An Unexpected Answer

"What if it's not enough?" she cried

while down upon her knees

"I try my hardest everyday

and still don't feel at ease.

"I know I can be doing more,

but dear Lord, tell me what.

I've opened all the doors I can

but now they all seem shut!"

She was kneeling at her bedside

as she gave this humble plea.

Her heart was full of anguish

and was longing to be free.

She knew God loved her dearly

and had faith in all he'd planned

but she knew that she must choose herself

to follow his command.

But she was at a turning point

she knew not what was next

she wanted to do what was asked of her

but was entirely perplexed.

"I'll give up everything I have

so I may better choose the right,

I want to be all that I can,

I want to follow in the light!"

"I hope someday to be like him,

my brother, savior, friend.

Help me to follow in his way

so I might achieve this end.

"He's patient, kind, long suffering;

he gave his life for me.

The very least that I can do

is what Thou asks of me.

"The problem is," she whispered,

"I'm not sure of what to do

but, to be like Christ I know for sure

I must give my will to you."

She ended her pray with a quick amen

and climbed into her bed

and followed promptings day by day

with that prayer running through her head.

She started helping others out

their burdens became her own

and she loved each person as herself,

let them know they were not alone.

Because it gave her joy

She helped people in distress,

and soon her prayers were different

she stopped feeling so depressed.

"Help Billy, he is sick in bed.

And Sarah also has a cold.

And poor Aunt Jane just broke her hip!

I know she's getting old.

"Make sure she knows I love her

and I'll do the things she cant.

I'll cook and clean and paint her nails

and tell her she's the greatest Aunt."

Soon she started to realize

all her problems were forgot

once she started serving

she had all the love she'd sought!

So she continued on her way

as merry as can be

"because," she thought "the Savior taught,

come and follow me."

She heard not to long after that

a prophet's admonition,

"Forget yourself and go to work!"

and smiled, for that was her mission.

- Elisabeth Crawford