Reflections: Have I Done Any Good

"Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?"

As a little girl I remember my mom singing or or humming this beloved hymn as she cleaned the house. It was one of her favorite hymns. All the stories I heard about my mom was that she was the one who loved to serve her family, friends and neighbors. I loved listening to her as she sang or hummed this beautiful hymn and I promised myself that when I grew up I wanted to serve like she had.

"There are chances for work all around just now,

Opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”

But go and do something today.

’Tis noble of man to work and to give;

Love’s labor has merit alone.

Only he who does something helps others to live.

To God each good work will be known."

Since my first infusion I have been having issues with shortness of breath and some other issues. I hoped to hold out until I saw my chemo doc for my next infusion but didn't quite make it. I called Huntsman early Tuesday morning to visit with my Chemo docs nurse who informed me that I needed to go to the local ER to get evaluated NOW! So, I left work and got a ride to our local ER where the ER doc shared with me after labs, cat scans, and EKG, "you're really sick." He wanted to admit me for observation but I assured him I would be OK, so he reluctantly released me with strict "come back orders and call Huntsman while in the car."

As I was leaving the ER, I noticed a woman sitting on the bench where I was headed to sit as I waited for my husband to pick me up and as I got closer I observed her crying. My heart ached for her and I had compassion fill my soul as I longed to comfort her. I approached her and asked her, "are you OK?" Then I answered myself smiling and said, "no, we wouldn't be here if we were OK" She looked at me with tear filled eyes and simply said, "it has been a really really really bad day." Her ride then pulled up and as I helped her up I opened her car door and as she was getting in I made a comment, "Oh, I just have cancer but it is nothing to what you are facing." Then I wished her the best as I was closing her door and she was thanking me. I then asked Heavenly Father to watch over her as I watched her and her ride drive away. My husband then came up to me to help me to our pickup to take me home.

As I reflected on our brief interaction I found myself smiling, at my cancer no big deal attitude because I knew my Heavenly Father was smiling upon me for showing her compassion and kindness because I had done some good in the world that day.

"Then wake up and do something more

Than dream of your mansion above.

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,

A blessing of duty and love."

It is truly a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, a blessing of duty and love.

As King Benjamin said:

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."