On Enduring to The End

Several years ago at a Stake High Council Meeting, one of the members of the Stake Presidency gave a presentation on enduring to the end. He drew a long horizontal line on the board, and starting at the right end of the line he began putting markers down like birth, blessing, baptism, priesthood ordinations for the boys, missions, and temple marriage. And then there was all of the rest of the the line about 3/4 of the length left blank. I remember looking at that stretch of plain line without any goal posts on it and thinking: Enduring to the end is a very long process,specially when there are no intermediate goals to encourage you on. Of course the second forth of that line is occupied by helping and watching your children passing through all those markers as well. But when the children leave, even though you stay in close contact with them and any grandchildren, you are now participating in a "one removed" way, and it comes down to how am I personally going to endure to the end.
It has been my privilege for most of this last year to work as a temple worker at the Washington DC temple on Saturdays. Being there and working in different areas of the temple and seeing other temple workers most much older than I, suffering from various physical impairments from brain tumers, to pace makers, a variety of artificial replacement joints etc., has been a real inspiration to me. They come and do what they can, and they do it with a smile and are so happy to serve. In particular I work with one sister, who has scoliosis of the back. Her spine virtually looks like a Z, but she is always happy, always has a smile, always wants to serve.
What inspires me about these brothers and sisters is that instead of sitting and feeling sorry for themselves, and dwelling on all the shortcomings and problems they are inflicted with, they are focusing on the things they can still do with what they have left. Staying busy, staying optimistic,staying active and serving is making them happy and fulfilled individuals. It is wonderful to see these senior couples walking hand in hand to and from the temple, and notice the love and respect they show for each other.
By observing them, I am learning how I am going to endure the last portion of that line of endurance to the end: By having hope or being optimistic in the face of discouragement, finding ways to serve others, loose myself in the service of my family and others who need my help.
I have basically been sick since December of 2001, but when I look back on the last 8 years I am amazed at how much I have actually been able to accomplish in spite of illness.
I am so grateful to our Church leaders for seeing the wisdom in keeping senior members busy with church work, whether it is missions, genealogy, temple work, or welfare work, it is keeping a large and knowledgeable group of members involved in moving this wonderful church on.