I don't have it.

This morning I received a phone call from a good friend asking a very strange question. She asked, "Do you think it would be all right if I attended services at your church?"

I met Ann over a year ago. I was asked if I could drive her from Waco to the VA hospital in Temple. Her husband, Dave, a member of our ward, had been diagnosed with lymphoma and was unexpectedly admitted into the hospital. I agreed to do the small favor. It was a pleasant drive and a nice conversation. She needed a similar favor a few weeks later. That sealed the friendship. Ann is the definition of loyalty. Dave's health recovered and the two of them found many ways to thank me for my service to them.

Sadly, in April Dave passed away. Dave was Ann's only connection to the LDS church, so I was led to believe that she had begun attending church with some friends she made from the VA. I've kept in touch with Ann and she even attended Paul Ivan's birthday party in June, but I let time slip away and it had been several weeks, maybe a month, since I've talked with her -- until this morning. I answered her question by saying, "We would love to have you at church."

She came and even sat by my family. It was so nice to see her again. I started to worry about what would happen during Sunday school and Relief Society because I had committed to substitute teach in the primary today. Luckily Sandy Hodson showed up at our pew right after sacrament and whisked Ann away. Ann came to know and love the Hodson's during Dave's illness because Gene was serving as the Bishop. But face it, who doesn't love Sandy anyway?

So I'm teaching in primary about having faith in Jesus Christ. I teach about the experience of the brother of Jared and how it was his faith that allowed him to see Jesus Christ. I asked those seven-year-olds if they had that kind of faith and they all answered, "yes." They might, but I don't. I've been conditioned to rely on the flesh to solve my problems. I judge situations to be one way without regard to the fact that true miracles can (and do) happen.

Ann may never get baptized. But then again, she may. But the fact that she called and wanted to attend church because she "could see what Dave was talking about and why he loved this church so much" humbled me. I don't have faith that people will accept the gospel if I share it with them. I don't have faith that people will want to change their life to follow the Savior. I'm blessed today to be shown my weakness. That may have been the most important phone call I took all week.