I was recently informed that I will soon be released from my church calling as the Stake Young Women President. This is a calling that I have LOVED for the past 3+ years and, as we closed our backyard swimming pool for the season this week, this analogy popped into my head:
Serving in this calling has been a lot like hosting a Pool Party. When I first got called, I JUMPED RIGHT IN and encouraged everyone else to jump in and join the fun! For the past three years, I've felt the joy AND responsibility as Hostess, to make sure everyone felt included and safe at the party. I enjoyed the laughter, the fun, the friendships, and the opportunities to see others "learn to swim" on their own. I've reveled in the individuality of each guests' prowess or inexperience in the water. I observed as some hovered near the steps, a little afraid to join in but then later, were seen diving gleefully into the deep water, and waited anxiously as others ran about recklessly on the pool deck and prayed they wouldn't hurt themselves before they decided to join in the fun of the invigorating and refreshing water.
I did my best not to mess things up too much by pee-ing in the pool which would have offended EVERYONE!!!!
Now that a new Hostess is being called to replace me, I will step out of the pool....and for just a few seconds, my ripples will continue behind me, but then all that will be left, are the wonderfully comforting memories I've created for myself and my increased ability to hostess the next big event.
Then the new Hostess will arrive and jump right in to carry on. AIN'T LIFE A GREAT PARTY! I feel so very blessed.
