Words

In my last post I made a mistake. I said words are temporal. Really, the problem is that words are not temporal. Once they have been said and heard, they can not be taken back. Words are permanent. It is the feelings behind those words that are temporal. Things can be said out of hurt, out of anger, or frustration...Words are used to express what we feel, think, imagine, experience.

The lesson I have repeatedly learned lately is that we should only speak worlds of love, comfort, kindness, gratitude, cheer, we should build others up... you know the saying, we have all heard it: "If you cant say anything nice...don't say anything at all." I am beginning to believe parents don't just say this to make life difficult or lay on a guilt trip. Whoever started this phrase experienced for themselves consequences, and it is quite possible they were trying to save us from self-inflicted future grief.

Words can crucify a person, yet give another hope. They can torment forever or give comfort in moments where we feel alone or in deep despair. Words can be recalled through experiences, moments, sometimes they just come to mind. It is said that actions speak louder than words. I believe this whole heartily, but I do believe this doesn't take the cut out of words, or the healing that comes from words. Especially when delivered by the right or wrong person.

With all of this said, realize there are moments in our pasts that we will regret, and have to deal with sometime. And when you are dealing with other peoples wills, sometimes we have to do all we can to make amends. Once we have done all we can, we need to turn it over to the Lord and let Him carry the burden. He knows how to mold us as individuals and he will help the other side understand... someday. And if He doesn't right away it is okay because He will.

With that said, I am learning we need to be sincere and kind to others. When we aren't feeling it, there is no problem with walking away. It is that simple. Don't give them the opportunity to say something they will later regret. If they follow you and taunt you remember you have a big brother on your side and really, if we are not needing His forgiveness at the moment, He can and will help us forgive the other person. That way our pack can be light weight rather than the heavy with the overbearing weight that comes from holding onto and embracing anger, hate, and animosity. He will replace those feelings with peace, love, comfort and at times even understanding.

His Grace is Sufficient...

Our Relief Society had a lesson on this talk today. I missed it because I was teaching a class of my own. I have to say though that I have learned a lot just from listening to it. I hope when you have a minute or two (actually a little over a half hour) that you will take a moment and listen to this. 

Brad Wilcox does and awesome job talking about what GRACE really is.

Love it!

Another Lesson on the Atonement

The past couple of weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions for me. No I am not pregnant or PMSing, though I would have preferred that for an excuse. Believe me.

As a parent I feel like I have done all that I can to protect my family from the storms that rage outside our home. It was made apparent to me that I was unsuccessful in one point. I experienced anger, rage, tears, feelings of inadequacy as a parent, I questioned if my life was worth living, because there is surely someone out there that would have done better than me.

While all of these emotions were fresh I was offered a blessing. In the blessing I was assured I was where the Lord would have me, and that He was aware of the situation. I was told that there would be divine justice, and then given other words of comfort.

When the blessing closed I did feel comforted, but still felt many intense feelings that I felt were mine to be felt. A couple of days later as I read my scriptures I was reading where Alma the younger was teaching his rebellious son(who later became an amazing missionary) about the plan of salvation. I was reading where the Lord has consequences assigned to our good and bad deeds, and they are irrevocable. In finishing this Alma told his son not to let that worry him, but rather his sins. He needed to let his sins bring him to humility and unto repentance.

While reading that chapter I realized that the Lord will bless my family. If I stay on coarse and continue to raise my children in that coarse. Where I lack, the Lord will take the slack.

Again today as I was reading about the Nephites being attacked by the Lamanites, and how Captain Moroni was able to protect the people by turning to the living prophet for counsel, I realized something more. The Lord has provided me with all of the tools to rise above the crap the world flings at me. If I utilize these tools not only will I be able to protect myself, but I will be more able to protect my family.

So what are the tools that I speak of? First personal prayer and scripture study. Second I am blessed to live in a day with living prophets upon the earth. If I listen to and study their words I will receive direction and inspiration for my family. Third we have been counseled to have family prayer, scripture study and family home evening. As I make time for these things and apply them it does not reassure that we won't be "attacked". However it will help us to be prepared and give us the strength to stand ground during strong storms.

Through all of this I have found more comfort. I have felt the love the Savior has for me and my family. And while I still have my inadequacies and battles to fight there is comfort in knowing that I have the Savior on my side. That He loves me and wants to help me. That He has felt the things I feel and is willing to help me not only carry my burdens, for they are not mine alone to bear, but He is willing to take them.
I am so thankful for the Savior and His sacrifice. I know that He lives. I am so thankful for the completeness of the Plan of Salvation. I know that I am blessed to live in this day and age. I am grateful to participate in the blessing that come with this. In Christ's name. Amen.

Money

Money. Who wants it? Everyone, it seems like no matter how much we have though it never seems to be enough. As I was pondering about this topic this morning, I thought "You can buy anything with money." But then I began to think on that and realized what an untruth that is.

Here are things I thought of you can not buy with money:

Another's trust. It can't be purchased with money, it can only be gained through one's actions and it is fragile.

Another's love. True love, pure love is not purchased with money. It is purchased with serving, being there when others leave, simply being a stable and trusted being. I realize that affection can be purchased, but as easily as it is purchased, it is thrown away. That is where individuals begin to lose sight of their true self worth...one of Satan's greatest tools.

Character. This is once again something built up over periods of time, and can easily be destroyed.

With money you can buy armies to destroy, even people. However money does not take away others identities with God. It can not buy you into heaven. It can not buy true happiness, only temporal pleasure. Money can not change any truth. These are just a few of my thoughts this morning.