Bucket list 48 – learning through stories

August 17, 2014

Stories, fables, and parables have been used forever because they impact the mind in ways that stimulate thinking beyond our normal perspectives and understanding. I believe that the parables used by Jesus Christ to help convey the meaning of eternal concepts to mere mortals give us much to consider and incorporate in our daily lives. I will never be able to craft the quality or spiritual depths imparted by the Savior, but perhaps, I can use some of my experiences to assist some in current times to better understand the roles of love, charity, caring, and honor in my life and in those I love.

The gift of love

My name is Billie Samantha Jones. My mother loves me and tells me so often. I am 21 year old and have never been on a date. My mother says I am beautiful and that God loves me. My father doesn’t understand me but I think he loves me too. He just has a hard time accepting me because I am not as beautiful as my sisters. My mother says my beauty is on the inside and that my spirit and understanding of God and eternal things is marvelous.

I regularly participate in college, religious, and other social activities because that is what I am supposed to do but the glancing looks, stares, and distancing people use to move around me makes me feel unwanted and unworthy of being in their presence. Recently I attended a religious class on a week day evening. The instructor was very enlightening. He called on and bantered with many of the students, sharing stories about common experiences they had, sharing warm bonds and friendships. The question to be pondered until the next class dealt with how we can find purpose and understanding regarding the role our lives should take and how we each might be able to pray, ponder, listen, and understand the answers to our prayers.

A classroom observer asked for a moment and made a comment. He stood and shared a testimony in which he declared that the very best course for understanding answers to prayer is to pray for those around us, to pray for our friends, family, and even our enemies. He said if we do this we will be prompted by the Holy Ghost as to ways in which we can serve others. After we serve others we will find great joy and the process will be repeated throughout our lives. Then he repeated his initial comment that we were a marvelous and beautiful group of students and that the light of Christ burned brightly in our eyes. His final comment was a plea for each person in the room to look around and find the “one”; meaning the lost lamb, or the person who might be in need of a friend, a smile, or just a reassuring nod.

I liked what the instructor had to say and slowly worked my way up to where he was talking to some of the really beautiful and handsome people. I wanted to thank him and shake his hand but he rushed passed me to talk to some more beautiful people in back of the classroom. I guess he just didn’t see me so I walked slowly out. It was then that I noticed another classroom observer and he was standing right next to her. She also put her hand out to shake his but he must not have seen her either. Then, I learned the secret tool. First she touched his arm at the elbow and when that got no response she practically turned him around physically and stuck her hand in his and exclaimed, “. . . my, what a wonderful lesson”. I could never do this because I am so shy, but at least now I know it can be done.

You won’t believe what happened when we were out in the hall. An adult monitor came over to me and said, “. . . here is a gift from one who wishes to remain anonymous. The gift, a filled donut, was in a bright, cheery bag. Someone knew I existed and wanted me to know they thought I was beautiful, just as my mother does. My heart skipped a beat. My soul rejoiced and I vowed to look for others who might be in need of the blessing of love.

The lost sheep was found and that lost sheep went on to serve others. May God bless each of us who are less than perfect to reach out to those in need with love and understanding?

Duane Jacobs, grandfather, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend