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Service vs Self-gain
Posted On 04/03/2008 01:38:31 by Vanessa2
I met a nice lady at church who I had seen a couple times, but not had the opportunity to meet. Both she and her husband are returned missionaries, but her husband has since become apostate and, according to her, "anti-Mormon." They have 2 young children. Anyway, at our ward potluck, I had the opportunity to 'rescue' her sunbeam aged son from running up the stairs and out the door. I ended up doing this 1 other time before we both left. She was very appreciative and asked if I was available to babysit (which I'm really not). I told her my work schedule and gave her my information.

Now, I'm not really the babysitting type, but I figured that this could be a good opportunity for service and she really seemed desperate for a babysitter. I also figured, it would be a good missionary opportunity for her husband. However, while I was giving her my phone number, she asked me how much I charged to babysit. That suprised me, I was planning on doing it for free and I didn't know how to answer her. She told me to think about it.

I really don't want to charge her. However, since then, I've had a major car repair, found out how much we have to pay in taxes, and found out how much our summer road trip is really going to cost. Now I can't decide if the encounter with this sister provides an opportunity for service or an opportunity to make a little extra (much needed) money. If the Lord means it to be service, then I'll do it for free. If the Lord means it to be a little way to help us be able to pay all our bills with out breaking the bank, than I'll take that, too.

What's a girl to do?

Tags: Service



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Viewing 1 - 4 out of 4 Comments

From: Hemidakota
04/03/2008 12:26:33

Decision...decision. Yes, I can understand how the spirit can stir the soul. Thanks

 

HD 

 

 

From: Aurorasungem
04/03/2008 08:08:38
Be very very careful in this.  It is good to help out, but depending on the family problems, it is not always wise to step in the middle of a family battle even if you mean well.  Be very prayerful and mindful of what is going on around you if you decide to do this.  Best of blessings and pray about this one very carefully,
Maraleh


From: madjen38
04/03/2008 04:50:52
First time, short time, do it as a service.  Multiple times, your time is valuable to you/your family and there is a need.   But only you can decide  what feels right.  As a side note, the term "apostate" has an incredibly negative tone to it.  It inherently implies the act of forsaking and betrayal (publically).  The church encourages us to use the phrase "less active" or "non-member".   Just an FYI....


From: SmilingRedhead
04/03/2008 04:15:30

Hi :)

Just thought I'd add my thoughts to your dilemma...

Personally I think I would do the babysitting for free. Even if I could have needed the money...

I think you would be showing a great example of service and 'going the extra mile' by not taking the money. Who knows... perhaps her husband will be impressed by this and touched by the 'spirit of service' - more than if you had taken money for it. Of course he might not be, but at least you're setting up the opportunity for that to happen. :) And if Heavenly Father really wants you to get that little extra (much needed) money I could only imagine that by carrying out this selfless act, He would be much pleased and might set up a different avenue for you to get that little extra (much needed) money... Or He might not and all you were meant to gain from this was the experience of serving someone in need.

I hope it all works out for you

 

 

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