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By Teresa Hirst | Shared at the Minneapolis TOFW event

I have a sweet assurance because I know God’s grace can enable me to see beyond my own weaknesses to reach out and love others.

Like, most women, I’m a sensitive person. I feel compassion, love and a deep desire to help other people. But that same emotional sensitivity makes me keenly aware of what I lack—the confidence, the resources, or even just the right words to say. My internal battle between a desire to love others and a self-absorbed struggle with my own inadequacies sometimes prevents me from loving like I want to love or like the Savior wants me to love.

A couple of years ago, I received a sweet assurance from the Lord that taught me to trust that His divine love will take care of my weaknesses. I accompanied my husband on a church assignment to visit the home of a woman receiving hospice care for cancer. I didn’t know her well, but I returned another day with soup. I sat on the little stool beside Lily’s bed and listened to her talk, even though I couldn’t understand much of what this tiny Filipino woman said.

On another visit, Lily said she wanted me give me her Hibiscus plant. I thought to myself, she can’t give her important plant to me; she doesn’t even know me. I just nodded. And to humor her, I said, “I’ll pick it up one day when I have a bigger vehicle and my husband can lift it for me.” Because I felt uncomfortable, I never went to get the plant. Besides, I was sure she’d forget.

Two weeks later, we visited again. I sat on the stool and said, “It’s me, Sister Hirst. Remember me?” "Sister Hirst,” she said, “you never came and got your plant.” She chastised me for neglecting it. So I said, “I will take it; thank you.” But she told me, “You never say thank you for a plant.” I didn’t understand what she meant. I just kept nodding and saying, “Thank you.” Then, she shared a tender dream she’d had about Heavenly Father.

Her courage, faith and spunk to face death inspired me to forget myself. I promised her husband I would be by soon to pick up the plant. But, my busy life continued. Days before I was to host a house tour for 300 people, I remembered the plant. I knew I needed to go. Again, I worried. I rationalized. I said to the voice within me, “I won’t have time until Sunday.” To quiet it, I asked my husband, “Will you go with me on Sunday?” When he agreed, I checked it off my “to do” list. The next day, though, I received a strong impression to not wait but to go get the plant that very day. This time I trusted, and I went.

The day after receiving the plant, I received word that Lilly had died. I don’t know why I needed to receive that plant before her death. Was it important for her to know someone would nurture it? Or was it for me to know that not one of us is forgotten of the Lord? Whatever the reason, I do know that the assignment to serve and the strength to do it came from God. He gave me the power to distinguish his voice above my internal battle, and trust that His love was enough for me to respond.

This experience showed me that I can answer his call to love others, whatever my capacity. Since then, I’ve recognized his daily assurances, both large and small, and they fill me with increased faith, hope and most importantly, charity. I needed these blessing this year—a year when a major accident, financial distress, and inner turmoil have pressed upon me. Despite those trials, I feel his grace upon me more than ever, strengthening my weaknesses and enabling me, as a woman, wife and a mother to reach out and love others with him.