Why is that?

I thought it had been like a month since I've read, so I'm relieved to see it's "only" been 2 weeks.  And we are still in the same month!  So, that's good.

I have just sucked!

I think I must hate it! 

Which is not true!  I've loved the results of scripture reading.  When I read, I feel so good about myself.  As I ponder and think about what I am reading, I feel the Spirit and it effects me all day long.  I am sure of this and I've seen this. I have experienced it over and over again in these last few months.   So, do I like to read?  NO! 

The first week of sinfulness, I would think about scriptures as I was crawling into bed and think "Not tonight.  I deserve to read a novel and relax."  And it was AMAZING how quickly I forgot all about scriptures.  Many days I didn't even think about it at all.  After all those days (months, even!) of working on establishing it as a habit and Poof!  I could forget all about it just like that.

I can't remember the details now, but at church yesterday, someone said something about how you have to keep working at things.  And I thought, "O.K., I'll start reading again."  So, I read yesterday and then rewarded myself with a nap.  : )   And, no, I didn't fall asleep while reading.  A real life read, and then a nap!

Love means forgiveness

So, I went to a funeral last month of a father who had died long after his children were grown to adulthood. Relationships with dad hadn't always been great, but things had improved quite a bit in the few years before his death. Alma 45:41--those who dies in Christ will be happy.

One of the kids was talking about growing up with Dad and said,

"There were good times and bad times. 

The good times made us laugh and the bad times made us strong."  

That stayed with me.  When you are a kid, things seem to be more black and white, good or bad.  But, as you age and mature, you are able to see all the shades in between.  You might love people that aren't always nice or good, and yet you love them despite of their faults.  That is the forever loves that lets us keep loving spouses that hurts our feelings or children that disappoint us.

"Jeremiah 31:3  The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, I have loved thee with an everlasting love."

As mere humans, we don't always have that ever lasting love that God has towards us.  When enough hurt, anger, or fear pile up, we sometimes choose to stop loving someone.   I've read so much about God's never ending love for us, his constant mercy towards us, his ability to forgive and forget over and over.  I haven't developed all of those traits perfectly.

I thought putting this quote from the funeral into practice would go a long ways in helping us keep our family together with a forever love.  Instead of letting the bad times break us, we can choose to see that they made us strong.  Made us survivors.

As a novice to the whole scripture STUDY idea, I keep getting amazed at how they really do talk about everything you might have a question about.

I think Matthew 15:5 is talking about kids acting like they are the gift to the world.  (Correct me if you disagree with what that verse is saying).  That is what I thought about when I read that.  How kids will act like we, as parents are so lucky to have them in our lives.  Naturally we are, but we owe that gratitude to God, not really to the kids.  They really didn't have a whole lot to do with it!

The funny thing is, is it's us, as the parents that give kids this sense of entitlement.  Cause we are always saying How lucky we are to have them and how much they've blessed our lives  and how sad we would be without them, etc. etc.  Of course, all these things are good and it gives our kids a nice sense of security and love and all that stuff.  But, it can also go so far the other way that they turn into this whole "My mommy will do this for me because she loves me," and don't really give full appreciation to the sacrifice parents are making for their children. (So, like what, parents who don't bow to their child's every wish don't love their children?)

Do you get what I am talking about?

After verse 5, Matthew goes on talking about honoring our parents and not being hypocrites and saying something that our heart doesn't feel.   We have to be careful not to raise children that are so self centered and really do think it IS all about them and that the rest of us exist to serve them.

Did you think that after reading Matthew 15:5?

Any ideas?

Anyone know what Matthew 23:18 means?  How you can swear over the alter, but not over the gifts on the alter.  What is that about?

Apparently, talk is not cheap

So, we are going to my parents for Family Home Evening.  A few months ago, something was said somewhere by someone that prompted me to think that it would be a good idea to have FHE with my parents sometimes.  It could be a good experience for them, my kids, and everyone.  Since my dad has a hard time moving around, I suggested we come to their house each time.  They can do the lesson and I'll bring refreshments.  That allows  my parents to give us "gentle correction" on whatever subject they think we need and also ensures that we actually have a yummy dessert at least once a month.  (I keep a bag of candy bars as my fall back dessert for FHE and use it frequently.)

We've only done it once so far, but it was great! My mom told a family story from her side of the family and we all enjoyed the 1.5 hours we spent together visiting, etc.  Unfortunately, this time, my mom asked if she could make the dessert and we do the lesson.  She has a recipe she really wants to try.    Naturally, I had to say yes.  Even though I have loved the idea of just showing up without having to do a lesson.  (Lazy in all kind of areas, I know.)

So, I pull out some notes from a General Conference discussion we had in church a couple of weeks ago.  By the title of President Monson's talk "The Divine Gift of Gratitude" I had written "unlocks the door to heaven." I had also written "Loaves and fishes---give thanks and then miracles occur.  Thank you helps others feel love."

Over the years, I have been very surprised to learn that apparently, my love language is words of affirmation.  That seems so silly to me!  After all, talk is cheap!   Aren't I smart enough not to get taken in by the silver tongue?  Well, hopefully, I can discern between sincerity and mere flattery, but I don't know.  Even when I know they are lying, I still like it.  : )  

I actually share a scripture with God.  D&C 59:21 (umm, I added my own name myself)   "And in nothing doth man offend Beth save those who confess not her hand in all things."  If you think of Offending in the way that we use it now a days---like hurting someone's feelings--then that is so true for me.

Relationships with my family have actually suffered when I don't feel appreciated.  The reverse is true also.  My heart melts when I am thanked or praised.  "You make the best sandwiches."  "You are the best mom ever."  "I am so lucky I married you."  Well, I haven't heard the last one yet, but I know it is true!  : )
In fact, I tell him so regularly!  As in, "You are SO LUCKY to have married me!"  (teehehehehe!)

Lest I regress, back to the subject at hand---Gratitude.

So, I am using the story of the loaves and the fishes from Matthew 15:32-38 and pointing out Jesus gave thanks first and THEN the miracle occurred.  I have done up a little chart for each of them with clip art pictures, so each night at dinner we can go around and say (and write) something we are extra grateful for that day.  No using the same thing twice.  

After the Lesson---
The lesson went fine.  I scanned two of the lists so you can see what I'm talking about.  It will be their job to come up with one thing per day to write one there for the rest of the month. I covered up their names for privacy.  : )

 

Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive?  Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings,  but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.   Thomas S. Monson Oct. 2010

B+

I've read 13 out of the last 15 days.  That's an 87% success rate.  Considering I'm coming from a 0% on this  (I think that is even lower than an F-, yeah?) that is pretty darn amazing.  : )   Maybe I can keep that stat for the rest of the year.....

That would be totally cool.

A feel good

So, I just read a comment that someone else is "trying to follow my example" and read their scriptures more.  That's totally cool, yeah?

I have to say though, this getting into the habit of things really sucks sometimes.  I hate it when I get into bed and then remember I haven't read yet.  Then I have to decide--should I read or just skip it?  I try to at least do a 10 second read (I think I wrote about that earlier) but sometimes I just try to skip the whole thing.

It's the  whole "It's the end of the day and I deserve to read a novel" mentality.

I just read now while I am over at a friends holding babies.  Technically it is Thursday, but I am counting it for Wednesday cause I obviously didn't read on Wednesday.   At about 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, I learned I was coming over here at midnight to hold babies so I went to lay down and take a "little nap".  And as I'm getting into bed, I remember my scriptures.  And, I'm like NO WAY!  I want to sleep.  So, after my little nap, I come over here.  So, I'm still considering it wednesday.   After I go home and go to bed, I'll have to read when I wake up to get credit for Thursday.  Aughh!  How many days have I vowed to read "first thing" and then end up doing the should I or shouldn't I quandary at bedtime?

To REALLY trust in the Lord

I've been thinking (and learning) a lot about trusting in the Lord lately.    I think I have greatly underestimated it.  We talk about "trusting in the Lord" all the time.  It is easy to say or consider when things are going good.  Sometimes I think we believe that if we do trust in the Lord that things are going to get better soon.  When they don't, then we start doubting.   But, there are some Great Scriptures about trusting.  Here are some I've seen lately that I really like.

Read this one from Isaiah slowly and picture it in your mind:  

Hearken unto me, which are borne by me from the belly and are carried from the womb...I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you.

Even when things are bad,  He is still carrying you!  The next one I put my name in--ignore that part and use your own name.  It makes it cooler.

Yet now hear, O Beth, my servant; whom I have chosen:  Thus saith the Lord that made thee and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee: 

Fear not, Beth...for I will pour water upon her that is thristy, and floods upon the dry ground:  I will pour my spirit upon they seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:  And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water.  

I don't know when I read this first, but I came across it again tonight.  In the margin I have written "He will pour out His Spirit on our family like water on dry ground."  Think of the visual-----imagine His spirit pouring down on Shelbie and your family.  As you said once---you see it happening in other families and wonder why can't it be your family?  Why can't it?  It can be.  Trust in the Lord! 

At church yesterday, our Bishop said that if we are doing what is right and still aren't feeling "the power" then we just need to rely on Heavenly Father and trust in Him to send the power. Be still and wait on the Lord.    He quoted how Alma and his people had their burdens made light.    So I looked it up---

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea the Lord did strengthen them that could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.    And it came to pass that so GREAT WAS THEIR FAITH and their PATIENCE that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying:  Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

So, while I was looking for this scripture that my Bishop had mentioned, I accidentally found this one. the one above is about Alma, but it is IN Mosiah.  Sneaky.  But this one, IN Alma,   I thought  is really good too and brings it all full circl---

Alma 33:23--And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son.

See how it all comes back to our relationship to God?!  It is by leaning on him, accepting His son's Atonement, following His commandments, etc. etc. that we are strengthened and given joy.    If we aren't feeling His Spirit everyday, we need to examine our lives and see if something is amiss (either sins needing repentance or sins of something we aren't doing that we should).  If everything is good in our life, then we just need to hang in there.  It will come.  

Isaiah 55:10 & 11

If you are ever feeling overwhelmed by your calling or inadequate in preparing a talk or what to say to a wayward child, read Isaiah 55: 10-11.

Just like the rain that hits the earth is not wasted, when you are on the Lord's errand and letting His spirit guide you, your words will benefit their intended person.