As A Team

It’s said that youth stay active when they feel part of the church “team”. They’ll more likely “play by the rules” when they feel accepted and valued by their home team. As fellow ward members, are we a team? Do we support one another? Do we sacrifice for the team? Do we overlook flaws and seek the good instead? A house divided against itself cannot stand, and we’re all safer when we stay united and strong.
We’re imperfect, of course. We annoy each other at times. We let each other down. We step on toes and trample egos. We can be difficult. We forget the Golden Rule. We should still be a team. The worth of souls is great, and the Lord entrusts us with His precious children. How He must weep when He sees us push away those we should gather in our arms.
With the lure of the world so incessant and strong, can we afford to make anyone feel unwelcome? Do we dare take the chance of driving our youth away? No one really knows the secret misery, the private challenges, or the unfulfilled dreams of another. Today’s youth can face physical, mental, or situational struggles that are staggering in their breadth. If we knew the trials others face, we might just stand in awe of those who endure difficulties we can’t imagine. It’s never appropriate to tear down those in our care. Too many youth simply walk away from the gospel’s safety because they cannot bear rejection; and criticism, intolerance, and impatience are perceived by a child as rejection.
Wouldn’t it be wiser and more Christlike to see each other with kind eyes? Our youth are literally waiting to feel the acceptance they need to keep them in Christ’s fold—even when, especially when, they seem the hardest to reach. Their hearts are crying, “Love me anyway!” We have a solemn responsibility to seek out, gather in, to nurture, to lift and build. If we don’t fill needs, who will?
Mary Ellen Edmunds asked, “Have you ever thought that someone somewhere may be pleading with Heavenly Father for help, and you may be the one chosen to help answer that prayer? If we're willing, He'll use us. You likely have no idea how often you rescue someone.” Let’s rescue. Let’s nurture. Let’s be able to stand in front of the Savior with the knowledge that we did all we could to cherish His little ones.