Just Sit and Relax

This morning I finished a book by President Hinckley. "Way to be"  he gives youth and adults some points that if we will apply into our lives, he promises us that we will be able to find happiness. The one point that I finished reading was Be Still. During that chapter he talked of how when his father was alive, he would take time to sit and be still. He told of how at his fathers home there was a rock wall just tall enough to sit on, that surrounded his home. President Hinckley said he would find his father often just sitting there thinking about the things of life. Because of it he was able to write and speak incredibly well. Just because he sat there and thought of the things that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Because of that it got me thinking of a hymn. Be Still My Soul, I love this hymn. If we will just sit there and think for just a moment. We can clear our minds of the things of the world. If we dont make time to slow down there will never be time. We all only have 24 hours in a day. We all have our daily chores, work, family, and down time. but if we will make a little time to spend thinking and praying to our Heavenly Father all the other things will work out.

I found a scripture in Psalms 37: 7-9
7Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

 9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
I know that as we think of the things of our lord, we will find those things that will help overcome our own problems without causing others to have to help us through them. 

Lighten your path.

The other day I read a story by President Gordon B. Hinckely. He told of a glorious day when his dad came home in 1916, with a brand new shiny black Model T Ford. He told of how magnificent it was compared to the old horse and buggy that he was accustomed to. Even though it did not run by today's standard of excellent, it was a new exciting thrill. However this new ride did not have a starter, like all cars today do. you had to crank it. He told of how quickly he learned that it was very important to do it properly. Otherwise the back pressure would cause the crank to bounce back and hit your hand. Once the car was running the only power that came from it was just enough to power a couple lights. It did this by way of the magneto. Which depending on the RPM's of the car would determine just how much power was put out. So when you would slow down the lights would go dim. And when you would get up and moving the lights shone bright and lightened the path. He then went on and said, "I have learned that it is the same way for each of us. You have to stay on your feet and keep moving if you are going to have light in your life."

We all need to do our part if we are going to have enough light to mark our paths. We might be able to follow someone else for a time and use their light. But in due time we need shine our light so that we might be of help to others.
The Saviour said "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Might we all work so that others will see our "good works" and be able to "glorify our Father which is in heaven".  

His Hands

A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

How many times in life do we have the opportunity to be the saviors hands. How many times can we lift those that fall. Now the question is do we? Or do we just sit and watch as others are falling down for, who knows how many times that day. When we are baptised we promise to do just this;

9Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.

God loves us. that is why he sent us here to live. Now lets not let him down but not doing what he asks of us. Jesus Christ is our savior. the Redeemer of the world.

What can we thank the lord for?

Gratitude

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life!

by unknown How many more can we add? There are many things in life that we sometimes pass for granted and maybe not gratitude. This person only went through the first hour of the morning routine. I know there are times of despair if I would only think of the positive things in life.

Return

Recently my companion and I have been struggling with a flu. Because of it, it has given us some time to do some extra studying. I for some reason found alot of talks and articles on the atonement of Christ. It has really brought to the front of my mind just how great it is to repent and feel that burden lifted from our load. Many times in life we try to cover up our mistakes or sins with other things, that for a moment really might help, but in the long run it just disappears and leaves us feeling our guilt and shame. We all know we are going to stumble and fall. If we do not we can not learn. By doing things on our own, and using our agency we are able to learn. 

It is just as a father teaching a child how to ride a bike. If the father holds on and walks the child in circles, the child does not learn to do it on his own. Where as when the father lets go and lets the pain of wrecking or tipping over happen. The child then learns to do it on his own. Heavenly Father lets us fall so we can learn. We just have to take our agency and do what He would have us do. And when the time happens that we do fall or "tip over" He provided a way for us to heal. When we repent. We have a way back.

President Thomas S. Monson said the following,
If any has stumbled in his journey, there is a way back. The process is called repentance. Our Savior died to provide you and me that blessed gift. Though the path is difficult, the promise is real: 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow' (Isaiah 1:18)."
Through sincere repentance we align our works with Gods will. And promise to follow his comandments. I know that when we repent God forgives us. We no longer feel that pain and guilt that comes from our mistakes. We become free, and we can return to live in Gods presence knowing that we are worthy to live there.