All of us like to be noticed.  All of us like to be appreciated.  But not many of us seem to grasp that most of the great work of the world will never be noticed or appreciated.  Many of us put hours into writing novels, building businesses, hosting lunches and social gatherings, or decorating and cleaning a home.  Much less time is spent on the things of lasting importance – relationships, listening, family time and traditions, or fun activities together.  These activities, while seemingly mundane, are the greatest contributors to the successful fabric of society. 

As I have learned about my ancestors I have appreciated more and more the value of the ordinary life.  The life as one of the ninety and nine.  A life where sacrifice and service take precedence over wealth, glamor or ease.  A life that is a composite of tender touches, work worn wrinkles, dusty shirts and dinner time conversations.  A life where success is sacrificed on the altar of integrity.  A life where ambition melts in a compassionate glance.  A life where a child’s call is answered.  In this type of life we don’t get seen much.  These lives become yet another plain cotton thread in the fabric of a very warm, very soft blanket.  A family.  A community.  A nation.

My Little Place

“Father, where shall I work today?”

And my love flowed warm and free. 

Then He pointed me out a tiny spot

And said, “Tend that for me.”

I answered quickly, “Oh no, not that!”

Why no one would ever see,

No matter how well my work was done;

Not that little place for me.”

And the words He spoke, they were not stern,

He answered me tenderly,

Ah, little one, search that heart of thine

Art thou working for them or me?

Nazareth was a little place,

And so was Galilee.”

Are we willing to live a life where we won’t be noticed much?  Are we willing to live a life where we get little acclaim and little recognition?  Will we answer the silent pleas in children’s eyes for better mothers or better mothers? Will we be better family members, better neighbors and better friends? Or will we drive quickly past like the Priest and the Levite, busily making our way to the next appointment?  

I love the next quote:

“[T]o do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all man kind, is the truest greatness.  To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman.  One is universal and eternal greatness, the other is ephemeral.”  (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine)

Let us not be so hungry for acclaim that we pass by the most important moments and people of our lives.