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Serving in the Name of Jesus Christ
The author lives in Idaho, USA.
I want the service and love I give to bear a resemblance to the Savior’s love and service.
My grandma was the best giver. Her gifts were thoughtful, and every gift she wrapped was covered in beautiful paper with a coordinating bow tied perfectly with ribbon. Going to her home on Christmas morning was like walking into Santa’s workshop. Her gift was the gift you couldn’t wait to receive on Christmas and on every birthday as well. Even so, I don’t remember all the gifts she gave me. What was special was the way she gave them.
Late in 2016, Grandma was diagnosed with cancer. This woman who gave so well at Christmas would be in the hospital for her favorite holiday of the year. I started to worry about how that would affect Grandma, so I felt that I should call my mom and ask her how I could help Grandma with her gifts. Knowing Grandma, she would have made her Christmas plans ages ago and would be so disappointed not to carry them out. And indeed, Mom said Grandma had already bought the presents.
My grandpa gave us the task of wrapping and preparing the gifts for each of the thirteen grandkids and spouses, along with the gifts for more than twenty-seven great-grandkids. I carefully chose the gift bags, tissue paper, and envelopes.
I scanned a card from a previous year to remember their annual message: “Love Eternally, Grandma and Grandpa.” With Grandpa and Grandma’s permission, I did my best to re-create their message. I tried to wrap like Grandma did. I wanted everything to be perfect—to do it as she would have done.
When I was about halfway through the bags, glitter, and cards, the Spirit whispered to me, “This is part of what it means to take someone’s name upon you. This is part of what it means to do things in someone’s name.” In trying to give like Grandma, I was drawing closer to her. I started to think more about what it means to take Jesus Christ’s name upon us.
At baptism, I covenanted to take Jesus’s name upon me and to “always remember [H]im” (Moroni 4:3). Each week during the sacrament, I renew that covenant and begin again. I take that invitation more personally now. I understand better how taking Christ’s name upon us involves living as He would.
I knew how Grandma gave because I had been the recipient of her love and thoughtfulness so many times. I know how Heavenly Father and Jesus love and give because I constantly witness Their blessings in my life.
I am a recipient of Christ’s grace. I want to do what He would do. I want the life I live, the service I give, and the love I share to bear a resemblance to His—to feel as though it came from Him. I am grateful I had the opportunity to serve Grandma and, in doing so, to come to understand more deeply the gifts the Savior has given me.