What's My Attitude?

I was sitting in a Sunday school class back in February and the lovely teacher asked the most wonderful question accompanied by the four answers we can give.

WHAT'S MY ATTITUDE?

I WILL DO IT.

I'LL TRY.

I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.

I DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

She applied these questions to our commitments to attend church meetings, study the Bible and Book of Mormon, listen to and follow the prophet, serve, among many other things.

Tonight, as I came across the notes from that class, I got to thinking about how I tend to use these answers in every day life.

When I'm called by the missionaries to go out on visits with them what's my answer?

When I see someone looking hungry and homeless on the street corner how do I answer their pleas for help?

When I see someone who may simply need a smile, how do I respond?  I'll TRY to smile at you?  That's silly.

How about when you're standing in the check-out line at the grocery store and you notice that the checker is looking very tired and irritated.  Maybe I should comment on how cute her painted nails are or what a beautiful color her hair is.  I'll THINK about it.  Again, silly.

Maybe I've been thinking about someone all day.  I keep thinking I should text them and let them know they are on my mind.  What do I do instead?  Just THINK about it?

So, today when Gage asked me for more milk, what did I really say by sitting on my rear-end for a couple minutes before granting his wish?  Why did I wait so long?  What was I saying to him by waiting?  His desires weren't important to me?  Why in the world didn't I jump right up?  

Or how about when I got a call needing to do something for church.  Was my "I will do my best" simply saying to the person at the other end of the phone that "I'll try" rather than "you can absolutely count on me"?

So, tomorrow, when an opportunity presents itself I'm going to think about what I'm really saying (verbally or just in my mind) as I give my answers.  I would hate to even subliminally give the answers that have only to do with trying, thinking, and not wanting to.