Bring What You Have
The Savior can turn whatever you offer—big or small—into powerful expressions of love.
Once, on my mission, my companion and I made a beautiful coconut cake. We wanted to show our love and gratitude for our ward members, so when we saw a cake mix at the grocery store, we knew exactly what to do.
We spent hours delivering slices of cake, saving the last ones for two recently returned missionaries. We stopped at our apartment to grab the last container of cake, then hurried to our friends’ house through the pouring rain.
Their porch was dark, so I couldn’t see their expressions very well, but I could imagine their grateful smiles as they sampled our beautiful cake. I did not imagine that one of them would stop chewing mid-bite and say confusedly, “Sister … this is rice.”
Realization dawned on me. I’d grabbed the wrong container—and brought them our leftovers from lunch!
I was humiliated. How could our act of service have gone so wrong?
Small Offerings …
Have you ever worried about “failing” at service? Sometimes, we become discouraged when we think service needs to look a certain way. You might feel like you don’t have the right tools to help someone or you’re not sure what someone really needs. If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.
But remember when Jesus fed the 5,000? This miracle happened because one boy offered what he had: five loaves of bread and two small fishes (see John 6:9). The boy knew that wasn’t enough to feed everyone. Maybe he felt a little silly even offering it. But Jesus turned his generosity and small act of service into a miracle.
The Savior can also turn our small acts of service into powerful expressions of love. Anytime—and no matter how—we “[go] about doing good,” God will be with us.
… Big Results
The Lord says, “Be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (Doctrine and Covenants 64:33). Every act of genuine love, no matter how small, builds up to great things, including meaningful friendships, increased love, and a deeper connection to the Savior.
Even though my cake delivery didn’t turn out right, my friends appreciated the gesture (and had a good sense of humor). “It’s not about the cake,” one of them said. “The real gift was the effort you made to serve us.” It didn’t matter to them what I’d done, just that I’d done something. Because of that, our friendship was strengthened.
Sister Maxfield and her companion, Sister Sousa
So don’t be afraid to serve! You don’t have to do it perfectly. Offer whatever you have—even if it’s rice instead of cake.