Have I done any Good?

I love Alex Boye! His music always speaks to my soul and so of course I loved this rendition of the song Have I done Any good in the World Today!

When I was serving a mission for the LDS church in Virginia that was the one song we seemed to sing as a group at every meeting (besides Called to Serve:) )

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
[Chorus]
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.
There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.
Text and music: Will L. Thompson, 1847–1909, alt.

I can attest that the joy I felt on my mission was undescribable. To  be able to put my own life aside for a year and a half when I was 21 and 22 years old, and totally focus on others and there needs was a blessing and life changing. So much so that knowing I was nearing the end of my mission- I asked my mission president if I could stay out just a little longer and was able to stay one more month.  I solidified something I had already learned by my parents example- that there is great joy to be found in service. The Lord knew what he was talking about when he said in Mathew 16:25 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."


President Ezra Taft Benson taught:

“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life” (“Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” Ensign, Dec. 1988, 4).

In the 12 step tradition of alcoholics anonymous-the last step says:

 " Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."

I work as a medical social worker at a hospital and have worked with many alcoholics who have come to the hospital with medical complications due to their drinking. One of the greatest things for me to see is the joy I see in the face of one of our AA volunteers. He is a man in his 60s who comes within hours of our phone call- to visit with any alcoholic willing to talk to him about the AA process and how it has changed his life. His enthusiasm to share what he has learned through his healing process shines through and he says that the process of following this 12th step and reaching out to others, is what keeps him on the recovery path.

The 12 step program continues to be the most successful program out there for alcohol addition recover. As a result, the LDS church has adopted the 12 step program and uses it throughout the world to help with any form of addiction. You can get more information at https://arp.lds.org. (I believe that the process also works for any type of healing, healing of addiction, healing from trauma, healing from mental illness, or other forms of healing.)

I quote from the ARP manual's step twelve. It says

"To remain free of addiction, you must get outside yourself and serve. The desire to help others is a natural result of spiritual awakening. You have a message of hope for other addicts, for allafflicted and troubled people who are willing to consider a spiritual approach to changing their lives, and for anyone seeking truth and righteousness. The message is that God is a God of miracles, just as He has always been (see Moroni 7:29). Your life proves that. You are becoming a new person through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You will share this message best through your efforts to serve others. As you serve, your understanding and knowledge of this process is strengthened and deepened. Sharing your testimony of His mercy and His grace is one of the most important services you can offer. Bearing the burdens of others through acts of kindness and selfless service is part of your new life as a follower of Christ."

All that said-there is a reason that service is step #12 (the very last step of healing) Again from the ARP manual-

"In your enthusiasm to help others, be sure to keep a balance between sharing the message and working on your own program. Your primary focus must continue to be to apply these principles yourself. Your efforts to share these ideas with others will be only as effective as the recovery you maintain."
As you heal from the trauma you have been through -you will find this 12th step of serving others -one that grounds you. As you reach out to others with your love and your experiences, your own healing will be solidified.