Friday, May 23

By Lynda Lyons of Kansas City, Kansas, USA

That Spirit is even now touching alive the souls of those who feel the passion of discipleship burning deeply within. Many others will respond if you are persistent in your witness and diligent in your mission to the world.

—Doctrine and Covenants 162:3b

The older I get, the more I believe that nothing happens by chance.

Take for example last week. Ethel, Joan, and I scheduled ourselves to meet Jim for lunch. He canceled just a few hours before we were to meet because he was not feeling well. That meant we had to make a few phone calls to set up new appointments for our pastoral-care work.

The first call was to Jack. On calling him, I learned his brother-in-law had passed away the night before. It turned out this was a call for much-needed comfort. I told the pastor, so we could do further outreach.

The next call was to Dorothy. She was confused because she couldn’t find her daughter, who probably was at work. I scheduled a place on my calendar to make a home visit soon.

Next was Bea. I let the phone ring 12 times with no answer. This is not normal. Bea is 91 and in declining health. I immediately called her family and planned a follow-up visit.

I called Susan next, and she welcomed our offer to visit. In the conversation, we learned she had lived in her apartment five years and still had not had a visit from her congregation. She attends our women’s meetings but goes to a church closer to home. We also learned of some health issues to keep in our prayers. We had a delightful visit with one almost forgotten.

All of these encounters need follow-up action. I believe that first cancellation led to other opportunities for action. Thank you, God, for directing our mission.

Prayer for Peace Loving God, touch us, make us alive so we may touch others. Help us follow Christ’s example and seek out those who are lost, lonely, and in need. Immerse us in Christ’s peace that we may share, forgetting no one.

Spiritual Practice: Intercessory Reflection Sit quietly with your eyes closed as you enter intercessory reflection and prayer. Ask God to bring people to your mind and heart who need prayer. Listen for signals from their lives and let the depth of God’s love for them become powerful and real to you. Write, speak, or think a prayer of blessing and healing for these much-loved disciples and friends. Ask God to help you see ways to affirm and support them when you meet them in daily life.

Peace Covenant Today, God, I will look beyond my everyday surroundings and discern who needs Christ.