I have been so excited for this day. Today we finally get to put our Christmas Tree and decorations up! We have the Nativity Scenes, Christmas stockings, figurines, books etc. We also have a festive scent to melt, so we can even smell Christmas in the air.
Then there are all the gifts we've been slowly accumulating these past few months. We're not completely done yet, but we're getting there.
We've even made Christmas Eve and Christmas day plans with family. All is coming together.
Boy, this Christmas preparation can be all-consuming!
I recall on the mission, thinking how ironic it was during the weeks prior to Christmas, to tract street after street, only to be told that they were too busy preparing for Christmas to have us come in.
Gratefully, today I was in Matthew 26. And was reminded of where my thoughts most especially need to be during this Christmas season.
I read of the anointing of Jesus. The reverence that that woman must have shown as she poured the 'precious ointment' on His head.
I read of the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Peters denials. I pondered if I too would have denied Him. Do I deny Him? Do I sell Him? This chapter is very humbling.
And then the Atonement. The great sacrifice Christ suffered for each one of us. There is little in this account of what the Atonement was, and I'm finding it hard to explain it myself, but I'll find some scriptures elsewhere that may help.
Luke 22:41-44, Alma 7:11-12, Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-18
What I can share though, is what it has meant, and continues to mean for me.
All that is good in my life comes because of Jesus' great sacrifice for me. The peace in my soul is because of repentance. The spirit in our home because of His promises. The joy in my life because of His mercy. The richness of love. The hope of healing. The goodness of God. All that I prize in my life is because Christ suffered for my sins. And yours too! I am so unworthy, of myself, of these blessings. So unworthy. Yet, life is so good.
I testify of Jesus. That He is our Saviour. And that He lives. His Kingdom is already established upon this earth, and His gospel, in all it's truth and light, is here in it's fulness! He will come again, and I thrill for that day! I commend Him to you. Despite all that is bad in this world, there is so much good. So much joy to be had. And it is only through Him.
I hope we can all do better to remember Jesus Christ (and all He means in our lives) this season, and always.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Fruits
Matt 21:18-19
'Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.'
I love how Christ teaches us how to live, in everything He did. Maybe there are more teaching opportunities/moments in my day, as a mother, than I am presently seeing?
As I read about the Fig tree, I pondered whether I too am lacking in fulfilling the purposes the Lord intends for me. Would I too be condemned to wither?
Then in vs 43 it says:
'Therefore Say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.'
Would my work (what I've been foreordained to do) then be given to another?
With this self-evaluation, I thought of all the activities that take up my time. Are they building 'my' kingdom? - my glory, wealth, pleasures? or His? Sometimes it can get hard to decipher.
It reminded me of a talk given by Elder David A. Bednar this last General Conference. In it he quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith, speaking to President Brigham Young.
'Tell the people to be humble and faithful and [be] sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach [you what] to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom...'
About a week ago, I was reading a talk given by President Henry B. Eyring, also in this past General Conference. One part that really hit home was in his final words. He said:
'You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then go and do whatever he asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every Sermon, song and prayer in this conference, you will find it. And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you.'
I wanted to be trustworthy of Him. I thought of some of the things I have been prompted to do, that I hadn't done yet, and resolved to do them that very day. One was to write a note of gratitude to Brent (something that was spoken of in church the previous day). I wrote the note, and left it on the side table of our bed. Another one, was to visit a Care Centre for the elderly with Eden and Mercedes. This is totally out of my comfort zone, but knowing it was an impression from the Spirit, it gave me that extra courage to do it. And we did. And it was wonderful. And we're going to make it a regular thing.
That night happened to end very stressful for me,and as usual, I ended up taking it out on Brent. We went about putting the girls down, and getting ready for the next day, when I got on the phone with family from Australia. Brent and I never got to resolve our frustrations together, and by the end of the phone call he had long gone to sleep. I felt so awful that I hadn't apologised to him, and wanted him to know that I love him more than the way I was treating him. I was super grateful when I went into our room, that he had fallen asleep with the note I had written earlier that morning opened and still in his hand.
I know these are only small experiences. But they have strengthened my faith in the guidance we are given to build His Kingdom. To bear the fruits he intends of us. Even in these very small deeds we are prompted to do.
'Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.'
I love how Christ teaches us how to live, in everything He did. Maybe there are more teaching opportunities/moments in my day, as a mother, than I am presently seeing?
As I read about the Fig tree, I pondered whether I too am lacking in fulfilling the purposes the Lord intends for me. Would I too be condemned to wither?
Then in vs 43 it says:
'Therefore Say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.'
Would my work (what I've been foreordained to do) then be given to another?
With this self-evaluation, I thought of all the activities that take up my time. Are they building 'my' kingdom? - my glory, wealth, pleasures? or His? Sometimes it can get hard to decipher.
It reminded me of a talk given by Elder David A. Bednar this last General Conference. In it he quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith, speaking to President Brigham Young.
'Tell the people to be humble and faithful and [be] sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach [you what] to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom...'
About a week ago, I was reading a talk given by President Henry B. Eyring, also in this past General Conference. One part that really hit home was in his final words. He said:
'You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then go and do whatever he asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every Sermon, song and prayer in this conference, you will find it. And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you.'
I wanted to be trustworthy of Him. I thought of some of the things I have been prompted to do, that I hadn't done yet, and resolved to do them that very day. One was to write a note of gratitude to Brent (something that was spoken of in church the previous day). I wrote the note, and left it on the side table of our bed. Another one, was to visit a Care Centre for the elderly with Eden and Mercedes. This is totally out of my comfort zone, but knowing it was an impression from the Spirit, it gave me that extra courage to do it. And we did. And it was wonderful. And we're going to make it a regular thing.
That night happened to end very stressful for me,and as usual, I ended up taking it out on Brent. We went about putting the girls down, and getting ready for the next day, when I got on the phone with family from Australia. Brent and I never got to resolve our frustrations together, and by the end of the phone call he had long gone to sleep. I felt so awful that I hadn't apologised to him, and wanted him to know that I love him more than the way I was treating him. I was super grateful when I went into our room, that he had fallen asleep with the note I had written earlier that morning opened and still in his hand.
I know these are only small experiences. But they have strengthened my faith in the guidance we are given to build His Kingdom. To bear the fruits he intends of us. Even in these very small deeds we are prompted to do.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Better Way
I'm in the New Testament now, and have also restarted The Book of Mormon. Reading both books together, along with the words or our holy prophets today, highlights in my mind how omnipresent, yet personal Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and their great work are.
Today I was in Matt 11.
'Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light'. (vs 28-30)
A lot of what Heavenly Father asks of us, His Commandments, sometimes seem hard. They might come across as not much fun at all, quite boring. Outdated. Too much work. Yet, it has been my experience, that the more I follow His commandments, the more REAL fun, and joy I have!
I think of the mission. Hard - yes. Giving 18 months of my life, 24/7 to the Lord in His service doesn't sound, and to be honest- wasn't always 'fun'. But I cannot think of a time in my life, when I've felt as much constant peace and true JOY! If there is one thing that the world cannot offer, that is peace!
I think of marriage. It's tragic to think that marriage is so degraded and optional in commonplace society now. Yes it is hard at times. But being one with someone, in daily life, as well as purpose, ...I'm not sure how do describe it... nothing else comes close to that feeling!
I think of having Children. Yes, it is hard, and the sacrifice - MONUMENTAL! But life is SO much more fun and meaningful with them. Our marriage is better! Life is better!
So, what this scripture says to me is that taking Christs 'yoke' (work, commandments...) upon us will be 'work', but the 'rest unto your souls' that He promises - 'peace of mind and heart' , joy that the world cannot offer- is worth the sacrifice.
Don't take my word for it though. Find out for yourself!
Today I was in Matt 11.
'Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light'. (vs 28-30)
A lot of what Heavenly Father asks of us, His Commandments, sometimes seem hard. They might come across as not much fun at all, quite boring. Outdated. Too much work. Yet, it has been my experience, that the more I follow His commandments, the more REAL fun, and joy I have!
I think of the mission. Hard - yes. Giving 18 months of my life, 24/7 to the Lord in His service doesn't sound, and to be honest- wasn't always 'fun'. But I cannot think of a time in my life, when I've felt as much constant peace and true JOY! If there is one thing that the world cannot offer, that is peace!
I think of marriage. It's tragic to think that marriage is so degraded and optional in commonplace society now. Yes it is hard at times. But being one with someone, in daily life, as well as purpose, ...I'm not sure how do describe it... nothing else comes close to that feeling!
I think of having Children. Yes, it is hard, and the sacrifice - MONUMENTAL! But life is SO much more fun and meaningful with them. Our marriage is better! Life is better!
So, what this scripture says to me is that taking Christs 'yoke' (work, commandments...) upon us will be 'work', but the 'rest unto your souls' that He promises - 'peace of mind and heart' , joy that the world cannot offer- is worth the sacrifice.
Don't take my word for it though. Find out for yourself!
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