Daily Tests

I don't mean for this to be a silly post, the lesson I learned from it has really hit deep into my heart and I am hoping to take this into my daily life and just flat out be a better person. It's just that whenever I hear a grocery store story, they are usually filled with either humiliation and/or humor. I have a grocery store story, but it isn't funny and although I could take a cynical approach, my heart instead has been opened to what I could learn from it.

I usually avoid the grocery store on Saturdays like the plague. It is not a pleasant place to be, and I usually prefer to stay away from large crowds (number one reason I am not a big fan of Disneyland). This past Saturday I needed a few items and had to go to the store just before noon, as did many other people.

As I hurried through the store, every where I looked, everyone else was rushing around like me. So, I slowed down a bit, I only needed a few items and I figured it would be better for me to calmly make my way from one item to the next. I had to manuever through some areas filled with stopped carts and I had to cross through the higher traffic areas to get to the next aisle for my list.

Every turn, every move every single thing that happened at the store that day brought me face to face with very agressive, rushed, and just flat out impatient and mean shoppers. I did not want to be one of them, so right then I put a smile on my face and kept moving calmly through the store. As I took to fulfilling some of the physical needs of my family, I decided I better keep my own spiritual needs in mind as well.

I made sure that I would keep a smile on my face. As I went to get some soup, there was a cart parked right in the way of the soup I needed and the "owner" of the cart was halfway down the aisle. I didn't get mad, I just gently slid it over a bit, took my soup and when the "owner" came over to her cart, obviously embarrassed for having left it someone's way I was able to reassure her it was absolutely no big deal at all. We smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries and I was on my way again.

I guess that I learned during this shopping trip that we need to learn to follow the example of our Savior and treat others the way He would in the same situation. And we need to do this in our everyday lives.

We are being met with little tests and challenges often, and usually we won't even think of it as being such. If we can learn to treat our fellow man with kindness and love, even when we are in a hurry and even when they are being unkind toward us and even when we don't feel like it, and on and on, then we are moving in the direction of our Savior. And that is where I want to be.

So, did I pass this test? Not really. I kept a smile on my face for everyone, and had a very kind and pleasant interaction with a fellow shopper. But I was still irritated and bothered by so many others. I don't think Jesus would have had those feelings. I have a long way to go, but I am so glad to at least see where improvement can be made. And I am so eager to do better and be a better person.

I just might even go to the grocery store this next Saturday and see how I am doing.

Thank You Bob

Every morning I listen to the same radio program while I am taking the kids to school. I have to admit I don't really care for the host most of the time (mostly because of what he says about teachers), but I still listen because every once in a while he will share a little something that ends up being very helpful and inspiring to me.

I just had one of those mornings.

I have been very saddened by the reaction of some people on a vote which happened recently. The vote was to protect the nature of marriage and Christians from all walks of life worked very hard to keep the laws in their state the way they wanted. Their proposition passed and their hard work paid off. And as much as I believe there is an eternal reward for their work, they were immediately met with persecution.

They are being persecuted for standing up for what they believe in. It is so sad to see, but it is nothing new, this has been going on since man has been on the earth.

My sadness has also left me pondering, realizing someday I am going to need to be the one to stand up for things like this. My heart is saddened knowing that people will call me a hateful person for standing up for this, when my heart is full of love. But that love goes to my God first and then to man. I have no hatred for my fellow beings, but someday it will be said that I do. That makes my heart ache.

So, thank you Bob, for at least reminding me that even though my heart will be troubled by these things, there is a purpose for standing up for the things of God. And thank you for reminding us all of these scriptures that we have read and heard so many times. How applicable they are to this present situation.

Matthew 5: 10-12

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

There is an eternal happiness and peace that will see me through these troubling times. And eventually (perhaps not it in this life, but in the life to come) my brothers and sisters on this earth that might revile against me, will then know that I had nothing but love in my heart.

And in my heart is a constant prayer for those facing this presently, may peace comfort your soul for what you have done and the efforts you have made. My heart and prayers are with you all.

Jesus is the Light of the Earth

I had one of those moments where there is some enlightening today, it's something I have never really put much thought into, but today it all came together in my heart.

I have always remembered the fact that rainbows were basically a gift from out Heavenly Father as a reminder of the covenant He has made that the Earth will never be completely flooded again, destroying all flesh. The rainbow was presented to Noah and explained that when the clouds came, the rainbow would appear and we could all be assured that we were not to be destroyed.

What hit me today was that rainbows are the result of light hitting water. When light comes in contact with water, a prism of all the colors is projected. You cannot have a rainbow without light. And this is what hit me:

John 8: 12 teaches the following "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Christ is the light of the world, He is the light that shines in our darkness and brightens the way for us. He is also the light that creates all the beautiful colors in the world. None of this would be without our Savior.

The peace that we feel in our hearts after a "storm" in our lives comes from Christ.

The beautiful experiences that can take place in the midst of turmoil come from our Savior.

The rainbow is only possible in the presence of light. And just as the rainbow was given to us to bring peace to our souls, our Savior has been given to us for the same purpose, to bring peace. The peace He brings is that of love and hope, knowing that we are Children of God and that through the atonement of Christ, we can return to live with our Father in Heaven someday. I cannot think of a greater peace I have in my life than that one statement.

So, whenever I see a rainbow from now on, I will not only remember the covenant Heavenly Father has made with His children, but I will see that His Son, our Savior, is the source of that peace on our earth.

Heavenly Father Prepares Us

I have loved being in Primary.

From the moment I started, I was filled with a huge love and enthusiasm for the children I was serving. I thought of them all constantly. I tried my best to do whatever I could to help them really learn that they are all Children of God.

Being released shouldn't have been so easy.

I loved being in Primary. I loved getting up in front of them and teaching a lesson. I loved taking every chance I could to tell them all how much I loved them. I loved standing at the door each Sunday as they were coming in and giving them a little pat on the back or caring nudge as they came in. I loved helping them find their classes when they weren't sure where to go. I loved every single hug I received from those little sweeties. I loved their smiles, their laughs and their funny responses to questions. I loved serving with some awesome women, we had a friendship and cohesiveness that was just divine. I loved all of the fun Primary teachers we were able to work with. I loved the Primary music - there is nothing in the world like it. I loved the confidence the Bishop had in me when I went to him with questions or needs, I loved his kindness and reassurance. I loved my sweet husband giving me grief over my tendancy to "go all out" - he kept me in line! I loved every single thing about being in Primary (well - except for one, but I won't go into that). I loved being in Primary.

Being released wasn't supposed to happen so soon.

So, when the call came for us to meet with the Stake President, I knew in my heart that change was coming. During the few days we had before the meeting, my spirit kept telling me that it was my time to move on from Primary.

I didn't like what I heard inside, but I knew it was so.

As we sat down with the Stake President, I was specifically told that I would need to be released in order for my husband to serve where he was needed at this time. And my heart was ready, it had been prepared. I was able to consent.

I was given the opportunity to stay in for a few more weeks, until our Sacrament Meeting Program, and I relished those days. I sat back and looked at each of those children and gave little hugs wherever I could.

When the program was over and the following Sunday arrived, I knew it was my last. I thought I would be too sad to even attend to my duties that day. But, I had been prepared and I was able to do everything I needed. As we sat in Sacrament Meeting, and that sneaky Bishop made sure my husband was conducting that day, I was filled was happiness and reassurance that my offering had been acceptable and that those who would take over now were just what the children needed.

Much to my surprise, there were no tears.

I was still very sad to go, but Heavenly Father prepared me.

And for once, I listened.