Callings

We live in a pretty small ward.  With that comes some wonderful things but some challenges as well.  One of those challenges is having enough members to fill callings.  There are also members who aren't willing to serve in some callings which makes it even harder. I serve in the primary and we feel that challenge often.  We always seem to be in need of a primary worker in some capacity or another. I've heard it is like this is a lot of primaries, not just small ward ones.  Why is it so hard to get people to serve in primary?  I've been in primary the last few years and have grown to really love it.  What could be more important than teaching our future generation and future leaders about the gospel?  We can help them learn as they are taught by the spirit and feel the Saviors love for them.  Besides their homes, this is one of the first places they experience the spirit and have the seed of faith nourished and cultivated.

Right now we have 5 callings to fill in primary, the most pressing being the chorister and pianist, both will have moved within several weeks.(Those callings play a huge role every Sunday!)  It seems especially difficult right now, when we need it most, to find people who can or are willing to serve.  In our last presidency meeting I was told that there are people who won't take callings in primary.  I don't know who these people are and there is no reason for me to, but I can't help wondering,"Why?"  I don't want to pass judgement because there are valid reasons people cannot serve in primary or other callings.  There could be health issues and other things that truly make it difficult to serve.  I understand that.  But what about people who can but won't serve. 

I know some callings can seem daunting or overwhelming.  Some might even seem boring. Most of the callings I've accepted have come with a great deal of trepidation.  Many of them I had zero experience in.  I was asked to be choir director in my college ward and I had never even learned to lead music.  I love music and can play the piano but never, ever lead music.  Maybe that was because I was always at the piano, playing my list of 3-4 songs.  My bishop said that he saw me down in the congregation and thought, she should be our new choir director. What?!!  I told him I'd never done that before but would accept the calling.  My roommates had to teach me how to lead.  I was terrified the whole time but I loved being able to pick the music. :)  I was also a R.S. teacher in my student ward, another scary leap for me.  Being called as the primary chorister was another very scary one.  I'd never been in primary before and didn't have much experience teaching children.  Matt was only 2 1/2 at the time.

As members of the church we are firm believers in our earthly life being an experience that will stretch, try and test us.  It will help us to become more like our Heavenly Father.  We know that trials, as hard, excruciating and uncomfortable as they can be, will make us stronger.  They will help us become who our Heavenly Father knows we can and need to be.  If most of us can accept this why can't some of us be willing to accept the growth and stretching that can come from callings.  I know that everyone has their callings that they are comfortable with, callings that are their favorites.  But, if we are never were willing to go beyond those how will we grow?  I know that life can be hard and callings on top of that can be challenging.  Tyson and I know that from personal experience.  He was the scoutmaster(very time consuming calling!) while working full time and finishing school.  I was the primary chorister, which was challenging for me, during that time.  I also went through 2 pregnancies while Tyson served as scoutmaster and I as the primary chorister and then member of the primary presidency.  I am not saying that to toot my own horn.  Many, many people do it.  I complained periodically, sometimes more than others, but we still served to our best abilities.  There are so many faithfully serving while going through their own quiet struggles in their personal life.  There were many times I kept wondering when Tyson would be released and I wasn't always happy about the length of time he had been in that calling but we hung in there and were blessed because of it.  I did learn that in the future I need to complain less and ask the Lord to help me carry my load more. 

Again, I want to say that I know there are some callings that some just cannot do for some reason or another and the Lord understands.  But to those that can, but don't really want to, or don't want to be uncomfortable or have to do something that makes life a little more challenging put your trust in the Lord and he will qualify you.  I am a firm believer in that. 
The Liberty ward primary presidency will be praying extra hard for willing hearts who are willing to serve. :)