Happy in the Path
Happy Sabbath All!
I hope this message finds you all warm, un-dug, and healthy. I know it has been a crazy whirlwind of weather as of late. As I shoveled my little 3 to 4 inches of wet, heavy snow this morning, I kept reminding myself, "You can do this, You can do this. It is just 3 or 4 inches. Think of those back East." I have been getting pictures from some of my agents in Virginia who were waist deep and waiting for more. As I scroll through pictures that have been posted, my weekly scripture came to mind. Some of it is another focus on words.
2 Nephi 31:19 "...after ye have gotten INTO this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?..."
Nephi did not say ON, but INTO the path. I have been trying all week to come up with some sort of imagery that would help me understand how one could be IN a path and not ON. I was looking up images of the wilderness at the time of Nephi and Lehi, trying to see what they were seeing or imagining. It just was not working for me. Then last night, it hit me as I looked at all these people trying to dig their way out. They can see what they want, where they want to go, but there is so much that stands between them and the goal. Some are armed with plows, blowers, or shovels. They are seen digging deep enough to see the road, side walk, or foot path that they know is there, they just can't see it. As they dig, they suddenly find themselves in this strait and narrow path. It requires a great deal of work, effort, and strength to dig down to something they know is there, removing all that would tell them that it was not.
Keep reading the verse. "...Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the WORD of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save."
Being in the path, finding the path, moving down the path is not a one time event, but a process. The winds blow, the path get buried at times, we have to keep exercising the faith that we exercised to find and get into the path. It takes work, not just belief.
If not prepared, many people how believe the path is there, but do nothing to find or get into it, may not be able to wait out the thaw and be saved.
I also find it interesting that we get where we are by the WORD, which is Jesus Christ, as well as his literal words and actions. We must ever be working and exercising our faith in him to make it.
Now on to the next thought. I don't know why I didn't really hear or read this before, but it fits in perfectly with this weeks thoughts. In President Uchtdorf's comments at General Womens Conference he talked about being happy with what you got and when you can, make other people happy. Our happily ever afters do not have to wait until the next life. We are living part of our eternities now. We need to make the most of them as we do.
As I have pondered this thought, I have always been impressed by the lessons taught and learned in many of the sports played around our home. I was even more impressed to see the same tradition continued this year as church ball has started. On Friday night, once they were well ahead, the object of the game became to make sure every player on the team walked away with points. When that happened, the object of the game was to back off on defense and let the other team get some shots. The coach, aka SnackPack, made a rule, we don't push on defense and we don't shoot until the ball has been passed at least 4 times. I know he got some lip about it and it did not work out the way it was supposed, but the lesson/tradition needs to be shared/taught.
Once we are in the strait and narrow path, we are not in a race. It is not about being the first one to the pearly gates. It is not about seeing who held the highest position, scored the most points, or has the biggest gold star. It is about bringing as many of our brothers and sisters along with us. Remember Mosiah 3.
Thanks for teaching me the lesson again and reminding me of the what its all about. I hope the practice never changes.
So, on with the week.
The Queen started the week in balmy Houston. It was a fast and exhausting trip, but she enjoyed the time getting out. The rest of the week was spent catching up on what happened while she was gone and dealing with Jonas.
The Professor enjoyed her first week off track. She accomplished a great deal and caught up on the down time she needed.
Tall Man is dealing with the stress/seasonal head cold. He performed to his 4 consecutive sold out show last night. He has added a work load and school load to all that he does. He is using some of those muscles that have not been used in a while.
SnackPack ran through drawn swords at Senior night, got the head cut, and then treated for regions. When he was not at work, in the pool, doing homework, or sleeping, he was running around with glow sticks and laser enhanced nerf guns. Memories that will forever be cherished.
Now are moving on to another week of our eternity. Make it a happy one and bring someone along.
I hope this message finds you all warm, un-dug, and healthy. I know it has been a crazy whirlwind of weather as of late. As I shoveled my little 3 to 4 inches of wet, heavy snow this morning, I kept reminding myself, "You can do this, You can do this. It is just 3 or 4 inches. Think of those back East." I have been getting pictures from some of my agents in Virginia who were waist deep and waiting for more. As I scroll through pictures that have been posted, my weekly scripture came to mind. Some of it is another focus on words.
2 Nephi 31:19 "...after ye have gotten INTO this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done?..."
Nephi did not say ON, but INTO the path. I have been trying all week to come up with some sort of imagery that would help me understand how one could be IN a path and not ON. I was looking up images of the wilderness at the time of Nephi and Lehi, trying to see what they were seeing or imagining. It just was not working for me. Then last night, it hit me as I looked at all these people trying to dig their way out. They can see what they want, where they want to go, but there is so much that stands between them and the goal. Some are armed with plows, blowers, or shovels. They are seen digging deep enough to see the road, side walk, or foot path that they know is there, they just can't see it. As they dig, they suddenly find themselves in this strait and narrow path. It requires a great deal of work, effort, and strength to dig down to something they know is there, removing all that would tell them that it was not.
Keep reading the verse. "...Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the WORD of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save."
Being in the path, finding the path, moving down the path is not a one time event, but a process. The winds blow, the path get buried at times, we have to keep exercising the faith that we exercised to find and get into the path. It takes work, not just belief.
If not prepared, many people how believe the path is there, but do nothing to find or get into it, may not be able to wait out the thaw and be saved.
I also find it interesting that we get where we are by the WORD, which is Jesus Christ, as well as his literal words and actions. We must ever be working and exercising our faith in him to make it.
Now on to the next thought. I don't know why I didn't really hear or read this before, but it fits in perfectly with this weeks thoughts. In President Uchtdorf's comments at General Womens Conference he talked about being happy with what you got and when you can, make other people happy. Our happily ever afters do not have to wait until the next life. We are living part of our eternities now. We need to make the most of them as we do.
As I have pondered this thought, I have always been impressed by the lessons taught and learned in many of the sports played around our home. I was even more impressed to see the same tradition continued this year as church ball has started. On Friday night, once they were well ahead, the object of the game became to make sure every player on the team walked away with points. When that happened, the object of the game was to back off on defense and let the other team get some shots. The coach, aka SnackPack, made a rule, we don't push on defense and we don't shoot until the ball has been passed at least 4 times. I know he got some lip about it and it did not work out the way it was supposed, but the lesson/tradition needs to be shared/taught.
Once we are in the strait and narrow path, we are not in a race. It is not about being the first one to the pearly gates. It is not about seeing who held the highest position, scored the most points, or has the biggest gold star. It is about bringing as many of our brothers and sisters along with us. Remember Mosiah 3.
Thanks for teaching me the lesson again and reminding me of the what its all about. I hope the practice never changes.
So, on with the week.
The Queen started the week in balmy Houston. It was a fast and exhausting trip, but she enjoyed the time getting out. The rest of the week was spent catching up on what happened while she was gone and dealing with Jonas.
The Professor enjoyed her first week off track. She accomplished a great deal and caught up on the down time she needed.
Tall Man is dealing with the stress/seasonal head cold. He performed to his 4 consecutive sold out show last night. He has added a work load and school load to all that he does. He is using some of those muscles that have not been used in a while.
SnackPack ran through drawn swords at Senior night, got the head cut, and then treated for regions. When he was not at work, in the pool, doing homework, or sleeping, he was running around with glow sticks and laser enhanced nerf guns. Memories that will forever be cherished.
Now are moving on to another week of our eternity. Make it a happy one and bring someone along.
Comments