Adventure #52: Christmas Carols

"Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." -Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Singing at our ward Christmas party was a rare treat. It was simple and low-key and full of joy. We sang everything from "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" to "O Holy Night." The unplanned nature of the time spent caroling around the piano made it feel like a family gathered just to celebrate the joyful season. And perhaps it was these circumstances that were the perfect setting for the thoughts that came as we sang "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

The line written above had been sung by me probably once a year since I could sing. But I've never realized quite what it meant. And, especially what it meant to me. To be reconciled is one of the best feelings I've ever experienced. And what must it be like to be reconciled with my Creator! I've had glimpses of what that's like and I look forward to its completion. I recognize that such glimpses are due to the Savior that came and His part in bridging God and sinners. It wouldn't be possible to feel that peace and joy without Him.

This is a familiar testimony, stated many times throughout the world and the ages. And for me it continues to grow, influenced by those around me and the testimony they share, like in the instance of singing carols with my lovely ward which led to realizing what it means for God and sinners to be reconciled. So this Christmas season and as we start another year afresh, I just would like to add a few of my thoughts. 

I know that our Savior and Redeemer was born into this world to bridge us sinners with the Lord Omnipotent. That through His saving grace and infinite atonement, we can always start again, be renew, and be reconciled. As we allow Him into our lives, He has the chance to guide and strengthen us and give us opportunities to grow that we can experience in no other way. He is the source of peace for this earth and is the bridge and key to our return to our Heavenly Father.

May He bless all your adventures for the coming year!

Adventure #43: Living Joyfully

"Happiness here and now consists in freely, lovingly, joyfully acknowledging God's will for us -- and doing it in all ways and all affairs big and small." ~ Ezra Taft Benson

*SPOILER ALERT* For the Provo YSA 138th ward (especially its Relief Society members), this is a preview of my RS lesson for this coming Sunday. Do not continue reading if you want that to remain a complete mystery. If you'd like to know a bit of what's heading your way, please keep reading. Thank you.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

If you've ever read You Are Special by Max Lucado, then you know all about gray dots and gold stars and what they mean when another Wemmick sticks them to you. If you haven't read it, then I recommend a read and then a re-read. However, I'm going to proceed with this entry as if you have all read it.

Recently, my days have been filled with gray dots. And, I must admit that many, many of these gray dots have stuck to me. Saturday was an especially dense gray dot day. Possibly of my own design and I said such to my roommate who then said this:

"Hon, they're not your idea, they're Satan's. He's the one who wants you to feel bad about yourself. I mean, I totally understand feeling down because of any of those things. But just remember that no matter how tough things are in the moment, you'll outlast them!"

Spectacular wisdom, wouldn't you say? I do. And as I've been preparing my lesson for this week, I found that Pres. Benson also agrees. This is what he said:

"There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you."

Both of these astute people direct our attention to the fact that some of what we think isn't our own creation. Do we really want to think badly of ourselves? I know I don't but up to this point hadn't ever made that connection. I recognize have the choice to accept this negativity or reject it for the light that Heavenly Father will let in once I do. Like Eli in You Are Special, He will always be there to show us how He feels about us - no gray dots or gold stars matter to Him. Beyond that, nothing Satan says to us can even touch what our great Creator knows about us individually.

Now I would also like to point out that Lindsay, the roommate who gave the advice above, is also in charge of assigning teachers in Relief Society. I was picked for this lesson less than 24 hours after she gave me that original advice.

I haven't asked her yet, so I don't know but there's a chance she read the lesson and applied her knowledge here. However, this isn't the first time that her advice and point of view has been so exactly on-target. From this experience and many before, I acknowledge that she is both bright and brilliant and also chooses to rely on our Heavenly Father to direct her words and actions for the benefit of all she encounters. And therefore, I sense a divine fingerprint integral in the arranging of these circumstances.

So how do we live joyfully? Free from grays dots and gold stars? Be like Punchinello - visit your Maker every day. Reject the negativity thrown at you from the deceiver. As is unavoidable, when you find yourself in those moments of despair, remember that you will outlast the devil. And, anytime you are willing to turn to your Father in Heaven, He is waiting for you with open arms. These are just a few of the adventures we are here to enjoy!