Here in San Luis Obispo, we have 4 fire stations. Charles and I were actually quite overwhelmed with the number of fire stations around here when we first moved to the area, and found out they're actually going to propose the building of another fire station because of the number of calls they get.
While we were with the scouts, in the classroom of our local fire station, the boys were asked if they had any questions. One of the boys raised his hand, and asked "How many people a year do you not save?" If I had been drinking anything at that moment, it would have come out of my nose. What a question to ask a fireman. They risk their lives and safety all the time for others, and that had to be the first question the scouts asked.
This question actually brings me to a meeting we had with our mission president, in our tiny branch building, with four missionaries and some other leaders of the ward. Our mission president was making a point about bringing people back to church.
He asked who on our list of people we had not seen at church, would we like to bring back to church. Well everybody, was the answer. We would like to save everyone on the list. That answer, humbly given and thoughtfully promoted, is our goal. Isn't it the main message of Jesus Christ? To save everyone?
Shouldn't we be nice to all people? Shouldn't we try harder to be kinder to those people we struggle talking with?
Well, the fireman at the front, explained to those scouts some qualifiers for saving people. He said sometimes an older person might have already have died or all their units might be out on another emergency when calls came in. He said they did their best with what they had. I would like to add, that we must also help others to help themselves. I try to do that as often as I can. It's important to maintain self reliance but to not be prideful. My pride is quite formidable at times.
Actually, lately I have come to more fully understand the reliance we have on others. When we are sad, it takes a village to buoy us up. When we are low on taco Tuesday, it's the taco sponsors that bring you up. If you feel sad, sometimes it's the puppies in a pumpkin that sweeten your day. And sometimes you just need a hug. So look around you for people who need hugs. They're all over the place, and sometimes a puppy in a pumpkin is hard to locate.
He asked who on our list of people we had not seen at church, would we like to bring back to church. Well everybody, was the answer. We would like to save everyone on the list. That answer, humbly given and thoughtfully promoted, is our goal. Isn't it the main message of Jesus Christ? To save everyone?
Shouldn't we be nice to all people? Shouldn't we try harder to be kinder to those people we struggle talking with?
Well, the fireman at the front, explained to those scouts some qualifiers for saving people. He said sometimes an older person might have already have died or all their units might be out on another emergency when calls came in. He said they did their best with what they had. I would like to add, that we must also help others to help themselves. I try to do that as often as I can. It's important to maintain self reliance but to not be prideful. My pride is quite formidable at times.
Actually, lately I have come to more fully understand the reliance we have on others. When we are sad, it takes a village to buoy us up. When we are low on taco Tuesday, it's the taco sponsors that bring you up. If you feel sad, sometimes it's the puppies in a pumpkin that sweeten your day. And sometimes you just need a hug. So look around you for people who need hugs. They're all over the place, and sometimes a puppy in a pumpkin is hard to locate.
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