SimpleThreads

I went visiting teaching yesterday. For those of you who may not be familiar with that term, I'll explain: in our church, we have have several auxiliary organizations, and within the one for women (the Relief Society, which happens to be the largest women's auxiliary in the world) we have a program called visiting teaching. In this, women are paired up and assigned usually 3 or 4 other women to visit or keep in touch with. Yes, we are rather randomly tagged, and these assignments change (sometimes completely - new partner, new list - sometimes gradually- maybe just a new partner, or maybe one new person on my list) generally over the period of a year or so.

I like this - the visiting teaching program, being welcomed into other women's homes, inviting them into mine - because otherwise, I might simply cross paths with these women and exchange nothing more than a nod or a smile. Instead, my life is enriched by friends who share with me a rainbow of life experiences. The juxtaposition of relationships forged through visiting teaching is what one makes of it, and I hope to make each interaction with each unique woman count for something.

The weaving of a tapestry seems to be the analogy of choice used to describe how visiting teaching can strengthen those of us who participate in it. I am a single strand. Alone, I am strong and vibrant and useful - indispensable - for many things. But woven in a tapestry with other threads of different colors and thicknesses and textures, I become a part of something I cannot be on my own. My strength is multiplied, and where I am weak or faded, I am bolstered by the continuous fibres that are my friends. I am a part of something that is beautiful and strong and enduring.

And that is wonderful.