with you is absolutely fine, but leave them better than you found them.  Don't malign others in hopes of finding common ground.  Relationships built on mutual hatred will never have a strong foundation.  Make sure that your actions allow you to feel good about your service.

So, there you have it!  I told you it was long, didn't I?  I hope that you were able to gain some sort of insight from my ramblings today, friends!  Now it's your turn--what aspects of this story inspire you to do better at observing and then serving?  I can't wait to hear them in the comments below!  If you'd rather, there's a Facebook group designed to continue the discussion for those more comfortable there.  Come join us!  I'll be back on Friday with my thoughts on the woman taken in adultery found in John chapter 8.  Until then, sending hugs and prayers your way! :)

P.S.: Please make sure that you keep all comments uplifting and kind.  Assume the best of each other and read all comments in a positive manner.  I truly believe that anyone commenting is only seeking to be understood and heard, not offend. :)

First Observe, Then Serve: An Introduction + The Savior's First Miracle

Throughout the years, I have been amazed at the service Christ rendered to women in the New Testament.  It always amazes me to see how much love our Savior has for each of us, and it is through the hands of others here on earth that I have seen that love.  His example of service to these women has inspired me again and again as I am prompted to serve others around me.  

Many are familiar with the quote, "First observe, then serve", which was stated in the October 2012 General Conference by Sis. Linda K. Burton.  As I've pondered this simple, yet powerful statement, I have found that Christ's example is the most perfect way to put this into practice.  Even more wonderful, I have found His observations and service towards women in the New Testament as a balm of Gilead.  It has strengthened my testimony of our Heavenly Father's love for all of His daughters.  

I have compiled a few of the many stories from the New Testament where is observation and then service met individual needs, and it has made it more clear to me that each person needs to be served according to those needs.  There are many ways that people let us know what they need, and I believe that studying the Savior's life will help us to be more in tune with the Spirit so that we can be more open to observing them. 

Over the next four weeks, I will be relating stories from Christ's ministry and what I have learned about observing and then serving from the Master.  Each Friday and Tuesday at noon, a new story and my comments will be posted.  I invite everyone to join in and share their feelings about the stories, as well.  My goal is to create a safe place where we can all share our feelings on this important topic and learn from each other.  

Today's story is when Christ turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana--the first miracle performed by the Savior here on earth.  This story is found in John chapter 2.

I find it fascinating that the first miracle Jesus performed was at the request of a woman--His mother, Mary.  Mary was very forthright with the Savior.  She stated the problem, "They have no wine", to which Jesus responded by asking her what He should do.  Instead of telling Him what to do, she responds with faith, knowing that He is the Savior, and tells the servants to follow Jesus's instructions.  This is the observation.

The service comes straight afterwards--the Savior does not wait.  He instructs that nearby water pots are to be filled with water.  After this occurs, he tells the servants to draw from them, and they are amazed that they draw out wine instead of water.

So, what are the most important things to note about observation and service from this story?  In my opinion, they are that when someone asks for help, we defer to them to let us know what we can do.  We ask specifically, "What can I do to help you?"  The second thing I learn from this story is to serve immediately.  Sometimes we set ourselves up to fail because we stop to think too long.  By acting straight away, we become a person that is reliable and trusted.  The Spirit will send us more tasks to complete, and others will feel more comfortable asking us outright for what they need.

What aspects of this story do you see that can help you better observe, then serve?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!  Feel free to join our Facebook group, as well, where people from all walks of life are joining the conversation.  I will be back soon with my next post in this series. The story I will be using then is the woman at the well.  I hope to see you then!

P.S.: Please make sure that you keep all comments uplifting and kind.  Assume the best of each other and read all comments in a positive manner.  I truly believe that anyone commenting is only seeking to be understood and heard, not offend. :)