Some days don't quite go like you plan. Some weeks, some months, some years. ;) Lately some things haven't gone as planned. I regret to say that when this happens I sometimes feel a bit disgruntled. This happened over and over last night, but even in my frustration I knew I was exactly where I needed to be and where I should be spending my time....and one thing led to another opportunity to serve. Looking back I am grateful and feel very blessed.
This all reminded me that it's important to plan and look forward to something, but also to let go and be flexible and watch for and enjoy the serendipity of life! Looking for and anticipating and even praying for chances to serve will probably help alleviate any frustration, too. I know that His Plan is always better than mine! :)
Here's one thing that is sure to make you smile, even if your day didn't go as planned: Good to Be Alive !!!
This sounds a bit like Elder Oaks talk at BYU Commencement earlier this month, Joy at Graduation.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Friday, August 21, 2015
Seek not to be cumbered
While seeking for some personal direction recently....this is what I found:
"Tarry not many days in this place....think not of thy property....
Seek not to be cumbered. Forsake all unrighteousness."
The main takeaway - seek not to be cumbered! I love that! Basically - don't worry or stress, especially about things that don't matter. That message was reinforced in my mind through music:
He clothes the lilies of the field
"Tarry not many days in this place....think not of thy property....
Seek not to be cumbered. Forsake all unrighteousness."
The main takeaway - seek not to be cumbered! I love that! Basically - don't worry or stress, especially about things that don't matter. That message was reinforced in my mind through music:
- If I Listen With My Heart
- I Am a Child of God
- The Lord My Pasture Will Prepare
- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
- Consider the Lilies
He clothes the lilies of the field
He feeds the birds in the sky
And he will feed those who trust him
And guide them with his eye
Consider the sheep of his fold
How they follow where he leads
Though their paths may wind across the mountain
He knows the meadows where he leads
He feeds the birds in the sky
And he will feed those who trust him
And guide them with his eye
Consider the sheep of his fold
How they follow where he leads
Though their paths may wind across the mountain
He knows the meadows where he leads
He clothes the lilies of the field
He feeds the lambs in his fold
And he will feed those who trust him
And make their hearts as gold
For some reason, I have always heard the last lines a little bit differently and it especially touched me in the setting where I was listening: "And He will heal those who trust him and make their hearts as one."
Earlier this week at the Education Week Devotional at BYU, Elder Neil L. Andersen gave a neat talk entitled A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous. He counseled us to be prayerful, but not overly concerned. I love that and believe that it fits right in to this message and thought of the importance of trusting in the Lord and not being cumbered or overly concerned by other worries. As he teaches, the power and confidence comes from choosing goodness and righteousness. I recommend the whole talk!....and seeking to not be cumbered (it's a work in progress for me)!!
Another good reference is 3 Nephi 13:25-34. Something I need to study and consider further is the question and balance and need to trust the Lord to prepare our pasture while working responsibly and with all diligence to be self-reliant. Maybe more on that later....
And he will feed those who trust him
And make their hearts as gold
For some reason, I have always heard the last lines a little bit differently and it especially touched me in the setting where I was listening: "And He will heal those who trust him and make their hearts as one."
Earlier this week at the Education Week Devotional at BYU, Elder Neil L. Andersen gave a neat talk entitled A Compensatory Spiritual Power for the Righteous. He counseled us to be prayerful, but not overly concerned. I love that and believe that it fits right in to this message and thought of the importance of trusting in the Lord and not being cumbered or overly concerned by other worries. As he teaches, the power and confidence comes from choosing goodness and righteousness. I recommend the whole talk!....and seeking to not be cumbered (it's a work in progress for me)!!
Another good reference is 3 Nephi 13:25-34. Something I need to study and consider further is the question and balance and need to trust the Lord to prepare our pasture while working responsibly and with all diligence to be self-reliant. Maybe more on that later....
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Be a Light
I happened to get up right in time today to hear Lloyd Newell's message from Music and the Spoken Word and I was inspired and grateful for the light it brought into my life and the reminder to be a light to others:
"Moonlight, with its soft, silver tones and the enchanting mood it casts, has captured our fancy for centuries. It has been the subject of countless poems, songs, serenades, and evening walks. We marvel at how bright a full moon can seem sometimes, even though we know it is merely reflecting the light it receives from the sun. In fact, our full moon, at its very brightest, only reflects about 12 percent of the light that reaches it.
All around us, objects reflect or absorb light. Snow reflects almost all the light that reaches it, while black asphalt absorbs it, which explains why roads get so hot on sunny days. And what about us? How much light do we reflect? Do we brighten the world for others and share the hope and cheer of a sunny outlook? Or do we only take, pulling in energy but never giving any back?
There are countless ways to share light with others. When we extend a helping hand, when we take time to listen, when we give a sincere compliment, when we teach a child, we are reflecting light. Mother Theresa said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Yes, even something as simple as a smile bounces light and love back into the world.
We are drawn to people who reflect joy and optimism. They seem to have a luster, a light, a glow about them. We find ourselves not only wanting to share their company but also striving to emulate their example, to shine with similar brilliance. Unlike the moon, snow, or asphalt, we can choose how much light we give. We can decide to reflect the good around us and help others see “the bright side.” Very often, when our goal is to provide as much light as we can, we inspire others to do the same. If everyone made this simple choice, perhaps our collective radiance would be enough to light up the entire world."
The weekly broadcast also included one of my favorite (and related) songs - Give, Said the Little Stream.
I also love this month's First Presidency message by President Monson - Stand as a Light.
"I would like all of the youth of the Church to know that they are children of light. As such, they have a responsibility to be “as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). They have a duty to share the truths of the gospel. They have a calling to stand as a temple beacon, reflecting gospel light to an increasingly dark world. They have a charge to keep their light aflame and burning brightly....
With a strong testimony of the Savior and His restored gospel, you have limitless opportunities to shine. They surround you each day, in whatever circumstances you find yourselves. As you follow the example of the Savior, yours will be the opportunity to be a light, as it were, in the lives of those around you—whether they be members of your own family, classmates, co-workers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers.
When you are a light to the world, people around you will feel a special spirit that will make them want to associate with you and follow your example."
"Moonlight, with its soft, silver tones and the enchanting mood it casts, has captured our fancy for centuries. It has been the subject of countless poems, songs, serenades, and evening walks. We marvel at how bright a full moon can seem sometimes, even though we know it is merely reflecting the light it receives from the sun. In fact, our full moon, at its very brightest, only reflects about 12 percent of the light that reaches it.
All around us, objects reflect or absorb light. Snow reflects almost all the light that reaches it, while black asphalt absorbs it, which explains why roads get so hot on sunny days. And what about us? How much light do we reflect? Do we brighten the world for others and share the hope and cheer of a sunny outlook? Or do we only take, pulling in energy but never giving any back?
There are countless ways to share light with others. When we extend a helping hand, when we take time to listen, when we give a sincere compliment, when we teach a child, we are reflecting light. Mother Theresa said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Yes, even something as simple as a smile bounces light and love back into the world.
We are drawn to people who reflect joy and optimism. They seem to have a luster, a light, a glow about them. We find ourselves not only wanting to share their company but also striving to emulate their example, to shine with similar brilliance. Unlike the moon, snow, or asphalt, we can choose how much light we give. We can decide to reflect the good around us and help others see “the bright side.” Very often, when our goal is to provide as much light as we can, we inspire others to do the same. If everyone made this simple choice, perhaps our collective radiance would be enough to light up the entire world."
The weekly broadcast also included one of my favorite (and related) songs - Give, Said the Little Stream.
I also love this month's First Presidency message by President Monson - Stand as a Light.
"I would like all of the youth of the Church to know that they are children of light. As such, they have a responsibility to be “as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). They have a duty to share the truths of the gospel. They have a calling to stand as a temple beacon, reflecting gospel light to an increasingly dark world. They have a charge to keep their light aflame and burning brightly....
With a strong testimony of the Savior and His restored gospel, you have limitless opportunities to shine. They surround you each day, in whatever circumstances you find yourselves. As you follow the example of the Savior, yours will be the opportunity to be a light, as it were, in the lives of those around you—whether they be members of your own family, classmates, co-workers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers.
When you are a light to the world, people around you will feel a special spirit that will make them want to associate with you and follow your example."
Monday, August 3, 2015
Must Go THROUGH!
I remember hearing a song when I was growing up about something being too high that you can't go over it, too low that you can't go under it, too wide that you can't go around it, so you have to go right through! I don't think I understood the song at the time, but I have been thinking about this concept A LOT lately.
It seems like every other article, blog, scripture, and talk I've read lately says something about the importance and necessity of going THROUGH something. Each of these experiences is for our learning and progress and ultimate happiness, but they are often the very things that we pray away and just want to be over!
Someone pointed out this blog post. I love this child's question and the discussion that follows and what it got me thinking about - Why didn't the angel just take him out?
While preparing a Sunday School lesson about agency I was searching through some of Elder Bednar's talks about acting and not being acted upon. I came upon a few great thoughts:
Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease (April 2014)
The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality (April 2012)
"Nephi is an example of one who knew, understood, and relied upon the enabling power of the Savior. Recall that the sons of Lehi had returned to Jerusalem to enlist Ishmael and his household in their cause. Laman and others in the party traveling with Nephi from Jerusalem back to the wilderness rebelled, and Nephi exhorted his brethren to have faith in the Lord. It was at this point in their journey that Nephi’s brothers bound him with cords and planned his destruction. Please note Nephi’s prayer: “O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bandswith which I am bound” (1 Nephi 7:17; emphasis added).
Do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? “Please get me out of this mess NOW!” It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement.
I do not think the bands with which Nephi was bound just magically fell from his hands and wrists. Rather, I suspect he was blessed with both persistence and personal strength beyond his natural capacity, that he then “in the strength of the Lord” (Mosiah 9:17) worked and twisted and tugged on the cords, and ultimately and literally was enabled to break the bands.
The implication of this episode for each of us is straightforward. As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14)."
Then Elder Bednar discusses Mosiah 24:14-15 and Alma's experience when his people are being persecuted by Amulon.
"What was changed in this episode? It was not the burden that changed; the challenges and difficulties of persecution were not immediately removed from the people. But Alma and his followers were strengthened, and their increased capacity and strength made the burdens they bore lighter. These good people were empowered through the Atonement to act as agents and impact their circumstances. And “in the strength of the Lord” Alma and his people were then directed to safety in the land of Zarahemla."
In the Strength of the Lord (October 2001)
These thoughts remind me that life is all about what we're becoming. If life were easy and happy all the time we wouldn't grow. This ties right into the another Sunday School lesson (The Fall of Adam and Eve and the need for opposition). I also love this quote President Faust shared in October 2004: "Dr. Arthur Wentworth Hewitt suggested some reasons why the good suffer as well as the wicked: “First: I don’t know. Second: We may not be as innocent as we think. Third: … I believe it is because He loves us so much more than He loves our happiness. How so? Well, if on a basis of strict personal return here and now, all the good were always happy and all the bad suffered disaster (instead of often quite the reverse), this would be the most subtle damnation of character imaginable.”"
Relatedly, Brigham Young taught, "Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves."
And Elder L. Tom Perry said, "I have sometimes wondered what would have happened if Nephi has asked the Lord for tools instead of a place to find ore to make the tools. I doubt the Lord would have honored Nephi's request. You see, the Lord knew that Nephi could make tools, and it is seldom that the Lord will do something for us that we can do for ourselves."
So, life is kind of all about "going through." That's where we'll grow and learn what we can and need to become and that is why we're here - to become something more. Neat!
It seems like every other article, blog, scripture, and talk I've read lately says something about the importance and necessity of going THROUGH something. Each of these experiences is for our learning and progress and ultimate happiness, but they are often the very things that we pray away and just want to be over!
Someone pointed out this blog post. I love this child's question and the discussion that follows and what it got me thinking about - Why didn't the angel just take him out?
While preparing a Sunday School lesson about agency I was searching through some of Elder Bednar's talks about acting and not being acted upon. I came upon a few great thoughts:
Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease (April 2014)
The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality (April 2012)
"Nephi is an example of one who knew, understood, and relied upon the enabling power of the Savior. Recall that the sons of Lehi had returned to Jerusalem to enlist Ishmael and his household in their cause. Laman and others in the party traveling with Nephi from Jerusalem back to the wilderness rebelled, and Nephi exhorted his brethren to have faith in the Lord. It was at this point in their journey that Nephi’s brothers bound him with cords and planned his destruction. Please note Nephi’s prayer: “O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bandswith which I am bound” (1 Nephi 7:17; emphasis added).
Do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? “Please get me out of this mess NOW!” It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And I believe he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew, understood, and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement.
I do not think the bands with which Nephi was bound just magically fell from his hands and wrists. Rather, I suspect he was blessed with both persistence and personal strength beyond his natural capacity, that he then “in the strength of the Lord” (Mosiah 9:17) worked and twisted and tugged on the cords, and ultimately and literally was enabled to break the bands.
The implication of this episode for each of us is straightforward. As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14)."
Then Elder Bednar discusses Mosiah 24:14-15 and Alma's experience when his people are being persecuted by Amulon.
"What was changed in this episode? It was not the burden that changed; the challenges and difficulties of persecution were not immediately removed from the people. But Alma and his followers were strengthened, and their increased capacity and strength made the burdens they bore lighter. These good people were empowered through the Atonement to act as agents and impact their circumstances. And “in the strength of the Lord” Alma and his people were then directed to safety in the land of Zarahemla."
In the Strength of the Lord (October 2001)
These thoughts remind me that life is all about what we're becoming. If life were easy and happy all the time we wouldn't grow. This ties right into the another Sunday School lesson (The Fall of Adam and Eve and the need for opposition). I also love this quote President Faust shared in October 2004: "Dr. Arthur Wentworth Hewitt suggested some reasons why the good suffer as well as the wicked: “First: I don’t know. Second: We may not be as innocent as we think. Third: … I believe it is because He loves us so much more than He loves our happiness. How so? Well, if on a basis of strict personal return here and now, all the good were always happy and all the bad suffered disaster (instead of often quite the reverse), this would be the most subtle damnation of character imaginable.”"
Relatedly, Brigham Young taught, "Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves."
And Elder L. Tom Perry said, "I have sometimes wondered what would have happened if Nephi has asked the Lord for tools instead of a place to find ore to make the tools. I doubt the Lord would have honored Nephi's request. You see, the Lord knew that Nephi could make tools, and it is seldom that the Lord will do something for us that we can do for ourselves."
So, life is kind of all about "going through." That's where we'll grow and learn what we can and need to become and that is why we're here - to become something more. Neat!
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