Praying and Working For The Success of Others

This morning I was reading in The Five Thieves of Happiness about a girl who was trying out for a sports team and asked the coach how another player was better than her.  The coach told her to not worry about anyone else, but to focus on being the best she could be.  On hearing this the girl realized that she did not want to make the team because someone else didn't do well.  She wanted to make the team because she did well herself.  Not only did she realize this, but she realized that it would be happier, and better to encourage others to succeed.

She started praying for individuals to succeed in the things they were trying to do, and even paid to allow a person to try out for the position she played because she felt they were better than her, but they couldn't afford to play otherwise.  In the end she found that she actually played better when she was not focused on how she compared to others, but on doing her best, and on encouraging those around her.

I like this story.  It is so easy to fall into the trap of comparison even though we would all be better off praying and working for the success of others, while at the same time trying to do our best at the things we do.

*Photo by Rachel Barkdoll on Unsplash

Orchestra Concert: The Gift of Smiles and Encouragement

Four flute players:  Maudie (who also plays piccolo), Jolie, Me, and Amber

On Sunday, after barely waking up from my accidental nap in time to get ready, I played in the Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the Springville Museum.  Not only did my awesome family come, including Derek's parents, but so did some friends.  I loved having people there to support me, who smiled, and were so kind.  I felt like they had all given me a great gift, and I am thankful.

I really am not the best flute player ever, but being in the orchestra has given me an opportunity to improve, and I generally work pretty hard to be able to play the songs we are given.  The encouragement I get from my family and friends helps keep me going, and makes playing in the concerts more fun.  I want to grow up to be more like the awesome people I know!

Nourish and Encourage

I was thinking this morning about how what I write might come across to others -- especially those who believe differently than I do.  While I do believe that there is doctrine and authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that is not had by other Christians, I do not believe that we, as people, are any better.  We are all children of God on a path of discipleship.  We all have the opportunity to study, or not -- to pray, or not -- to apply what we learn, or not.  

I am thankful for the people in my church who set such good examples for me, and I am equally thankful for those who do not belong to my church who set such good examples for me.  When I have gone through hard things, people in and out of my church have prayed for me, and I believe that God heard all of those prayers, and honored them.  

My cousin Mike and my sister Jenny
in 2009 (I think)

My cousin Mike, who is a Christian that does not belong to the same church as me, has been very thoughtful and supportive over the years.  He loves me, prays for me, and has sent me encouraging scriptures from his study of the Bible.  I am thankful for the light of our Savior that shines brightly through him, and that nourishes and encourages the light in me.  My sister Jenny, who does belong to my church is also a good example of a disciple of Christ.  My hope is that I will always encourage and nourish the light in others, and when I fail, that they will have the light needed to forgive.

In the end, we are all pilgrims seeking God's light as we journey on a path of discipleship.  We do not condemn others for the amount of light they may or may not have; rather, we nourish and encourage all light until it grows clear, bright, and true.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Who Believes In You?

I don't know how long ago I started writing this, but I decided to finish it up and share it with you!

This is Derek.  I love that he always
believes in me.

I listened to a man talking on a Christian radio station.  He asked who it was that believed in us before we believed in ourselves.  I expect that for me it was my Mother.  Even when I did things like pretend to be sick, I knew she expected better of me, and believed I would meet her expectations.  I also remember a teacher that believed in my honesty when it was questioned by someone else and how much that meant to me.

This unidentified man on the radio continued by telling a story of a 1st grade boy who thought he was not smart.  He loved his teacher but he tried to avoid looking at her because he was so afraid she would ask him a question and discover that he wasn't smart.  Once she came up behind him when he was working and he was upset, but she just put her hand on his shoulder, put a gold star on his paper, and told him that she thought he was a really smart boy.  She had made him feel so good in that moment that he decided to become a teacher so he could help other people feel that way -- and he did grow up to be a teacher.

In my life I have been blessed with a lot of very encouraging people who believe in me even when I have let myself, or others down.  This has made such a big difference to me!  I always want to be the kind of person who notices the good in others, and helps them to see it in themselves.  I think it is okay to have great expectations for those around us because they have great potential, and even when they aren't perfect (none of us are), our belief in them and our encouragement could help them to do great things!