Charity, Grace, Forgiveness - they are not individual, but one
Good Morning All - I hope your week has been wonder!
I am trying hard to get an early start on my post this morning, my fingers just don't seem to be working the way I want them to. I am also having a hard time focusing my thoughts. I found myself being divided by so many different matters in my life that you may find this post to be more of a ramble than normal.
Let's start with my verses of pondering Ether 12:35-36
"Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly."
"And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity."
Again I am amazed at how these verses seem to fit right in with other events and points of study this week. Even more, I am amazed at the words of Mormon. He is testifying of what he knows from the things he has witnessed. He witnessed them in our time.
"...if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness,..."
We always talk of charity as being the love of God. We seek to obtain this love and treat others with this love. My question is...what does this love entail? What makes this love complete?
In this small line of words, Mormon knows what will or can be the cause of not having charity. He knows that the Gentiles need to have charity because of the weakness of his people, the weakness of others, the weakness of the people around us.
Over and over again, we have heard from the chosen leader of God's kingdom here on earth at this time that none of us are perfect, themselves included. We all have weakness. We all have faults. Hopefully we are all trying to repent of those short comings and be better each and every day, but at the same time we are being instructed here to not let the weaknesses of others send us down a path of darkness.
This shouts to me this week that part of charity is also forgiveness, one of the hardest things to do when we have been hurt, chastised, or singled out for our own weaknesses, whether by God's chosen leaders, our families, our co-workers, or even ourselves. We need to be better at recognizing our achievements and those of others, allowing ourselves and them to repent, and see them as God sees. This is much easier said than done.
This week we have been studying John 7-10 through Come Follow Me. My thoughts are on John 8:1-11 - the woman who was taken in adultery. How did the Savior exemplify Charity in this matter? What did the scribes and pharisees learn about having charity/forgiveness in themselves and other? What did the woman learn about all of the above?
Finally, back to Mormon, I love verse 36. Thousands of years before I ever came to this earth, Mormon was praying for me.
"...I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity."
Mormon was not just worried about his immediate family, friends, and co-workers. He was trying to see thousands of years into the future of his family, friends, and co-workers. He prayed that God would give us grace. I am left with the question - am I receiving that grace he prayed for or am I ignoring it?
So many things to ponder. Though my thoughts, actions, words, and life are pulled in so many different directions, I know that God hears us when we pray. I know He answers, we just have to listen, see, and feel His response. Sometimes we have to be humbled to accept His answer over our own.
I hope you are pondering.
Our week -
It has been an eventful one.
SnackPack and Lady Hawkins have been wrapped up in finals all week. We have seen a little of that here within the walls of our home. We have hoped and prayed for their success.
The Queen and I have just done the work thing, the living thing, the life thing this week. It is always full of surprises. The Queen took the end of the week off to join SnackPack on his drive North. They both spent some time with family. It sounds like it was good.
The Professor spent the week being adored. I was amazed by the sweet adornments she received.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo received some good news this week. An opportunity was offered and excepted, it just does not start for 3 weeks. They will continue looking and hoping for relief in the interim.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are actively pursuing a move further South. Finals are done, so now it is on to the next adventure.
SnackPack spent the week finaling and hanging with as many friends as he could before heading North for the summer. After spending time with family, he is now trying to settle in. We look forward to hearing of his adventures.
Love you all. Have a wonderful Sabbath!
I am trying hard to get an early start on my post this morning, my fingers just don't seem to be working the way I want them to. I am also having a hard time focusing my thoughts. I found myself being divided by so many different matters in my life that you may find this post to be more of a ramble than normal.
Let's start with my verses of pondering Ether 12:35-36
"Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly."
"And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity."
Again I am amazed at how these verses seem to fit right in with other events and points of study this week. Even more, I am amazed at the words of Mormon. He is testifying of what he knows from the things he has witnessed. He witnessed them in our time.
"...if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness,..."
We always talk of charity as being the love of God. We seek to obtain this love and treat others with this love. My question is...what does this love entail? What makes this love complete?
In this small line of words, Mormon knows what will or can be the cause of not having charity. He knows that the Gentiles need to have charity because of the weakness of his people, the weakness of others, the weakness of the people around us.
Over and over again, we have heard from the chosen leader of God's kingdom here on earth at this time that none of us are perfect, themselves included. We all have weakness. We all have faults. Hopefully we are all trying to repent of those short comings and be better each and every day, but at the same time we are being instructed here to not let the weaknesses of others send us down a path of darkness.
This shouts to me this week that part of charity is also forgiveness, one of the hardest things to do when we have been hurt, chastised, or singled out for our own weaknesses, whether by God's chosen leaders, our families, our co-workers, or even ourselves. We need to be better at recognizing our achievements and those of others, allowing ourselves and them to repent, and see them as God sees. This is much easier said than done.
This week we have been studying John 7-10 through Come Follow Me. My thoughts are on John 8:1-11 - the woman who was taken in adultery. How did the Savior exemplify Charity in this matter? What did the scribes and pharisees learn about having charity/forgiveness in themselves and other? What did the woman learn about all of the above?
Finally, back to Mormon, I love verse 36. Thousands of years before I ever came to this earth, Mormon was praying for me.
"...I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity."
Mormon was not just worried about his immediate family, friends, and co-workers. He was trying to see thousands of years into the future of his family, friends, and co-workers. He prayed that God would give us grace. I am left with the question - am I receiving that grace he prayed for or am I ignoring it?
So many things to ponder. Though my thoughts, actions, words, and life are pulled in so many different directions, I know that God hears us when we pray. I know He answers, we just have to listen, see, and feel His response. Sometimes we have to be humbled to accept His answer over our own.
I hope you are pondering.
Our week -
It has been an eventful one.
SnackPack and Lady Hawkins have been wrapped up in finals all week. We have seen a little of that here within the walls of our home. We have hoped and prayed for their success.
The Queen and I have just done the work thing, the living thing, the life thing this week. It is always full of surprises. The Queen took the end of the week off to join SnackPack on his drive North. They both spent some time with family. It sounds like it was good.
The Professor spent the week being adored. I was amazed by the sweet adornments she received.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo received some good news this week. An opportunity was offered and excepted, it just does not start for 3 weeks. They will continue looking and hoping for relief in the interim.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins are actively pursuing a move further South. Finals are done, so now it is on to the next adventure.
SnackPack spent the week finaling and hanging with as many friends as he could before heading North for the summer. After spending time with family, he is now trying to settle in. We look forward to hearing of his adventures.
Love you all. Have a wonderful Sabbath!
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