Last week, a lady in our church died unexpectedly. It shook all those who knew her and cared about her. It reminded me that life is fragile and that we need to make the most of every moment.
It also was a poignant reminder to act on good impulses when I have them. The week before her death, I thought, "You need to do something for Lillian this week." (For several months, I had been trying to reach out to her, to send her a card or take her a small gift every week.) That week, I failed to follow through on that impulse. I excused myself by saying, "There's time. You can do it next week."
The sad truth was there wasn't time, there wasn't a "next week" for Lillian. Nor was there a next week for me to act on that impulse. I fear that regret will stay with me for a long time. And perhaps that is good--if it serves as a reminder not to allow another urging to do something nice for someone pass by.
This I know for sure: life doesn't always give second chances. Seize the opportunity to make a difference when you can.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Day 116, April 29
Jesus gave many beautiful parables, lessons to teach us in simple and direct ways. My favorite parable has always been that of the talents. We all know it: the master gave three servants, one, two, and five talents respectively. The servants receiving two and five talents doubled their talents. The master praised them. However, the servant receiving one talent hid his away, earning his master's reprimand.
I wonder how much I am like that unprofitable servant. Do I hide my talent away, afraid to take it out for fear of shining a light on what I perceive as my feeble efforts? How can I ask the Lord to bless me, to bless that talent if I am afraid of using it?
I can't.
The Lord expects me, expects all of us, to use our talents in whatever way we can. What we may consider an unremarkable skill or trait may, in fact, be a praiseworthy talent. Do you have a knack for building up others with honest praise? Use that and watch as others bloom as they are around you. Do you have a way of noticing when another person is hurting and set about to help him or her feel better? Use it.
Don't be afraid of shining a light on your talents. The world, and, more importantly, the Lord, have need of them.
This I know for sure: talents blossom when taken out in the sun.
I wonder how much I am like that unprofitable servant. Do I hide my talent away, afraid to take it out for fear of shining a light on what I perceive as my feeble efforts? How can I ask the Lord to bless me, to bless that talent if I am afraid of using it?
I can't.
The Lord expects me, expects all of us, to use our talents in whatever way we can. What we may consider an unremarkable skill or trait may, in fact, be a praiseworthy talent. Do you have a knack for building up others with honest praise? Use that and watch as others bloom as they are around you. Do you have a way of noticing when another person is hurting and set about to help him or her feel better? Use it.
Don't be afraid of shining a light on your talents. The world, and, more importantly, the Lord, have need of them.
This I know for sure: talents blossom when taken out in the sun.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Day 115, April 28
Everyday do something that you fear.--Eleanor Roosevelt
If you're like me, you put off doing the things that you fear. A big one for me: for a year, I put off having the surgery I knew I needed. I put it off because I was afraid. During that time, I was in pain, sometimes agony, and still I put it off. Out of fear.
What else have I put off?
In my writing, I put off doing the hard work because I'm afraid of failing. I put off contacting people who might be able to help me with my career. I put off submitting a book because it will most likely be rejected.
In my personal life, I put off working on relationships that needed help. I put off talking about hard stuff that needed to be talked about. All out of fear.
This I know for sure: putting off things out of fear doesn't make them--or the fear--go away. It just prolongs it.
If you're like me, you put off doing the things that you fear. A big one for me: for a year, I put off having the surgery I knew I needed. I put it off because I was afraid. During that time, I was in pain, sometimes agony, and still I put it off. Out of fear.
What else have I put off?
In my writing, I put off doing the hard work because I'm afraid of failing. I put off contacting people who might be able to help me with my career. I put off submitting a book because it will most likely be rejected.
In my personal life, I put off working on relationships that needed help. I put off talking about hard stuff that needed to be talked about. All out of fear.
This I know for sure: putting off things out of fear doesn't make them--or the fear--go away. It just prolongs it.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Day 114, April 27
Today is our son Robert's 36th birthday. Rob is a son to make any parent proud. He served a mission for our church. He graduated from college and graduate school--with honors. More, he acts honorably.
Never have I been more proud of Rob than I have this past year. His wife of almost twelve years decided she did not want to be a wife, a mother, a member of the church. So she left. All of them.
Larry and I flew to Michigan to be with him and his sweet boys, who were six and three at the time. Though devastated, Rob stepped up and said he was going to take care of his boys and stay close to the Lord. He has done both. He told me, "I'm choosing happiness."
He has not only survived; he has thrived. In the process of doing the right thing, the honorable thing, he met a beautiful young woman In less than two months, Rob and his Jenny will be sealed in a sacred temple.
This I know for sure: Rob is happy because he chose it, because he chose family, because he chose the Lord.
Never have I been more proud of Rob than I have this past year. His wife of almost twelve years decided she did not want to be a wife, a mother, a member of the church. So she left. All of them.
Larry and I flew to Michigan to be with him and his sweet boys, who were six and three at the time. Though devastated, Rob stepped up and said he was going to take care of his boys and stay close to the Lord. He has done both. He told me, "I'm choosing happiness."
He has not only survived; he has thrived. In the process of doing the right thing, the honorable thing, he met a beautiful young woman In less than two months, Rob and his Jenny will be sealed in a sacred temple.
This I know for sure: Rob is happy because he chose it, because he chose family, because he chose the Lord.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Day 113, April 26
Yesterday, I wrote about a church lesson that counseled about the need for patinece, with myself and others The Savior stands as the perfect example in patience, as He does with everything. He accepts me as I am today. He doesn't berate me when I can't do everything I want to do. I picture Him cheering me on, indeed, cheering all of us on as we strive to do better, to be better.
It started me thinking that we all need cheerleaders in our lives. This is not a new theme for me. Perhaps because I observe, too freequently, what happens when individuals lack cheerleaders.
I try to be a cheerleader. For my husband. My children. My grandchildren. My frieinds. Too often, though, I fall short. I point out flaws and shortcomings, rather than strengths and talents. It matters not that I try to couch these words in praise for they still hurt.
This I know for sure: we all need cheerleaders in our lives. In this, as in all things, we have only to look for the Savior as our example.
It started me thinking that we all need cheerleaders in our lives. This is not a new theme for me. Perhaps because I observe, too freequently, what happens when individuals lack cheerleaders.
I try to be a cheerleader. For my husband. My children. My grandchildren. My frieinds. Too often, though, I fall short. I point out flaws and shortcomings, rather than strengths and talents. It matters not that I try to couch these words in praise for they still hurt.
This I know for sure: we all need cheerleaders in our lives. In this, as in all things, we have only to look for the Savior as our example.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Day 132, April 25
(A note: Blogger has changed its look and format. I am trying to figure it out. If posts occur on the wrong day, please forgive me. What can I say? I'm technologically challenged!)
A lesson at church on Sunday reminded women to be patient with themselves. I appreciated this counsel as I struggle with patience, both with myself and with others.
A recent experience at physical therapy brought home the need for patience, especially with myself. The therapist has had me using a weight machine, lifting and pushing increasing amounts of weight with my legs. I had steadily progressed from 60 to 80 to 100 pounds and was feeling pretty good about it. On that day, I had resolved to reach 120 pounds.
I managed two feeble repetitions and had to admit that I couldn't do any more My kind therapist said not to push myself and took the weight back to 100 pounds. Still, I was disappointed in myself, in what I perceived as my lack of progress. Mentally, I castigated myself, using words I would never use to a family member or friend. Why couldn't I accept that I am still recovering from a major operation and that it will take a while to get to where I want to be in terms of strength and endurance?
This I know for sure: patience is a gift from the Father; if I want to receive it and to give it, I need to find it for myself first.
A lesson at church on Sunday reminded women to be patient with themselves. I appreciated this counsel as I struggle with patience, both with myself and with others.
A recent experience at physical therapy brought home the need for patience, especially with myself. The therapist has had me using a weight machine, lifting and pushing increasing amounts of weight with my legs. I had steadily progressed from 60 to 80 to 100 pounds and was feeling pretty good about it. On that day, I had resolved to reach 120 pounds.
I managed two feeble repetitions and had to admit that I couldn't do any more My kind therapist said not to push myself and took the weight back to 100 pounds. Still, I was disappointed in myself, in what I perceived as my lack of progress. Mentally, I castigated myself, using words I would never use to a family member or friend. Why couldn't I accept that I am still recovering from a major operation and that it will take a while to get to where I want to be in terms of strength and endurance?
This I know for sure: patience is a gift from the Father; if I want to receive it and to give it, I need to find it for myself first.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Day 131, April 24
Today is one of those occasions that both surprise and flumox me. It is Larry's and my 39th anniversary.
During those 39 years, we have weathered pregnancies, basement floods, deaths of parents and other family members, and a host of other things. We have also enjoyed the births of five children and the births of four grandchildren.
Quite frankly, there were times when it didn't look like we would make it. When the hurts and stresses of everyday living threaten to overwhelm us and make us forget our love for each other.
Somehow we weathered those as well. Partly because of the commitment we made in the Salt Lake Temple those many years ago. Partly because we knew no one else would have us. Partly because of sheer stubbornness.
This I know for sure: marriage is hard work that never goes away, but it's worth it.
During those 39 years, we have weathered pregnancies, basement floods, deaths of parents and other family members, and a host of other things. We have also enjoyed the births of five children and the births of four grandchildren.
Quite frankly, there were times when it didn't look like we would make it. When the hurts and stresses of everyday living threaten to overwhelm us and make us forget our love for each other.
Somehow we weathered those as well. Partly because of the commitment we made in the Salt Lake Temple those many years ago. Partly because we knew no one else would have us. Partly because of sheer stubbornness.
This I know for sure: marriage is hard work that never goes away, but it's worth it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)