President Monson is dear to many. In all of his Church callings, President Monson has inspired many with his valiant example of selfless service and love for others. And wouldn't it be wonderful if we could personally share how his life and service has influenced our own?
They say that a prophet should be a window to the Lord. I would say President Monson has been just that. I can’t pick up the phone and give him a call to ask him how he’s doing, offer him a blessing, or tell him what I think of his years of service—but I can write a blog so here are the five things I wish I could tell President Monson this Sunday:
You Put People Over Process
You are all about the people, and we need more of that. In a world where everything is about getting things done, being busy, and striking another administrative item from our checklist, you taught me to slow down and think about the people we’re serving before anything else. Productivity and efficiency is great… but unless we slow down and think about the people we’re serving, all that we do in the church just becomes labor… instead of a labor of love.
One of the most impactful things I’ve ever heard from you was this:
“We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us. Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”
Lead image fromlds.org
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