DAY 214 -- Why Do I Want To Serve?

My boss asked me today why I wanted to serve a mission in about seven months.  I paused and thought about it for about one hundredth of a second.  Then I told him how much I loved my own mission when I was serving our Savior twenty four/seven.  I told him it was a total high, a dream to be able to serve again with all my time and talents doing His will.

Then I told him that Bonnie had never served a mission and I knew that she would thoroughly enjoy serving the Lord full time also, besides she would have a great companion.  He shook his head and said that he didn't think his wife would ever go on a mission with him.  I listened to him for a few minutes and then felt so grateful that I had a wife who would go with me and serve.  It is her goal as well as mine and we are united in it.

As I drove home tonight, I began to think again about what he said.  I know his wife and I know her to be one who loves to serve, who is dedicated to the Lord, and then I began to question why he would say that about his wife.  I questioned if he had ever talked to her about serving by his side as a missionary. 

I talked to another sister last Sunday and she has served a few missions with her husband.  We were talking about the upcoming 214 days and I asked her when she was going to serve again.  She said they were looking into that and would decide soon.  But then she told me that she was told by someone else that one of the main reasons why some do not serve mission is because they do not want to leave their cat or dog, or pet.  I laughed.  She was serious.  She said that some, of course, hated leaving their grand kids, but many more also would not go because of their pets. 

No matter what the reason, either pets, grand kids, or just because one has never discussed it with their spouse, these are pretty lame excuses for not serving on a mission.  The prophet asked everyone to consider serving a mission, for the Church needs senior missionaries.  I wonder what our Father will say at judgment day when we present to him our reasons why we didn't serve.  No judgment on my part, but it will be interesting. I believe many more would serve if they would just discuss it with their eternal companion and many may be surprised by their response.  I believe that my boss's wife would serve with him.  But that is only my opinion.