porches and sticks and stones

So, the last couple of weeks have been pretty hard. In fact, kind of lousy. We have a lot of irons in the fire, and some of them are getting burned and some are not getting an even roasting, so there has been quite a bit of stress. It is interesting to observe how our lives are so completely impacted by others' actions, even when we are making good choices.


Remember that old saying about "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words can never hurt me"? It's a big lie. Not that I didn't know that already, but that fact was re-emphasized in my life recently, and it is taking me a while to let it go. I am not angry at the source of the hurt, just really sad. And the source spoiled what I had planned and hoped to be a fantastic experience.

Do you ever wonder if this is as good as it gets? Not speaking on an eternal perspective, just a regular everyday life perspective? Do you ever wonder if you will get through the current trials- not get through them with grace, but just survive them? And then, the guilt you feel for just surviving them overwhelms you as you contemplate how you have failed to optimize on the experience!

The other day I snuck into Adam's seminary class, in search of some peace and spiritual food. The lesson was on enduring to the end, and how several members of the early church got their feelers hurt and left the church. As I listened, the Spirit filled the room. Always, Joseph Smith's response to those who reviled him and then repented and sought forgiveness of him was one of peace and love. As he told WW Phelps"‘Come on, dear brother, since the war is past, / For friends at first, are friends again at last.’ ”*  WW Phelps went on to write 15 hymns, one of them being "Praise to the Man".



 As the students gathered around the piano to sing Praise to the Man, my heart began healing. This scripture  that we read that morning has been circling around in my brain all week: D&C 53:7- "And again, I would that ye should learn that he only is saved who endureth unto the end. Even so. Amen." 
 
Elder Bruce R. McConkie testified shortly before his death with these powerful words:"I know that my Redeemer lives; with Job I testify. “What though the ravages of disease destroy my body; what though I am slain by the sword of death—yet I know that he who bought me with his blood shall soon reign on earth and that “in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:26; see also Job 19:25.)

I am a witness that he was lifted up upon the cross of Calvary; that he was crucified, died, and rose again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, where, sitting on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, he now reigns in everlasting glory; and that he will soon come again among the sons of men.
I know that he is the one Mediator between God and man; that he brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of man; that his is a ministry of reconciliation whereby fallen man can be reconciled with his Maker. I know that salvation is in Christ and that only by faith in his name can we hope for the riches of eternity.
He is my Brother and Friend, but he is more. He is my Lord, my God, and my King, whom I worship in the full majesty of his Godhead and who will continue to be my Savior, my Redeemer, and my God through all the eternities that lie ahead."

And so I say again...I need to find the strength to endure with grace and peace. Only through the love of our Savior can I do so. Happily, I know that He will help me.

And today's funny:  A blonde chick knocks on the the door, and inquires of the home's owner if he has some odd jobs she could do to earn some money. Taking pity on her, he tells her that the porch needs to be painted and that all the supplies are in the garage. The price of $50.00 is agreed upon, and the girl goes in suearch of the paint and supplies. When the man returns to the home, his wife chides him for taking advantage of the girl, since the porch wraps all the way around the house. He merely shrugs  and goes abut his business.

2 hours later, the girl knocks on the door announcing that the job is done. Flabbergasted, the husband pays the $50.00, along with a &10.00 tip. As the girl turns from the door and walks away, she calls over her shoulder " oh,  and by the way, that wasn't a porch,it was a Lexus"!