I have talked to some people, and they have commented how they just haven't caught the "vision" of visiting teaching. I understand. Sometimes, it can be really awkward, especially visiting someone you don't know for the first time. Visits can be stiff. Sometimes people don't seem to want you there. Sometimes you'd rather be doing anything else. Or sometimes your assigned companion is, well, weird. Or sometimes you're companion is impossible to get a hold of. Or the girls you visit teach are impossible to get a hold of. Goodness knows I have had all of these scenarios happen to me.
But yet we are drilled many a Sunday lesson that visiting teaching is important. Stories are often shared of that "Sister Diligent" who faithfully visited a sister for years even though she never let her in the door and then one day she decided to come back to church after years of inactivity all because of Sister Diligent. Or the story of how Sister In-Tune-With-the-Spirit just knew she needed to drop by a sister's home but she didn't know why and upon answering the door the sister bursts into tears crying, "How did you know??" Or insert another life changing scenario here.
I'll be honest, I have never had those scenarios happen to me. In fact, I have never had one visiting teacher that I feel like saved my spiritual life because of one single crazy spiritual instance, and I'm pretty positive I haven't been that visiting teacher for anyone else. I am not trying to discount those stories--they are amazing, and important. But I don't think that they are the only thing that visiting teaching is about.
Here's what I think visiting teaching is about: I have always viewed visiting teaching as a way for us to be an extension of Christ's hands--to go in and visit and serve others, since Christ cannot come here and visit every person Himself. When we are given an assignment to visit a sister or two (or four, which has happened to my companion and me), Christ is essentially asking, "Please visit these sisters. They are important to Me. They have needs that you might be able to help with. You are going there instead of Me. I am counting on you to do this, and I know you can. Don't do it because you love them--do it because you love Me, and I will help you love them."
For me, Visiting Teaching isn't about the share-over-the-pulpit life-changing stories. It is about friendship. It is about Sisterhood. It is my visiting teachers bringing a meal or two over when I've had a baby. Or bringing a meal the day before I move since all my dishes are packed. It's watching my baby so that I can have an hour of undistracted packing time. Or it's when I tell her I've been struggling with depression and she sits by me, puts her arm around my shoulder and says, "I've struggled with that too. I understand. If you ever need to talk, I am here." It's gratefully eating a treat they brought, because it was the only thing that sounded appetizing when I had such awful morning sickness. It's feeling like I have a friend to sit next to at church. It's my Latina visiting teachers helping me brush up on my rusty Spanish skills without me feeling embarrassed. It's the reassuring feeling that if something bad were to happen, I could call one of my visiting teachers to help, because they've been coming consistently, and so I feel like they care. All of those scenarios have happened to me. And I am so grateful, because all of those acts of unselfish service have helped me feel so loved.
From the visiting teacher point of view, it was making cookies with a Panamanian sister I visited, who had always wanted to learn how. It's praying hard for her when she is scared of her upcoming medical procedure. It's bringing soup over to a sister that is sick. Or taking pictures of her newborn as a gift (or sharing another talent you have.) It's giving a ride to a sister who doesn't have a car. It's helping my companion who is learning English read a few verses of scripture she wants to share to the girls we are visiting. It's giving my companion a ride during an emergency, because she can't get a hold of her own visiting teachers. It's getting to know my companion who I thought was a complete nut, and learning how inspiring she is. It is that same crazy companion coming over and teaching me how to use my sewing machine. I am also grateful for these experiences, because I have learned so much from them. I have made friendships that were full of so much joy because of them. I have been able to feel like I am building God's kingdom, even if it's through just some "small and simple things." (Alma 37:6). These experiences have helped me to be less selfish, more serving, and more like Christ. They have helped me see others a little more how my Heavenly Father sees them. They have turned cynicism into humility, and those stiff, awkward appointments into friendlier ones. They have helped me get out of my comfort zone and into a growing zone.
From the Relief Society President point of view (which I did for a year in a single's ward), it's gratefully knowing that the sisters are taking care of each other. It's a relief off of your shoulders when visiting teachers meet needs of sisters, so that you can focus on other important matters. It's learning from visiting teachers of specific needs that you or the Bishop can help with that you would not have learned of any other way. It's having that certain feeling that this certain sister is supposed to visit this one, or be this one's companion, although you may never find out why. It is watching the sisters literally bless each other, and rejoicing in the bonds of friendship and sisterhood.
This, to me, is Visiting Teaching. And now I invite you to call or text your assigned sisters and set up a visit with them. Do it for them. Or for you. Or if for no other reason than trusting that this program is inspired, and that Heavenly Father has asked you. But please do it with an open mind and an open heart. If you do, I doubt you will regret it.
Love this!!
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