Acts of Love

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-34).

There are many wonderful people in my life that have done many wonderful things for me.  In recent months I have been the recipient of much love and service.  There are three women in particular who have taught me a little bit about charity.

First: My Companion

Hermana Núñez had been in the field for two months when my health began to regress.  Life as a new missionary can be difficult enough, and I was her trainer.  Day after day my companion and I slowly strode home to our little Chilean cabaña, walked through the door, and every day she would watch as I crumbled to the floor exhausted and often in tears.  She would look up from her quiet studies to see me twitching on the couch and offer what comfort she could. She would chop the wood, build the fire, clean the apartment, and carry my bags.  She was never impatient for the extra work that she had to do, and she was always as obedient and faithful as the Lord expected her to be.  I knew that I was a burden on her, but she never treated me like one.

Second:  The Other Sister

Hermana Zanetta was sent home for medical reasons the same day I was.  We flew from Puerto Montt to Santiago together.  Her family arrived to the airport to pick her up and take her home several miles away.  I would be waiting in Santiago for my next flight and then travel another 15 hours alone.  I expected when we landed for Hermana Zanetta to leave with her family and return home to begin her own difficult healing process.  She had been traveling longer than I had been, had already taken care of me thus far, but she looked at me and said with a very firm tone, “Hermana Wood, my family can wait.  I am going to stay with you until you are on your next plane home.”  She sat with me and talked with me, helped me with my suitcases, and walked me to the gates when it was finally time to go.  I knew she was sad and tired and worried about what the next few months would hold, but those few hours with me were more important to her.

Third: Mom

No one can do quite as much as a mother, and my mom did just about everything.  She prepared all my meals, cleaned up after me, helped me get dressed every day after surgery, sat in my room to keep me company, and drove me to and from my doctor for months.  I started to recover slowly, but one night was especially difficult.  At 3 a.m. the pain rushing up my body led to loud, broken sobs.  Mom came rushing to my room to calm me down. She had work in the morning, people to take care of, and errands to run the next day, but she sat on the bed, held me until I was calm, slept on the floor that night and nights after to make sure there would be no more tears.  Whether it was soothing my many pains or refilling my water bottle she did it, as loving mothers do.

These women didn’t expect any praise or thanks.  They helped me whether it was convenient or inconvenient, whether they were well-rested or tired, whether I deserved it or not.  In quiet acts of kindness that made me feel loved.  And when I felt their love I felt God’s love. 

That is how the Lord wants us to serve.  That is how Christ is for us.  All the darkness and evil and sorrow of this life He overcame because He loves us and He wants us to be happy.  

I hope this Christmas season and all year long we can remember that!  For as Jesus said, “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).