The Things That Inspire

Yesterday was our special "Visiting Teaching Seminar" during Relief Society. Our Relief Society President spoke about how when she was called it made her think of the relationship between a mother hen and her chicks. She talked about how some hens don't have that nurturing relationship with her chicks, and how others when put in a confined space with chicks that were not hers, she would have the mothering kick in, and would take them under her wing. She compared that to visiting teaching, and how we can nurture those that are under our care. Then the Bishop spoke to us about our roles as women of the relief society. He read us a quote by Joseph Smith that is really amazing.
"You sisters, it is part of your nature to have charity. If you find you don't have it, you are fighting against your nature. God needs you to have it and will grant it to you. You must act according to the sympathies to which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. How precious are your souls? The female part of community are apt to be contracted, in their views. You must not be contracted, but you must be liberal in your feelings. When you come home or enter into another's, never give a cross word, but let kindness, charity and love crown your works. Don't envy those who are sinning, but have mercy upon them. I bless you with the rejoicing of knowing you are God's daughters and Sisters to each other."
Then he broke it down. That the great blessing of charity, is given to each of us as women, and that fighting against it, is fighting our very nature! I know that at times, I struggle to be more charitable, and I must work harder so that I can follow more closely to my natural being. God NEEDS it from us, so he GIVES it to us. If we live up to it, we are promised angels to be with us. We are to be kind always, even when we don't really want to. And we are to have mercy on the sinners, and not envy them.
If we were to be more charitable as women in the Gospel, we would make sure to do our visiting teaching, even when it seems like we don't have the time, because we never know how much the sisters on our routes might need a visit from us. Even if it's an email, a phone call, text or an actual visit, they could feel our love, and through us feel the love of our Heavenly Father.
I know from experience that when we are going through a tough time in our lives, sometimes all we need is that phone call from a friend, just wanting to see how things are with us, and offering love, guidance, assistance and an uplifting message to shine a light before us in the darkness.