“Can Walking and Talking ‘Count’ as Ministering?,” Liahona, Oct. 2023.
Aging Faithfully
Can Walking and Talking “Count” as Ministering?
Showing that we care counts to the Lord and each other.
When my brother and I were young, we loved to visit our grandmother. She lived about 15 minutes away from our house, so we visited her frequently. Many times when we arrived at her house, she would be on the telephone. A neighbor called nearly every day just to talk. We never could understand why Grandma spent all that time talking on the phone with a neighbor. So we told her to tell her neighbor she was busy. Grandma would finish the call, smile, and then turn her attention to us.
Sixty or more years later, I realize that Grandma wasn’t being bothered by her neighbor’s frequent calls. Rather, these two widows were supporting each other—talking together when others didn’t have the same time or interest just to visit.
Service Is a Demonstration of Discipleship
As we seek to become more like our Savior, we embrace opportunities to serve, regardless of the “who” or the “when.” Notice how the Savior took time to teach Nicodemus—a Pharisee—who came at night to ask Him questions (see John 3). Similarly, Jesus showed love and compassion as He taught the Samaritan woman at the well (see John 4).
But what if we are busy doing good things and someone else needs our help at the same time? The Savior is again our exemplar. When the woman with an issue of blood reached out to touch Him as He walked by to serve another, He stopped and ministered to her before going on to minister to the dying young woman (see Matthew 9:20–25). Jesus’s example shows us that even interruptions are rich ministering opportunities.
Sister Jean B. Bingham, former Relief Society General President, gave a wonderful summary of how we can minister to each other as the Second Coming approaches: “What better way to prepare to meet Him than to strive to become like Him through lovingly ministering to one another! As Jesus Christ taught His followers at the beginning of this dispensation, ‘If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me’ [Doctrine and Covenants 42:29]. Our service to others is a demonstration of discipleship and our gratitude and love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ.”1
Photograph of Brother Rigby and Brother Bracken courtesy of the author
Where Do We Find Ministering Opportunities?
Often, Christlike ministering takes place in the small, sincere acts you do every day.2
My neighbor Marriner Rigby is 95 years old. Several years ago he was in a parking lot when a distracted driver backed over him, crushing his left leg. After six weeks of rehabilitation, he could walk again with the aid of a walker. He began walking up to a mile each day. He was joined by 84-year-old Ron Bracken, who had visited Brother Rigby in the rehabilitation center despite dealing with stage 4 bone cancer himself. Since neither of them had a ministering assignment, they decided to minister to each other while walking in the neighborhood.
They talked about everything: faith, finances, families, future plans. Oh yes, future plans. They were realistic about their ailments but motivated each other to pursue future goals. Then again, it wasn’t so much what they talked about as it was just being together. They made time for each other.
Ministering can include sharing and listening, walking and talking, planning and reminding. Sometimes we may worry about what “counts” as ministering. But sincere caring counts to the Lord and each other. Everyone can do that—and it makes a Christlike difference!
The author lives in Utah, USA.