Called to Serve

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are called to serve in many different aspects of our life. And we serve willingly, being called to serve is a blessing.

We are called to serve missions. Some are for two years, some for 18 months, and others for 3 years.

We are called to serve in the Primary. (with the children)

We are called to serve in the Relief Society.

We are called to serve in the Young Women and Young Men organizations.

We are called to serve as Bishops, as Home and Visiting Teachers...

the list goes on...

Just recently I was called to serve in a way I have never been asked to serve before.

I was called to be the President of the Young Women. I am the leader of over a dozen girls ranging in age from 12-18. I remember being a girl age 12-18 and life was hard. Hard in different ways than life is hard for me now. Making the right choices was hard. Life was challenging from what grades I got in school to which boy said "Hi" to me in the halls. And now I get to be a leader of girls facing these same challenges.

I have wanted to put down my thoughts and feelings for some time now, but always felt like the verse in the scriptures when they said this of Mary, "and she kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."

To me, accepting this calling was similar to that. I wanted to keep all of my feeling bottled up inside, for me to have and feel. 

When I was asked to accept this calling, I was in shock. I listened to every word my Bishop said, but I don't think I really took any of it in or even remember much of what he said. I do know that he started to cry when he was telling me that he was inspired that this is where I need to be.

The entire ride home, I was in such a state of disbelief and very overwhelmed that being so young I would be called to such an important calling. "The youth are important," he said to me. I know the youth are important. They are the ones who will be leading and guiding our church, our country, and our world in the future.

I felt blessed to know that Heavenly Father trusts me enough to help these girls make righteous decisions. He trusts me enough to help them hold to the rod. He trusts me enough to guide them in the path that they should go. And I am amazed at his faith in me.

I have been doing this calling for a couple of weeks now, and after much prayer, I know this is where I am supposed to be. I was born to be working with the youth.

It does not matter what capacity I am in. It does not matter how long I will serve there.

What does matter is that I have a testimony, which I do. What does matter is that the girls know I love them, which I do. What does matter is that I take the time to get to know each one of them, which I will. What does matter is that the Lord trusts me, and I trust him. And everything else will just fall in place.