It was a day I cooked for my father. Though I was tired, it was nothing compared with my father, who had come home late and hadn’t even had lunch. So I quickly washed the rice and set it to cook.
“Thanks to you, I didn’t miss one meal today. Thank you.”
After finishing his meal, my father said this with a smile. I felt proud, but suddenly found myself reflecting:
“How many meals have I not gone without thanks to him?”
As I thought back over the years I’ve lived, it must be well over twenty thousand meals. In that moment, I was struck by how much love and care I’ve received throughout my life. Seeing my father express gratitude for a single meal I had prepared made my heart ache in a quiet way. It reminded me that this is the love of a parent—giving constantly without expectation while valuing even the smallest act of kindness from their child.
“Our great and grievous sins are so small in Mother’s eyes. But our small, good deeds, little faith, Mother sees as big and great.”
The lyrics of a New Song suddenly came to mind. If this is the love of our physical parents, how much greater is the love of our Heavenly Parents? Though They gave Their lives for us, They set aside the pain of that sacrifice and rejoice instead in our smallest acts of devotion. I offer my deepest thanks to our Heavenly Father and Mother, who accept even our humble efforts with joy and overflowing love.