Hello Everyone!!!
Greetings from I'm-very-blessed-I-wasn't-washed-away-last-week-Colorado!!
Seriously, the weather this week was INSANE! One day I was eating lunch outside and tanning, and 2 hours later I'm running to my car because it was raining cats and dogs... and then the tornado siren went off... and then the flash flood warning txts kept coming to my phone... great tracting weather.... maybe not.... haha... rainy weather can be great cuz people will take pity and let us in when we are dripping wet... but in weather like that there is no way people would let us in because they think we are literally insane. Why would they let a crazy into their house?? so yeah.... I love it...
I really had to reevaluate my attitude last week... I was feeling a little discouraged that I wasn't seeing "miracles." well.... I decided I need to start trying to see the little tender mercies more every day and I will be reminded that God is there... and showing His love to me. He especially is showing me His love by letting me grow and struggle a bit. But He is always there with the strength and comfort when I seek.
Funny story... at dinner that crazy stormy day they had the news on and I saw little snippets of the destruction from the flooding up north in Boulder and stuff... and then this guy gets on and is talking about the rescue efforts being done. It was amazing! He said this is the biggest rescue effort made since hurricane Katrina... Hundreds of people have been transported by their efforts... so that was really great... and then he went into detail and said yesterday we rescued 500 people, and 200 pets of various species.... and then he said today we rescued 300 more people, and 100 pets of various species... ok... what's wrong with that picture here people? there are people waiting to be rescued, but they are saving pets? what ?? I just don't get it... But i'm glad those people's spoiled pooches are fine... sheesh... sorry I sound heartless... I love pets! I love cats, and love the dogs I've had growing up.... it just feels like our priorities aren't quite where they need to be.
My spiritual thought comes from my study of Brad Wilcox's talk "His Grace is Sufficient" I probably have mentioned it before but it is SOOO good I wanted to talk about it again! I love the analogy he gives of the piano player...
Christ's Grace and Atonement can be thought of a child and a mother who paid for her piano lessons.. because she paid the teacher in full, the mother then turns around and asks for practice. The child's practicing doesn't pay the teacher, or pay back mom for paying the teacher... but it shows mom the appreciation for the gift given. The child can use that gift and live a higher life.
So here we all are practicing. Some people get frustrated and quit when they mess up. When the child is practicing and hits a wrong note on the piano do we say that they aren't worthy to keep trying? No. Do we expect perfection while they are practicing? No. The ultimate goal is perfection, but all we are looking for is progress.
Are the only two options playing at Carnegie Hall or quitting? No! Don't give up. Please don't quit!
We are saved by our Savior's Grace, but He asks us to live the Gospel (faith in Him, repentance, baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End) So that we can be changed into the people that will be comfortable living in His presence. All of us will be resurrected! But it says in the scriptures "No unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God"... No UNCHANGED thing will want to. We aren't earning Heaven, we are learning Heaven.
So that was my paraphrasing of some of Bro Wilcox's thoughts on Grace. Absolutely beautiful. If only the world understood Grace. If only I understood Grace more... then I wouldn't get so discouraged, but ever be full of Hope that He lives, and loves us, and has given us His Grace which enables us to go Home.
My invitation to you all is to read that talk (read it again if you already have) here is a link:
I love you all so much. I miss you a ton. Really... a lot. But I'm happy serving the Lord! I can't believe I've been gone 4 months already!
Onward Christian Soldiers!!!
From me to you, Kinzie Lou
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