Gifts vs Relationship

I was talking with a friend about Mother's Day and it seems that every mother and family approaches Mother's Day differently. 

She told me that she really doesn't care about getting gifts from her children; it's more about the relationship she has with them. 

That made me realize that is exactly how God feels.

Sometimes my prayers, scripture reading, and going to church feel like gifts I'm giving to God. 

What God really cares about is the relationship that I have with Him. 

How do I create that relationship? Prayers, scripture reading, and going to church.

But I need to make sure those are ways for me to get closer to God, not just a checklist or a gift.

Insufferable

I've been guilty lately of getting irritated with others whining and entitled-ness.

With people throwing pity parties for themselves and thinking the world is against them.

It's annoying.

Then last night I had the thought come to me, "they don't need to be judged, they need to be loved".

God speaks to me in short phrases that if I listen, I'm able to completely reverse my thinking. 

I believe another word for that reversal is repentance.

And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.     Moroni 7:45

I'm grateful for the charity that God and others show me when I'm insufferable.

Looking Ahead

I'm the kind of driver that likes to anticipate.

I watch the opposite traffic light to prepare for when my light turns green.

And I'm constantly checking my mirrors to try and see who's coming and going around me.

One time, when I was getting ready to merge into traffic from a stopped position, I ended up hitting the car in front of me.

I had been watching for when I could go and forgot that it wasn't my turn.

It's a lesson that I try to teach my kids.

Don't just anticipate - look at what's in front of you.

I have realized that it's not just a driving lesson.

There are times when I am so focused on the future and what is ahead, that I forget to look around and see what is happening right in front of me.

Looking ahead is good.

Seeing and being in the present is more important.

Truth

" And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."  Moroni 10:5

"What experiences have you had when the spirit has shown you truth?"

This was the question I asked during our family's morning scripture study.

The answer that came to my mind surprised me.

Earlier that morning, during my personal prayer time, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the family I grew up in.

I have fantastic siblings. 

And two incredible parents that raised me in the gospel and taught me so much by example.

We definitely all have "issues" and don't get along perfectly.

But, each of my brothers and sisters is remarkable and has lived through unique and amazing experiences. 

I have learned so much from them and continue to be blessed by their examples.

As I had these feelings of gratitude and amazement, I realized that the Holy Ghost was showing me the truth of "these things".

The surprise wasn't that I love my family.

It was that I had always thought being shown truth was just about figuring out right vs wrong, or good vs bad.

But that morning, I learned that truth can be known through expressing gratitude!

God is so good.

Choice Experience

Next week I start a new job.

It's been a journey to get here.

I wasn't planning on applying for the job.

My work was finally starting to feel really good.

One day, as I was driving with my husband, I said, "By the way, I'm going to apply for that job."

I hadn't planned on saying that.

But, as soon as I did, I knew that it was right.

So I applied for the job, but didn't care if I got it.

During one of my prayers I felt as if God was asking me if I wanted the job.

My response was, as always, "I want whatever you want for me."

Except, that's not what He asked.

He wanted to know what I wanted.

It was my choice.

That was harder.

It made me think about it more and make decisions.

I realized that I did want the job because of the growth and learning that would come from it.

And I knew that God would take care of any fears or doubt that I had about starting over.

Even after making that decision, I still felt it would be fine either way.

Because I went through that "living discussion" with the Lord, I was able to have the peace I needed when I was offered the job.

It is good to want to do the Lord's will.

But, the whole point of the plan of salvation is to make choices to become more like Him.

And to have experiences to teach us and help us grow.

God helped me learn that by asking me to choose.

I will always choose God.

And I know that He will never leave me alone.