by Tina Scott

Waking up one morning, I remembered a dream I’d had during the night. I was to take Sister Baker, an elderly widow in my ward a loaf of homemade cinnamon bread. Shaking my dream off, I realized that I didn’t know the woman well enough to just randomly show up at her door and hand her a loaf of bread. In fact, I didn’t even know where she lived. And why cinnamon bread?

I thought of the dream often during the day wondering if it was a moment of inspiration or a moment of madness. I concluded that my dream was a vain attempt on my part to make myself look better, and I decided not to make any cinnamon bread.

However, after having this same dream again the next night, I realized that for a reason unknown to me, Heavenly Father wanted Sister Baker to have a loaf of cinnamon bread. Who am I to argue? Well, anyway, who am I to argue for more than a day or so?

Cinnamon bread is not my favorite thing to make, and not necessarily the thing I do best. While baking, it often comes apart where I pinch it together at the bottom, leaving me with a loaf that looks rather inedible.

I committed to make the bread, but I was too embarrassed to give it to her myself. I knew the bishop’s wife, Sue Ann, and Sister Baker were good friends, so I took my freshly made loaf to Sue Ann. Explaining my prompting, I asked her to deliver the bread, and encouraged Sue Ann to say the bread was from her.

Sue Ann explained that Sister Baker had been to their house for a visit and had fallen on a misplaced toy. It had resulted in broken bones and, ultimately, bed rest until they were healed.

After delivering it, Sue Ann reported that Sister Baker had accepted the bread with tear filled eyes saying Cinnamon Bread was her favorite. She had been craving it, but, unable to stand, Sister Baker couldn’t make a loaf for herself.

I felt pretty good about the situation until Saturday night. I dreamed of taking Sister Baker some Sunday dinner. I couldn’t believe it! I didn’t know her! What would cause me to keep dreaming about her? I was determined that this prompting was fake and I refused to listen.

That evening my family dined on roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, Jell-o salad, and tossed salad – we had a regular Sunday feast. I found out later that Sister Baker went without dinner that night. Sue Ann had intended to take her some, but because of her small children, and her husband’s position, she hadn’t.

I think of this story regularly and realize how often I am ashamed or embarrassed to do the Lord’s work. Why do I behave this way when I profess to love the Lord? When we meet, will He bow his head in shame and say, “I never knew you?”

I’d like to say I’ve learned my lesson; that now I follow every prompting and do random acts of service every day; but that’s not the case. Sometimes when I’m prompted to do good deeds, I still turn away. Too often I find myself in a position to be a Good Samaritan and instead find that I better fit the role of a Pharisee.

The lesson of the cinnamon bread is one I keep learning over and over: it’s never a bad idea to do something nice. I’ve also learned that fear to act is one of Satan’s best weapons against service.

I hope the Lord will continue to bless me with opportunities to prove my worth. I don’t want to be a doubting Thomas, or even a Judas. I realize that Heavenly Father, as a loving parent, knows us all perfectly, and wants to provide comfort in our times of need – even if it’s through a loaf of cinnamon bread.

Tina Scott is a member of the Thatcher 7th Ward, Thatcher Arizona Stake.