“This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.”
― Howard W. Hunter
I find it interesting that we become "warm and fuzzy" around the Holidays. We post wonderful quotes and photos. We make us seem incredible and happy! But why don't we do this year round? It's not that such quotes are not uplifting; it is sometimes we are so weighed down with the weight of responsibility and fatigue, it takes more than a reading to help us to our feet again.
The world has been pulling us every which way over the past months and sometimes it is confusing to know where to speak, where to go, and who to communicate with. Loyalty and honesty seems to have become the traits of the past. Lines that never would be crossed, are crossed without a moment's hesitation of who it will hurt or the outcome of such actions.
Discernment in our words and deeds are important. Don’t just run into prayer with your checklist in hand and pray, “Dear God, please help me here, bless this, bless that, protect them, help me have a good day. Amen.” Spend time listening. You may not hear anything, but it’s important to remember that prayer is designed as a dialogue with God, not a monologue. I have learned to seek wise counsel; God doesn’t speak exclusively to me. He also speaks to those around me. The Book of Proverbs talks a lot about the necessity of seeking wise counsel. When the Holy Spirit speaks to me, seek someone out, a spouse, a mentor, a parent (I have a wise co-worker), and get their input. Say something like, “I think the Spirit is telling me to do this or think this, am I crazy?” God many times affirms through the wise counsel of those around me.
"Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude." This is what I am doing over the Holidays and I am going to express it (or attempt to) through the entire year. Some us are dealing with illness, some have sons that are deployed and far away in the military, some have no food, no home, no, employment, the death of loved ones. "Warm and fuzzies" don't cut it. We deal with the Holidays in our own way, mostly in silence. This is why I send cards or a small token of care on a porch. Knowing that I shared of bit of cheer when I need the uplift, can make the difference in my day, or even in the moment. I allow the Spirit to guide me even if it is to the porch of a indifferent family member or friend.
"Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.” Everyone here knows how much I love Mother Nature and all that is included with it, I am grateful for her wonder and her science. Grief is carried to wide open, beautiful places where I can feel the closest to Heaven.
I am grateful for a God who embraces my imperfections along with my goodness, understands my grief, my silence, and my perserence and faith. He hears, understands, loves, and prays with me! Even if my mood isn't the best!
The December blessings are the best!
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