What do you want?
Howdee All,
I hope your week has been filled with love and joy. I know that mine has been. I have also had several opportunities to think about the events happening around me and what I can learn from them.
I know that I have been focused on a select group of scriptures in my pondering as of late, but I just don't know that I can do that this week. Hopefully it will not be to much. If it is, just glean what you motivates or causes you to ponder yourself and go with it.
On Monday, I had a chance to go out and have some uncomfortable conversations with the Bishop of our ward. He did most of the talking. I just had to be there as a support, sustaining priesthood holder, and witness. But the experience was one that has hung with me all week. I am sure it will continue, just hanging there in my head, it seems to fill many of my thoughts.
Any who, during our visit, a question that seemed to be repeated several times was, "What is it that you want?" Oddly enough, I don't remember hearing an answer. Each time it was asked, I could sense the frustration levels rising. After several attempts, ground rules were established to live by, regardless of what it was they really wanted, but since they would not verbalize those desires, there really wasn't much that could be done.
However, the question has stuck with me. What is it that I want? What is it that you want?
As I pondered JSH 1:16-17, I thought about what it was young Joseph wanted. Then my mind was filled with the follow up questions; What was it that he was willing to do to get what he wanted? What obstacles did he have to over come? One would think, "Hey, the Lord came to him, so it must have been easy peasy right? I don't think so. From the very first attempt to get what he wanted, he face opposition. What mattered was his commitment to obtaining his goal.
These were all pretty minding blowing thoughts for me this week as I attempted to apply them to myself. Then I re-read and listened to the recent talk by President Nelson for Priesthood session. He shared a story about on of his life experiences. Again, my mind was filled with similar questions. What were the two young girls from his experience willing to do to get what they wanted? What about the surviving father and brother? What about us?
President Nelson shared some very valuable insight and counsel. Here are just a few:
I hope your week has been filled with love and joy. I know that mine has been. I have also had several opportunities to think about the events happening around me and what I can learn from them.
I know that I have been focused on a select group of scriptures in my pondering as of late, but I just don't know that I can do that this week. Hopefully it will not be to much. If it is, just glean what you motivates or causes you to ponder yourself and go with it.
On Monday, I had a chance to go out and have some uncomfortable conversations with the Bishop of our ward. He did most of the talking. I just had to be there as a support, sustaining priesthood holder, and witness. But the experience was one that has hung with me all week. I am sure it will continue, just hanging there in my head, it seems to fill many of my thoughts.
Any who, during our visit, a question that seemed to be repeated several times was, "What is it that you want?" Oddly enough, I don't remember hearing an answer. Each time it was asked, I could sense the frustration levels rising. After several attempts, ground rules were established to live by, regardless of what it was they really wanted, but since they would not verbalize those desires, there really wasn't much that could be done.
However, the question has stuck with me. What is it that I want? What is it that you want?
As I pondered JSH 1:16-17, I thought about what it was young Joseph wanted. Then my mind was filled with the follow up questions; What was it that he was willing to do to get what he wanted? What obstacles did he have to over come? One would think, "Hey, the Lord came to him, so it must have been easy peasy right? I don't think so. From the very first attempt to get what he wanted, he face opposition. What mattered was his commitment to obtaining his goal.
These were all pretty minding blowing thoughts for me this week as I attempted to apply them to myself. Then I re-read and listened to the recent talk by President Nelson for Priesthood session. He shared a story about on of his life experiences. Again, my mind was filled with similar questions. What were the two young girls from his experience willing to do to get what they wanted? What about the surviving father and brother? What about us?
President Nelson shared some very valuable insight and counsel. Here are just a few:
- Willing to forgive
- Willing to let go of old hurts and habits
- Willing to submit to guidance
- Willing to become something different
- Willing to pray
- Willing to search, study and ponder scripture
- Willing to be worthy of the temple and worship there often
- Willing to follow the guidance and counsel given
There is a huge difference between wanting and obtaining. If we are not willing to work for, change for, seek for, and live for what we want; then we probably really don't want it. Until we do. Until we are. It will never happen, not matter how much we say we want it.
I hope that message sinks in for those of you who want. I know it has been on my mind a great deal.
As I conclude my thoughts, this morning I was blown away again with a conversation we had in PEC. I was reminded that when we want something and we are willing to do something about it or are even doing something about it, it is always good to go back and do a little check up on it.
Our discussion had us in Malachi 1:7-8, 13. The first couple times I read this, I wasn't sure where we going, but as I re-read it, the more it was opened to me. This is what I got:
What is our alter? When we come to the alter, petitioning God the Father's assistance, what is it I am willing to sacrifice? Are my efforts, thoughts, willingness truly worthy? Or are they polluted? Is it blind, lame, or half hearted? When given counsel, guidance, or answer to my searching, do I respond with exhaustion, weariness, or do I snuff at it?
The Lord has asked for a broken heart and contrite spirit. He has asked that we keep His commandments. Many of us have made covenants to take His name upon us. Are we giving it our all or do we murmur, whine, complain, or go at it as a check off list when things are not as easily obtained as we would think they should be.
I have had much to ponder. I hope you have as well. Take what you personally need from it. The Lord will give you the rest when you are ready.
On with the week:
The Queen and I worked. She had Young Women's. I had PPI's. We are starting a new adventure with a health program from work. We will let you know what comes of it.
The Professor is working hard. She spent most of the week wrapping up her projects for the class she is in. She just needs to take the final and turn it in.
Tall Man worked around the house, painted a fence, helped plant a garden, and started a new job.
SnackPack shared his story (Modesto, Spanish, August 30th), took two AP tests, worked, sang, danced, and has done his best to fight a bad case of senioritis.
There you go, short and sweet!
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