The Very Best Somethings

Yesterday, when it was tomorrow, it was too much day for me.  

Winnie the Pooh

 I really loved the movie Christopher Robin and every time I hear the quote above it reminds me that sometimes we borrow trouble by worrying about tomorrow instead of just enjoying the day we are in.

I like that in Christopher Robin the "very best somethings" don't come from a to do list.  Instead, "Doing nothing often leads to the very best something."  Work is good.  Play is good.  But just enjoying being alive right now with family, friends, and beauty all around, without having to accomplish anything is perhaps the best of all.

More Pictures: Connor Comes Home

Tia and Mike

Kayli and Tia with some strangers in between.

Kayli

Trisa!! (Jake and Dan too)

Trisa, Kayli, Tia, Mike

The Mom

The Dad

Mike, Me, Connor, and Dan

Mike in red, Trisa bottom left, Me with the hair that is more gray than I think, Dan in the black hoodie, and Connor in a suit.

The picture that got the most laughs.  I did not know my face could do that!
What are the chances of Derek snapping the picture right then?

Hiding

A closet -- but not the one my Dad built for me.

Last night I was remembering a time when I was somewhere between the age of eight and 11 when my family lived in Kentucky.  My Dad had built me a room in the basement -- right at the bottom of the stairs.  In my room he built me a fabulous closet.  It was a walk in closet with very sturdy shelves, and it was my very favorite place to go when I felt like hiding.  I would climb up those shelves and sit at the very top and just listen.  I liked that nobody ever found me until I wanted to be found, but that I could hear them looking.  I liked being up high looking at things from a different perspective, and I liked the break from dealing with whatever seemed hard for me at the time.

Over the years I have often hidden when I feel overwhelmed.  Sometimes I hide and pray.  Sometimes I hide and listen to people looking for me.  Other times I hide hoping that I can find a different perspective, or at least the energy to deal with whatever it is that seems hard at the time.  Hiding in this way has sometimes been a good thing like hiding in my closet was when I was a child.  Other times it has just been me avoiding dealing with a problem.  It has been me wishing that the hard things would fix themselves.  It is me feeling inadequate, and just not knowing what to do, and being afraid to try.  I have hidden instead of asking for the help I really want.  I have often convinced myself that hiding when I am having a hard time is doing everyone else a favor.

Hiding is a way of coping, and I do not think it is always bad, but there are cases when it is just pride.  It is not wanting to admit that I need help and can't do everything by myself.  It is me trying to hide my imperfections as if everyone doesn't already know that I am imperfect.  Sometimes hiding is as foolish as trying to hide sins from God.  He knows about the sins, and wants to help, but can't help until we come out of hiding and let Him.  When there are problems to solve, and challenges I don't know how to deal with, hiding in the closet is really not often going to be the quickest way to a solution.  It's okay to hide and pray, and take a small break, but then it is time to come out of hiding and get help.

*Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash

Gratitude

At stake conference we had a couple we know speak on gratitude, and I wanted to say an extra big AMEN!  I seem to discover over and over how important gratitude is to joy, and peace.  This morning as I knelt to pray I was thinking of a comment someone made about how when they were in pain they had been given the counsel to be grateful even if the pain was not taken away.  After a blessing they said a long prayer of gratitude and had the pain disappear.  She testified that gratitude is healing.

Pain can be really hard to ignore, and being grateful doesn't always, or maybe even often make it go away, though it can still be healing.  I am writing this on Easter morning.  There is so much to be grateful for, and yet I mainly feel tired, and my head hurts, and I feel a bit sorry for myself.  Why can't I just feel well?  And be energetic?  As I write though, we have a depiction of the Atonement of Jesus Christ running in the background, and His pain was much greater than mine, and He not only wished it would go away, but He could have made it go away -- except He knew we needed Him to go through that pain.

The atonement Christ made assures me that He understands my pain.  I am grateful for His patience, and the love He gives even when I am struggling to get past my pain enough to feel my gratitude.  His love is healing for me even if my pain doesn't go away.  There is nothing hard that Christ's love, and gratitude for Him can't make better.

Welcome Home Brother

The family waiting for Connor.  Travis is present too -- on the phone.

Connor has been serving for two years in the Nagoya Japan Mission.  He got home April 16th.  We were gathered at the airport waiting for him.  When Connor finally came down the hall Tia was standing beside me holding a poster she made that says, "WELCOME HOME BROTHER!".  There was a man in front of Connor who laughed a little because it looked like we were greeting him.  Tia said something like, "Welcome brother!  And you too!"  and the man joked about being adopted.

This person looked a little like he may not have had an easy life so far, and I wondered if he had a loving family somewhere to greet him.  I think it would be great if everyone had a family who was waiting anxiously for them to arrive because they love them, and always want them to feel welcome at home.

We are all brothers and sisters of a Heavenly Father.  He is waiting anxiously to see if we will choose to come home, and then He will greet us with love, and make us feel welcome.  It is a lot easier to choose Heavenly Father if there are people who are happy to see us no matter what, and who greet us with love, and even "adopt" us as family when our own isn't available.   

Some of us have been born into very loving families.  Others have not.  It is up to us to greet all people with love.  We do not know what hard things anyone may be dealing with.  We do not know if they have anyone else who will greet them with kindness, love, and joy.  It is possible that our greeting and our love may make a very big difference in someone's day and in their life.  It may lead them to more readily accept that there is a loving Heavenly Father who is waiting to say "Welcome Home."

Trisa, Kayli and Travis (who is on the phone Trisa is holding)

Dan was the first to dive under the roped off walkway and hug Connor.
Dan planned on giving Connor a "two hour hug".
He didn't get that, but he did hug him as much as he could!

Trisa and Connor

Kayli and Connor.  I didn't aim the camera very well because I was pretty
sure that Kayli would move.

He Lives!

When Connor came home, President Simmons (The Stake President) had him give a thought.  Connor told us about trying to teach someone, and that person saying that there is no way to know if there is a God or not.  Connor's companion answered by saying that he didn't used to know there is a God, but now he does, and Connor testified that He also had learned that there is a God -- not having known before.

God is our Father and He knows our name.  He loves us individually and sent Jesus to save us.  He shows us His love by giving us commandments so we'll know the happy way to live.  He shows His love by sending a prophet to guide us, and by giving us a chance to repent.  He listens to us as individuals, and guides us individually.  Salvation is available to us all.  It is free.

As I have studied during Easter week, and as I have welcomed home a son, it has been good to remember, and to hear that Jesus not only lived -- He lives.  He knows me.  He suffered a lot so that I would be able to come home and so that I can be resurrected too. 

"...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God ..."  (2nd Nephi 26: 33).

Jesus is my Savior, and yours.  He lives!

Easter: He is Risen!

The Garden Tomb

Most, if not all of us, have had someone that we love die.  Even if they were very old, or were suffering, it does not stop us from wishing they could still be here.  We miss them.  We also know that one day we will die.  No matter how well we take care of ourselves, our current bodies were not made to live forever. 

Easter is a day to be grateful.  Those we love will be resurrected.  We will be resurrected.  Our loved ones will be whole again, and we will not have to miss them forever.  All of us will have bodies that do not get sick, and are not broken in any way.  There has always been a plan for us.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."  John 3:  16-17

Jesus carried out His part of the plan.  He decided that all of the pain He would suffer was worth it to save all of His brothers and sisters who want to be saved.  I love Him.

Happy Easter!

Easter Week: Saturday -- The Dark Day

God's word is a light unto our path.

The tomb was closed.  The Son of God had died.  The Light of the World had gone out.  Hope seemed to be gone.  What now?

Sometimes in our lives we have dark days.  It may seem that all of the light has gone out of our lives.  Hope seems gone, or at least very far away, and we ask ourselves, "What now?" 

The good news is that, unlike His followers on that dark Saturday, we know what happened on Sunday.  We know the tomb was opened, and that Christ had Risen.  The Light of the World still shines bright, and hope is NOT gone.  "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."(Psalms 30:5). 

So, what now?  We hold on to the knowledge that there will be a morning.  Even if all we see is darkness, the light will come.  We search His words because we know that "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."(Psalms 119: 105).  We search His word, and then step forward, trusting in that light.

*Photo by Michael Mouritz on Unsplash

Easter Week: Friday -- Cruelty and Pain

The Crucifixion by Harry Anderson
Used by permission from theChurchofJesusChrist.org

When my children were younger we took them up to Salt Lake to see The Testament:  Of One Fold and One Shepherd.  There are scenes during the movie that show people being cruel to Christ.  They show Him nailed to the cross, and in pain.  When I looked over at one of my daughters, she had her head down, with her eyes tightly shut and her hands covering her ears.  She is a sweet and loving person.  Watching the Jesus in the film suffer was too much for her.  I can only imagine how much pain and sorrow Jesus' mother felt as she saw her own son suffer such agony.

Sometimes in this life we may suffer cruelty.  We will have pain.  There is no doubt that Jesus understands what that feels like.  He knows it is hard.  He may even want to hide His face, and close His eyes, and cover His ears and so He does not have to watch someone He loves suffer -- but He does not do that.  Like His mother stayed with Him, He stays with us.  He offers us comfort, and support, and understanding.  He may even take some of our pain, or strengthen us so that we can handle it.  Even if we are hurting to much to recognize it, He is there for us.

I want to be like Jesus.  Instead of avoiding having to see and hear a family member, friend, or stranger suffer, I want to be there offering comfort, and support and understanding.  Jesus has done that for me.  Family, friends, and strangers have done this for me.  Even at times when I have felt alone, and seemed to be alone, I hold on to the knowledge that the Lord is with me, and He loves me.

Easter Week: Thursday -- Jesus Prays For Me

A lot of things happened on the Thursday of the original Easter week, but today I want to focus on the fact that Jesus prayed for me twice that day.

The first time was when He gave what is called "the great intercessory prayer" recorded in St. John chapter 17.  Why do I say He was praying for me?  In verse 20 He says He doesn't pray for His apostles only but for "them also which shall believe on me through their word".  I have not seen Jesus like those original apostles have, but I believe they saw Him, and I believe their teaching and testimony that Jesus is the Son of God.  One thing He prays for is that the love the Father has for Him will be upon me.  I feel His love as I picture Him praying for me.

The second time He prayed for me was in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane, and began His atonement for my sins, and my suffering, and my sorrow.  I love Isaiah Chapter 53 -- especially verse 5.  "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

I love that He prayed for me, and was willing to go through such pain for me.  Today I will pray with gratitude for Him.

*Image used with permission from churchofJesusChrist.org

Easter Week: Wednesday -- Betrayal

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
We need Christ always.

Judas Iscariot.  The Betrayer.  Someone who was supposed to be a friend, but who loved money more than Jesus.  Jesus, who is the Son of the Most High God.  Who created everything, including the silver that the money Judas coveted was made from. 

Have you ever been betrayed?  Have you thought someone was your friend, only to find that they cared for something or someone else more than they cared about you?  Have you ever been the betrayer?  The person that someone trusted, who ended up being untrustworthy?

Jesus, who was betrayed, is the very one who can help and heal those who have been betrayed who are hurting and broken, and forgive and lift the betrayer who is also hurting and broken.  He understands being betrayed and the healing power of forgiveness, and He knows the motivations behind betrayal and the healing power of repentance.

All of us will fill both roles in our lifetime -- the betrayer and the betrayed.  Maybe we will yell, and be angry when love and understanding were called for.  Maybe we will be late in helping when someone really needed us to be on time.  Maybe we will gossip, and betray a trust through our words.  At other times we might be the one who is hurt by someones words, or actions.  We need Christ in both instances.  We need Him in every instance! 

Today I will be grateful for Christ, who I need every minute of every hour, and who is never the betrayer.

*Photo by Robert Nyman on Unsplash

Easter Week: Tuesday -- Pride and Preparation

Herod's Temple
Used by permission from churchofJesusChrist.org

On the Tuesday of Easter week Christ taught more in the temple, and the Jewish leaders desperately tried to trap Him in His words.  They were afraid of losing their power to Christ.  They liked being important.  They liked being able to think they were right.  Money was more important to them than sanctification, and they were more worried that all of the little details of the Law of Moses were kept than about understanding the meaning of the law.

I have sometimes read the scriptures where these leaders try to trap Jesus and I have chuckled at how easily He understands what they are up to.  They get what is coming to them!  But there are also times when I realize that I fall into similar traps that lead me away from Christ.  I have cared too much what others think.  I have thought more about what I want than what others need.  I have worried more about keeping every rule than on learning why they were made, and acting out of love.

art by Harry Anderson
used by permission from
churchofJesusChrist.org

On Tuesday of Easter week Jesus also taught about His second coming.  He gave parables about preparation, letting us know that we need to fill our lamps with oil, and improve our talents.  On this Tuesday of Easter week, I want to consider pride, and where it might have snuck into my life unnoticed.  I want to ask "What lack I yet?" and then I want to be willing to act on what I learn.  I want to admit that I am wrong if my will is not aligning with the will of my Savior.  In short, I want to let go of pride, and be prepared for the time when I will see Jesus again.

Easter Week: Monday -- The Cursing of The Fig Tree

Figs

There is a story in the Bible about Jesus coming to a fig tree when He was hungry, and finding no fruit on it. He cursed it, and it died.

I think the story of the fig tree is meant to remind us that we are not to be idle, and "unfruitful".  We are to lead by example, by keeping the commandments, by going about doing good, and loving as Jesus did.  We have been given abilities and talents and we are to use them in the service of our God.  Jesus is loving and kind.  He is sympathetic, and understanding.  He also has expectations, and the story of the fig tree is a warning to help us remember that we need to put forth some effort in a quest to follow Him.

In Matthew 7:17 Jesus said, "...every good tree bringeth forth good fruit...".  In verse 19 He says "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."  On this day of Easter week, it would be a good idea to find something good we can do for someone.  We can forgive.  We can be kind.  We can be thankful.  We can be helpful.  Any time we do these kinds of things, I believe that we are putting forth good fruits, and are showing love for the Savior who gave everything for us.