We Just Need to See
OH, The weather outside is frightful....
I will let you finish the rest. Is the tune stuck in your head? What visions does it bring to your mind? For some, I would think a Christmas tune like this one would have some extra meaning, yep I am calling you out Mr. Humbug. I still love you though.
Any who, here we are at the end of another week or the start of a new, which ever way you look at it. I hope your week has been full of memories and joy. I know that mine has had several ups and downs, scoops and shovels, tears and smiles, all of them worth noting.
But let me share my pondering first. D&C 76:109-112
"But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore;"
"And hear the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever;"
"For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared;"
"And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end."
There is a great deal to think about in these verses, but as I have been reminded over and over again this week, I was left with the impression that God knows me. Jesus Christ calls me by name. Regardless of what I believe or don't believe, do or don't do, understand or don't understand, in this life, there will come a point that I will know them as they know me. I will not be able to deny who they are, what they have done for me, and where I have fallen short and/or succeeded in this life.
And regardless of where I am left standing, it will be because of them. My place of dwelling will be because of their loving mercy for me. It is my hope, desire, and prayer that I can be more than just a servant. I long to dwell where they dwell.
But what about these of whom they saw? What about them? How did they get where they are or will be? Why didn't they come unto them while in the flesh? This is where my mind has been this week.
Little by little I was able to see and understand small bits and pieces today in our meetings. Several people stood up and shared their testimonies with us today. As I was pondering these words and theirs, I was able to have some clarity.
One sister stood and talked about how hard they have tried to be good people. How much they have struggled with some of their children and the challenges they face, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Then she gave her thanks to all who have endured. She praised the patience of all who have had to deal with some of their challenges. She noted the small and simple success that they have witnessed among all the difficulty and challenge.
Her words gave me reason for reflection. I am sure that throughout these challenging and difficult trials there have been times when some of us, myself included, lost our patience, refused to endure, and have brushed off the successes. In fact, I am sure there have been times when the actions of others, the comments, the looks, and the denials, could have given this sister, her husband, her children, and more reason to give up, become offended, refuse to see the successes, yet she did not.
Wow! I learned that I need to be more grateful and less pessimistic.
Then there was the brother, himself having more challenges in life that I can even imagine, stood and bore his witness of God and His hand in his life. I was able to realize that YES, life is often challenging. YES, there are times that things just do not go our way all the time, even when we are doing our best to do what is right. Even when we might not be doing it all, but doing something. It is easy to question WHY? Yet I listened to this brother share his witness that God does have a plan. He knows us individually. There are times that we are allowed to endure trials that we might grow and learn. This brother said as much. But then he said something that helped me understand the tender mercies of our Father in Heaven.
This brother shared how he had been approached/extended a new calling. This brother does not do well with change. He talked about how he had struggled with this offer because he was not where he was supposed to be on the road map of his life. He was very specific. It was as if he knew that time and season that he was going to be released from the current calling he had and loved so much. He talked of his struggle because that day, when it would happen, would be a warm summer day, but in the distant future, as he still had a distance to travel on the road map of revelation in his mind.
Then he realized that the calling that was being offered did not mean he would be released from his current position, but would be in addition to his current calling and would only require a short moment of time once a month. Yet I was was given a brief insight to how merciful the Lord is to this brother who struggles in so many ways. He is able to clearly see where he is, where he needs to be, and when he will be arriving.
So, what does this have to do with anything? I was able to learn from them today that each of us has a choice to make. We can see the good, count our blessings, endure in faith, press forward with patience, or not. We can ignore God's hand in lives, refuse to recognize His tender mercies, or be offended when things don't go as we envision them, but as He envisions. It is a choice. Those of the the telestial have chosen the latter. What about you?
I would encourage you all to endure a little more, exercise more faith, practice more patience, see and acknowledge His hand your lives, and count the blessings of good rather than dwell upon the moments of bad.
Our week-
Well, it was another one of those crazy meshes of work schedules. The Queen started at a different time every day this week. Then there were a couple days that she was required to stay longer than anticipated, but we made the best of it. Dinner was some times late and even compromised with something totally unexpected. We are glad to have the opportunities.
The Professor counted each day of this week with great anticipation for the end. She still has a couple more assignments but for the most part she is done with this next degree. There is just a small defense that has to be completed on Wednesday, but now that she is off track she can focus on those things and more. Yep, she is officially on Holiday.
We have not heard much from Tall Man and Ehl-Bo this week. If you have not checked out her Patreon site, I would recommend it.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins jetted in and out last weekend. We understand they have had some of those opportunities to count blesses on late night travels in some of this frightful weather. We are grateful that they have been blessed and protected. 100+
SnackPack and Songbird dropped by yesterday for a brief stint. It was fun to catch up with them. They are glad that the semester is almost over and looking forward to the next. SnackPack is making the most of the activities afforded him. He hopes to hit bank sooner or later.
I love you all. Stay warm. Be wise. Remember who you are.
I will let you finish the rest. Is the tune stuck in your head? What visions does it bring to your mind? For some, I would think a Christmas tune like this one would have some extra meaning, yep I am calling you out Mr. Humbug. I still love you though.
Any who, here we are at the end of another week or the start of a new, which ever way you look at it. I hope your week has been full of memories and joy. I know that mine has had several ups and downs, scoops and shovels, tears and smiles, all of them worth noting.
But let me share my pondering first. D&C 76:109-112
"But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore;"
"And hear the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever;"
"For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared;"
"And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end."
There is a great deal to think about in these verses, but as I have been reminded over and over again this week, I was left with the impression that God knows me. Jesus Christ calls me by name. Regardless of what I believe or don't believe, do or don't do, understand or don't understand, in this life, there will come a point that I will know them as they know me. I will not be able to deny who they are, what they have done for me, and where I have fallen short and/or succeeded in this life.
And regardless of where I am left standing, it will be because of them. My place of dwelling will be because of their loving mercy for me. It is my hope, desire, and prayer that I can be more than just a servant. I long to dwell where they dwell.
But what about these of whom they saw? What about them? How did they get where they are or will be? Why didn't they come unto them while in the flesh? This is where my mind has been this week.
Little by little I was able to see and understand small bits and pieces today in our meetings. Several people stood up and shared their testimonies with us today. As I was pondering these words and theirs, I was able to have some clarity.
One sister stood and talked about how hard they have tried to be good people. How much they have struggled with some of their children and the challenges they face, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Then she gave her thanks to all who have endured. She praised the patience of all who have had to deal with some of their challenges. She noted the small and simple success that they have witnessed among all the difficulty and challenge.
Her words gave me reason for reflection. I am sure that throughout these challenging and difficult trials there have been times when some of us, myself included, lost our patience, refused to endure, and have brushed off the successes. In fact, I am sure there have been times when the actions of others, the comments, the looks, and the denials, could have given this sister, her husband, her children, and more reason to give up, become offended, refuse to see the successes, yet she did not.
Wow! I learned that I need to be more grateful and less pessimistic.
Then there was the brother, himself having more challenges in life that I can even imagine, stood and bore his witness of God and His hand in his life. I was able to realize that YES, life is often challenging. YES, there are times that things just do not go our way all the time, even when we are doing our best to do what is right. Even when we might not be doing it all, but doing something. It is easy to question WHY? Yet I listened to this brother share his witness that God does have a plan. He knows us individually. There are times that we are allowed to endure trials that we might grow and learn. This brother said as much. But then he said something that helped me understand the tender mercies of our Father in Heaven.
This brother shared how he had been approached/extended a new calling. This brother does not do well with change. He talked about how he had struggled with this offer because he was not where he was supposed to be on the road map of his life. He was very specific. It was as if he knew that time and season that he was going to be released from the current calling he had and loved so much. He talked of his struggle because that day, when it would happen, would be a warm summer day, but in the distant future, as he still had a distance to travel on the road map of revelation in his mind.
Then he realized that the calling that was being offered did not mean he would be released from his current position, but would be in addition to his current calling and would only require a short moment of time once a month. Yet I was was given a brief insight to how merciful the Lord is to this brother who struggles in so many ways. He is able to clearly see where he is, where he needs to be, and when he will be arriving.
So, what does this have to do with anything? I was able to learn from them today that each of us has a choice to make. We can see the good, count our blessings, endure in faith, press forward with patience, or not. We can ignore God's hand in lives, refuse to recognize His tender mercies, or be offended when things don't go as we envision them, but as He envisions. It is a choice. Those of the the telestial have chosen the latter. What about you?
I would encourage you all to endure a little more, exercise more faith, practice more patience, see and acknowledge His hand your lives, and count the blessings of good rather than dwell upon the moments of bad.
Our week-
Well, it was another one of those crazy meshes of work schedules. The Queen started at a different time every day this week. Then there were a couple days that she was required to stay longer than anticipated, but we made the best of it. Dinner was some times late and even compromised with something totally unexpected. We are glad to have the opportunities.
The Professor counted each day of this week with great anticipation for the end. She still has a couple more assignments but for the most part she is done with this next degree. There is just a small defense that has to be completed on Wednesday, but now that she is off track she can focus on those things and more. Yep, she is officially on Holiday.
We have not heard much from Tall Man and Ehl-Bo this week. If you have not checked out her Patreon site, I would recommend it.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins jetted in and out last weekend. We understand they have had some of those opportunities to count blesses on late night travels in some of this frightful weather. We are grateful that they have been blessed and protected. 100+
SnackPack and Songbird dropped by yesterday for a brief stint. It was fun to catch up with them. They are glad that the semester is almost over and looking forward to the next. SnackPack is making the most of the activities afforded him. He hopes to hit bank sooner or later.
I love you all. Stay warm. Be wise. Remember who you are.
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