Sunday Inspirations March 7, 2010

"A number of years ago, a one-inch article in my local newspaper caught my attention, and I have remembered it ever since: 'Four people were killed and seven workers were rescued after clinging for more than an hour to the underside of a 125-foot-high [38-m] bridge in St. Catharines, Ontario, [Canada,] after the scaffolding they were working on collapsed' ("News Capsules," Deseret News, June 9, 1993, A2).

"I was, and I continue to be, fascinated by this brief story. Shortly after reading this account, I called a family friend who lived in St. Catharines. She explained that the workers had been painting the Garden City Skyway bridge for about a year and were two weeks short of completing the project when the accident happened. After the accident, officials were asked why these men did not have any safety equipment. The answer was simple: they had the equipment; they just chose not to wear it" (Ann M. Dibb, "Hold On," Ensign, Nov 2009, 79-81).

The workers who survived clung to a one-inch bit of steel while standing on about eight inches for a little over an hour before rescue workers could get them down. Though we may not find ourselves in a similar life-and-death situation, many of the temptations and situations we face today are every bit as much a threat to our eternal lives. Ofttimes we may ourselves feel as though we've found ourselves in a place where our spiritual half feels as though it is clinging for dear life to an unforgiving bit of steel.

Sister Dibb of the General Young Women's presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints tells us, "It is important to note, however, that in the scriptures there are very few stories of individuals who lived in blissful happiness and experience no opposition. We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness."

She relates a quote given by President Thomas S. Monson of the LDS Church: "Remember that you are entitled to our [Heavenly] Father's blessings in this work. He did not call you to your privileged post to walk alone, without guidance, trusting to luck. On the contrary, He knows your skill, He realizes your devotion, and He will convert your supposed inadequacies to recognized strengths. He has promised: 'I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about to bear you up'" ("Sugar Beets and the Worth of a Soul," Ensign, July 2009, 5-6).

The workers on the bridge were given their very own sets of safety equipment. Don't you think our Heavenly Father would do the same for us? Sister Dibb states: "He has given us personal prayer, the scriptures, living prophets and the Holy Ghost to guide us. At times, using this equipment may seem cumbersome, awkward, and horribly unfashionable. Its proper use requires our diligence, obedience, and persistence."

Living a more righteous life certainly does feel cumbersome at times. How much easier would it be to get through life without the sword of truth, the shield of faith, the helmet of hope and breastplate of righteousness. These are certainly not "fashionable." Think for a moment what might happen if we choose to take them off. We find ourselves unprotected against the stones of peer pressure, the arrows of sin, and the constant onslaught of temptations, sorrow and hurt.

Perhaps some of us have already taken off our safety equipment. Perhaps they now lie in a corner somewhere, gathering dust rather than being put to good use. This does not have to be the end of our choices. We can choose this day to repent, to gather up our prayers, our words of the prophets, our scriptures, and put back on our armour of God. We can choose to use the safety equipment our loving Heavenly Father gave us to help us make it back to Him.

What will you choose?

At My Funeral

I attended the funeral of a church member yesterday. I love attending funerals for one simple reason - you get to know the person more than you ever could have in real life.

When speaking of ourselves we tend to gravitate automatically towards the negative. We can't help looking back on our lives and seeing all the things we managed not to accomplish, the things where we went so wrong. As our own worst critics we cannot help seeing where we should have stepped up, could have done more, and might have made a difference.

The funny thing is we impact others more than we know. While we may want to criticize ourselves, there are so many others who are ready and willing to praise the person we were to them. Did that make sense? Perhaps a better way of putting it is, our perceptions of ourselves is far different than the perceptions of others.

After yesterday's funeral I couldn't help thinking about what people might say about me if I were to die tomorrow. At only 34 I haven't exactly lived a long life. Is there truly anything about me and the way I've lived my life that might be worthy of notice? If you were to ask me, not really. I'm nothing too special when compared to so many others I know. It's difficult for me to believe anyone outside of immediate family who might even attend.

Oh I know I'm loved. This really isn't a pity-party, nor a cry for others to tell me how awesome I am. It's just me pondering my life, and wondering if I've really lived in such a way to be satisfied with where I might leave it. Sister L left an extraordinary legacy here on earth. The things said of her touched more than just one heart. The amount of family alone who came to celebrate Sister L was a testament to the amazing woman she was. The words spoken of how she loved, served, and lived could not have born better witness to her love for the gospel of Christ.

And so I got to thinking about what others might say about me. Have I lived in such a way that those who know me know of my intense love for them, for the gospel, for my family? Has my testimony been obvious to those I have ever spoken with? Does my Heavenly Father look down upon me feeling pleased with what I've accomplished thus far?

The natural course of my thoughts took me one step further, and I began to think about the things I'd like people to say. This is when I came to the conclusion, if I want people to say certain things about me, it's time to start living my life in a way to make those things true. Perhaps this was a "wake-up" call of sorts to begin a few changes.

In any case, I'd invite you to take a few minutes to think about what you'd like to have said about you, and then make it possible!

Sunday Inspirations February 28, 2010

There is a scene in the movie Finding Faith in Christ that continually makes me pause. It is one of many depictions created of the life of Christ found in the New Testament.

Picture a man - aged, trembling, and covered in horrific sores. Those around this man, even a few of the apostles, scamper away in an effort to keep a good distance from the infection. They are frightened by the disease, and certainly we can understand why. Perhaps even this man understands, though it may pain him more than we know.

The Savior stops, turns, and sees the man crumple to his knees a fair distance back. Unlike everyone else in the area, He steps forward. A flicker of hope enters the man's eyes. How long, I wonder ever time I see this scene, has it been since someone approached him rather then run away?

All he wants is to be healed. Perhaps there is a family he yearns to see, yet has stayed away from for fear of infecting them. The desire for this healing is evident, even from a distance. Still he does not approach the Savior, but waits for Christ to come to him.

The Lord reaches out to place his hands on this precious child of God. For a moment the man is hidden from our view, but when we see him again the sores are gone. In wonder he feels his face, his hands, and tears fill his eyes. Oh what joy, what rapture fills his countenance! He is so overcome it is almost impossible to utter a sincere "thank you."

Throughout this movie we are given glimpses into the life, service, and ministry of our Savior. Many times we hear Him speak the words, "Be of good cheer," in quiet, loving tones. Time after time we see him offering words of comfort and love, of teaching and forgiveness. Most touching to me are the moments we witness those large, gentle hands in the act of healing...not just physical ailments, but those of the heart and soul as well. For those who would believe, this was a gift no mortal man could offer.

Near the end of the movie we see Thomas, the apostle, unable to comprehend the words of his friends. His Lord, his Master, resurrected? Impossible! It must be a trick. He struggles to believe...until before his own eyes the Savior appears: whole, beautiful, alive. Christ invites Thomas to feels the scars in His hands. More than this, Christ invites Thomas to feel the resurrected body of the Son of God. He is no illusion, no trick of the mind. There is substance to Him.

He is real.

Thomas then knew the Savior had returned triumphant, and Christ blesses him for believing in what he saw and felt. Ever the teacher, He invites us all to look a step further, perhaps knowing these words would one day ring out to those of us who would never have the chance to see Him with imperfect eyes nor touch Him with our mortal hands.

In John 20:29 we read: "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed."

I have not seen the Savior with my eyes. I have not touched Him with my hands, nor have I heard Him teach with my ears. This has not stopped me from believing, from exercising my faith, and from testifying of what the Spirit has witnessed to be true:

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAVIOR. HE LIVED, DIED, AND WAS RESURRECTED. BECAUSE I BELIEVE, ONE DAY I WILL SEE HIM!!! This is my testimony.

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Go Eagles!!!

It's true during my own high school years Skyline wasn't exactly my favorite. Okay so they were one of our bigger rivals. Over the years I've overcome my prejudice, and can now say I hope the Skyline Eagles girls basketball team takes state!!!

I'm a bit biased, of course, as our niece is on the team. In fact, I'm so biased now I found an awesome article in the Deseret News featuring an awful lot of our beloved Katie. So go take a read!

Teddy's Bear

We all love them, those cute, cuddly Teddy Bears. Well, at least those in our family do. I even have a few precious ones gifted to me by my sweatheart.

M had to do a report on a president this week, and we chose Theodore Roosevelt. Why? It's because of him we have "Teddy Bears." Okay, okay, so stuffed bears have been around for bazillions of years, but the name Teddy really did come from our 26th president.

President Roosevelt loved to hunt. On one hunting trip (bear hunting, that is) in Mississippi his group hadn't been able to find one bear. There were several other groups participating, and it had all become a bit of a competition. When most of the other hunting parties had managed to "bag" a bear, Teddy's group became a bit desperate.

They eventually found an old bear, and began to chase it until the bear finally tired. I won't go into what they did to this poor animal, but they ended up tying it to a willow tree before calling to the president to come in for the kill. Roosevelt took a long look at this creature, defeated, hurt, and frightened, and refused to kill it. He felt it to be most unsportsmanlike. He did realize, however, the only humane thing to do was to end it's life so it wouldn't continue to be in such pain. The animal was mercifully shot, and the story of Teddy and the bear began to spread far and wide.

A political cartoonist by the name of Clifford Berryman heard the story and immediately put together a drawing of Teddy refusing to shoot the bear. As the drawings continued the bear became smaller and cuddlier until it resembled a baby bear. One toymaker, Morris Mitchem, saw the cartoons and created a little bear. He then contacted the president to ask him for permission to use his nickname, Teddy, in connection with the bear. He sent the first one to the president.

Believe it or not, they were such a success and became such a craze ladies were seen to be carrying them everywhere. Awesome, don't you think???

The Evils of Scales

I had a fight with my scale on Sunday. It was trying to claim I had gained two pounds over the week before. I begged to differ. This rudeness was further compounded by learning my husband had lost a pound. Hmph.

Weight loss is such a roller-coaster ride. It may put you on cloud nine when you lose more than just a pound, or throw you body and soul into the depths of despair when you gain just one ounce. I suppose this is why I've never paid too much attention to my weight before. Even for a "larger" woman I've always been pretty healthy. Both my cholesterol and blood pressure are low, and if allowed to go at my own pace I can walk for miles. My heart is quite healthy. It's just my weight I have so many issues with.

The knowledge that muscle weighs more than fat has been my long time friend. Typically in the Spring when I begin a new exercise routine I tend to gain much weight in the beginning due to the impressive inclination of my body to create massive muscles. I have been accused more than once of having awesome Popeye calves. The joking truth, "I was built for work" has passed over my lips more than once.

This inclination toward building muscle has frequently kept me from charting my weight on a scale. In fact, our little household hasn't had a scale in it for many years. The need to change this arrangement came when hubby and I agreed to do a Biggest Loser challenge. Knowing we both have a love for food, we've not done too much changing there. For the most part there has simply been an increase in the amount of vegetables in our diets, as well as some portion control. No, most of our efforts have been put into exercise.

We've been rather bad at it lately. While having our daughter old enough to watch her siblings helps an awful lot, there is still the problem of finding time! Between helping three kids with homework, getting dinner made, getting hubby off to do bishop duties, having daughter in Young Women's, and Mr. B in karate, there are some weeks we're lucky to get out more than once for a jaunty walk around the neighborhood. Of course being here at home I'm able to find some time to do little things in the way of exercise, but folding horrendous amounts of laundry can only get your heart rate up so high.

So today I'm still mad at my scale. I won't talk to it until next week, and I'll see if it's ready to repent of it's evil ways and make me feel a smidge better about myself by claiming I lost those two horrific pounds. It better...

Sunday Inspirations February 14, 2010

Hello all! And might I add a hearty Happy Valentine's Day!

One of the most beautiful, loving, and complete acts of unselfish love was provided to us by our Savior. Many of you may have heard a story passed round through e-mails about a seminary teacher who wanted to bring home a better meaning of the Atonement. It had to do with donuts and push-ups. Sound familiar to anyone?

As I was singing with the nursery kids during Primary today, one of the counselors did a similar sharing time with the kids. I'll be changing the names of the boy in question, but I really wanted to share with you today's activity and how beautiful it was.

In Lisa's own words:

"I started out by asking the kids if they were familiar with the 3rd Article of Faith. They recited it to me and I wrote it on the board, emphasizing the word ATONEMENT. I then asked them if they knew what that meant. Only a few responded with some basic answers but not getting to the heart of what I wanted them to understand. So I then asked if I could have a volunteer.

Requirements: must have been baptized, be very strong, well liked, etc. I ended up choosing Jonathan. I asked the kids and him if they would all like a cookie. They're really yummy and I baked them just for each one of them. Of course, all were ready and willing to get one and eat it. I said that the only way they could have one was if Jonathan would be willing to do 10 jumping jacks for each person to be able to have a cookie. He said sure, and started.

We continued around the room. About 1/2 way through you could tell he was tiring, but didn't want to show it. I asked how he was doing at different points. At half way when I asked, Michael and Brian [two of his classmates] asked if they could do it instead. I said, no. He is doing this for each of you. He is the only one who can make it possible for you to have a cookie.

Jonathan continued and about 3/4 done he said he was getting a little tired - he looked more tired than he was letting on, I think. At this point the kids also started saying THANK YOU to him for the cookie realizing all that he was doing to be able to allow them a cookie. I had him do the jumping jacks for each person in the room, including teachers, the pianist, and [the visiting bishopric member].

When he was done he was definitely tired and ready to sit down. Once he was done, I asked everything if what Jonathan did was similar to something Christ did for us. THE ATONEMENT! We discussed how Christ chose to sacrifice for us when he went to Gethsemane to pray for each of us and when he bled from every pore on his body...all those little dots we have on our body. When we sweat, that's where it comes from. Imagine your sweat being blood. This is what Christ did for us. He was bleeding, feeling the pain of all our sins so we could repent and live with Heavenly Father again. Christ was the ONLY person who could do this for us. He provided the wonderfully sweet and delicious way to return to our Father again.

We discussed the story of Alma the Younger and how he was able to use the atonement in his life and how it must have felt for him to be free of all the sins once he repented. He was able to do this because Christ atoned for us. We need to remember all that Christ does for us and remember the paths that are available to us to repent and return to Him again.

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My thanks to Lisa for providing me with this today. She is, without a doubt, a remarkable woman! Thank you for the message, for the love, and for your friendship.