THROUGH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING

THROUGH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING

The Lord most assuredly answers prayers, but it is often through another human being that He does so. – President Spencer W. Kimball

“Nicole! You’re back!”

She stood there, framed by the doorway of Bishop Henderson’s office, considerably thinner than she was when she left two years before, although she was not hefty then.

“You remember me? And my name! After so long – I’m impressed.”

“What can I say? Some people just make a lasting impression.” Nicole had joined the Church during her freshman year, largely as a result of the efforts of her older sister, a convert herself. She had not returned for her sophomore year, mainly because of finances.

“So what have you been up to since I’ve seen you last?”

“Working full-time and taking a class or two at the local community college. That’s about it.”

“I’m glad you’re back. How do things look financially for you at this point in time?”

“A lot better. I hope to find a part-time job, but it looks like I’ll be able to stay this time around. Oh, and I took a vacation to the Caribbean last fall. I couldn’t believe the bargain price, so I said why not? Spent too much on the “optional” stuff, though.”

“Don’t we all? Did you gain the requisite pound a day like most of us do when there is so much delicious food around?”

“That’s just it, Bishop. I don’t eat hardly anything. Can’t seem to get myself to. I’ve lost too much weight, but I keep stressing about how fat I am. I’m making myself sick. I can’t sleep, I feel tired all the time – I’m a wreck.”

Anorexia, thought the bishop. That explains the sunken, lifeless eyes.

“Nicole! I’m sorry! How can I help?”

“I’m doing everything I know how. I pray my knees raw pleading for the discipline – or something – to break my downward spiral. I know I haven’t been going to church as I should – maybe that’s why the Lord doesn’t hear my prayers. I guess I’m not good enough any more for Him to pay any attention. Maybe I never was.” She reached for a tissue.

“You’re here, aren’t you?”

“What do you mean?” She looked startled.

“You’ve been praying for Divine guidance. President Kimball said something like, “We plead for answers to our prayers. The Lord does so, but it often is through another human being that those answers come. Just like you – you’re praying for help, and you find yourself sitting across the desk of one of the Lord’s authorized servants on this earth. Why else would you be here if you weren’t prompted by Heaven to come? I can’t help but feel that you having the courage to walk through that office door is the beginning of the Lord’s answer to your prayers.”

“Hm-m. I never thought of it that way.” She looked up. There was a flicker of light in her eyes.

The bishop rolled up his sleeves as he spoke. “This is the Church and Kingdom of God on the Earth today, Nicole. There are resources available to help with this and many other knee-buckling challenges that people are called upon to face. Are we ready to go to work?”

It was a COLD February day. She had long sleeves on too. She took off her coat, unbuttoned her sleeve cuffs, and mimicked the Bishop as she exclaimed, “You bet.”