In the early part of 2004 as I was standing in the lobby of the church talking with another sister after sacrement services and commenting on how I had been feeling like a failure...
Brother Alvin Larsen turned to face me, and reached over and touched my hand and said, Sister Raney, "I don't think Heavenly Father would think of you as a failure, with all the many talents you have, and your genealogy work...you must remember he measure's our worth in other ways that we may not even think of, and I am sure he is proud of you." I was a bit startled by his comment...almost brushing him off...and he said that "men think of worth by how much money is made...what kind of job we have...he said that just because I was unemployed, did not mean I was "worthless"...that I was employed in the work of my Heavenly Father as Josh's protector"...he patted my hand, smiled...and walked away....
He left me with food for thought...as I realized...that in my period of unemployement taking care of Joshua I had felt as tho I was a failure because I was "unemployed"...and realized I had been employed in a very important roll, my sons health and well being...that I had really accomplished much, and I had failed to see it for what it was.... I then shared it with Bishop Kendall...he too, reaffirmed Brother Larsens comments...and I have since viewed these last few years with a whole different perspective....
I regret never having the sense to personally thank him for his comments to me that day, and what they meant to me. But they will never be forgotten, for he has left a permanent mark in my heart and memories with his kind gesture, and special spirit, as I am sure that is who guided his comments.
In Loving Memory
Catherine A Raney
August 03, 2004