I am the second child in my family; I have an older brother and a younger brother. We live in different parts of Melbourne in Australia, and our parents live in Adelaide which is nine hours away by car from Melbourne. We cannot go visit our parents that often due to our work, but our mother travels such a long distance whenever we get sick or something happens, and she looks after us.
One day, my older brother got a flu. My mother would have made a trip to my older brother’s house right away, but she was also sick and busy taking care of something else, too. Late at night, my mother called me.
“Yeon-uk, could you make some porridge and bring it to your older brother for me?”
“Porridge? Well, okay. But not now, because I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. It’s okay to bring it to him tomorrow, right?”
“Okay. I guess it will be okay. Please don’t forget tomorrow though.”
Actually, I felt bothered. It was true that I had to wake up early the next morning, but I just didn’t want to do anything because I was so tired. I was glad for a second that I didn’t have to do it right away, but my mother’s concerned voice kept ringing in my ears. I felt bad, so I made porridge despite tiredness and brought it to my older brother. Although I was a little tired, I felt much better. I called my mother on the way back home to make her feel relieved.
“I just dropped off some porridge for him. He ate it and he is resting now, so don’t worry too much.”
“Really? Thank you so much. Thank you for doing that for me. Good job. Hurry! Go home and get some sleep.”
Tears sprang to my eyes when I heard her voice; I could tell how thankful she was. I didn’t think she would be so happy for an errand I did out of obligation.
It made me reflect on myself and think if I was taking care of the errand from God Elohim as a son who’s been entrusted with the gospel. Shamefully, I realized that I often made an excuse and put off carrying out the mission to deliver the food of life to the heavenly brothers and sisters whose souls are sick. Although I said that I wanted to please Heavenly Mother and practice Mother’s love, I didn’t do what Mother would be pleased with.
Offering a prayer of repentance, I told myself that even if I felt tired and weary, I would preach the gospel hard, thinking about Mother who would wear a bright smile when She hears that the lost children have been found. I will no longer make an excuse. I want to give joy and not make Mother worry. In order to do that, I will have to work hard for the work that pleases Mother.