Today after Sacrament Meeting, I sat in a stupor in the back of the cultural hall (because, no matter how hard I try, we rarely get to church early enough to sit any closer), contemplating how I was going to get my mammoth diaper bag, Vivi’s church bag, Baby Tad, and his awkward car seat through the crowded hallway to Sunday School.  As I sat there and tried to formulate a plan, surely in response to my silent prayer, a dear friend went out of her way to find me and offer assistance. And then another friend arrived at my side, gifting me a baby sling/nestling to help keep my busy boy safe and sound on my hip while still allowing me to try and get things done around the house each day.

Upon arriving to Sunday School, I sat down next to another friend who promptly took Baby Tad and fed him a bottle while I soaked in a wonderful lesson taught by yet another amazing comrade.  

After church, we enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by … you guessed it … yet another sister who will also be picking Vivi up tomorrow morning to take her to the park to play with other kids from the ward.

As BT headed off to church again for more meetings this evening, I was struck not with grumbling but with gratitude.  From perfectly-timed phone calls to heart-felt notes, home-baked goodies, play dates and especially prayers, I have been blessed immeasurably by my sweet sisters in the gospel who are keenly in tune with the spirit and who put into action the principle taught in Sunday School today: One way we can more fully pay our devotion to God is to come to church prepared to “seek out and strengthen others.”

In addition to feeling incredibly grateful for those that lighten my load, I felt a prompting and a promise that if I come to church more fully focused on seeking out and strengthening others, the frustration and loneliness I often feel on Sundays will be tempered.