Heroes

Today in Church we talked about heroes, so it got me thinking about who my heroes were/are and why. First here is the definition of hero: a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. From that here is my definition of hero: a person whom I admire for their noble qualities. The first person I remember being my hero was my Grandmother Hilda, I always felt like she accepted me no matter what, but also encouraged me to do my best and try new things. I also knew that she knew Our Savior and had a very strong testimony of Him and His gospel. Next would have to be my Grandpa Burbidge, even though he died when I was 5 and I don't remember him very well, I do remember watching him work in his carpentry shop out in back of their house and I know he was always a good worker and a good provider for his family. Grandma Burbidge, she was always kind and made beautiful quilts. Grandma Gehring, she was always such a hard worker and I always admired her gardening and crafting skills. Those are the heroes of my youth, and they are still my heroes now even though they have all passed away. Several years ago I found out about my Grandma's Grandma Ruth M Pack who had to leave her family behind to follow the Latter-Day Saints to Kirkland, Ohio and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I got to read about her life and I admire her courage and strength; she is one of my heroes. My mother is one of my heroes, she lives the gospel, teaches it to her children by example and by word, and she is just one of those people who has joie de vivre, and an energizer battery. There are many others in my life who have influenced me for good and set a positive example. I thank my Savior Jesus Christ for them, and for all my heroes. He is my Greatest hero.

willing to bear one another’s burdens

Mosiah 18:8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

This scripture always seemed heavy to me, like a huge responsibility. Today in church we had our Branch Conference, the Stake President mentioned this scripture in relation to a story about forgiveness and a man who had been severely abused for much of his life... and I finally got it. Bearing one another's burdens doesn't mean you/we/I have to "fix" everyone else's problems (I mean seriously could I even; really) or get anyone else to repent of their mistakes (this doesn't excuse us from crying repentance where appropriate, but we can't make anyone repent [that was Satan's plan]); it simply means I must be willing to forgive them when their problems and/or mistakes affect me, that way their burden of repentance is not made heavier by my additional burden of not forgiving them.

windmills

For a windmill to use the power of the wind it must stand still and turn in the direction of the wind, if it turns out of the path it loses the power. So it is with us, if we would have God direct our lives, we must quiet our wills and turn as His will directs us.

John 11: 25

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

I was listening to conference talks over again and Elder Amado mentioned this scripture in his talk, I suddenly realized that it is talking about more than just being resurrected, because we are all going to be resurrected, so why would we need to believe in Christ to be resurrected. The scripture says He is the resurrection (free to all) and the life: If we want the life; Eternal life, with God we have to believe in Christ. Interesting how you can hear a scripture all your life thinking you know what it means and then all of a sudden you just get it.

What if

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Many people are familiar with this scripture. I had a thought yesterday when I was a little bit frustrated with someone, what if that person was Christ, how would I be treating them, then I thought of that scripture and I realized that I should treat everyone as if they where Christ, it was easier then not to be frustrated. But during the day as I continued to think about this concept of actually treating everyone as if they were Christ I also realized that even thought it is a good thing to strive for, it is not going to be easy, but what good thing is. Later in the day as I mentioned the concept to my husband he said "Yeah but Christ isn't going to do bad things to you or treat you wrong and on and on, blah blah blah" My response to that is that you are only responsible for your actions, not what the other person is doing, so it doesn't matter what so in so is doing wrong you can still treat them right.

Baby steps

Just a personal insight I thought I would share in case it would help out anyone else. We all make mistakes, no... that is not the insight; I'm sure you've all figured that one out already.

Let me start with a poem by Shel Silverstein

Melinda Mae

Have you heard of tiny Melinda Mae,
Who ate a monstrous whale?
She thought she could,
She said she would,
So she started in right at the tail.

And everyone said,"You're much too small,"
But that didn't bother Melinda at all,
She took little bites and she chewed very slow,
Just like a little girl should...

...and eighty-nine years later she ate that whale
Because she said she would!!!

So we all make mistakes, they may be little ones at first, but if we don't do anything about them, they can turn into big problems. On the other hand, and this is the really neat part, it only takes just a little effort every day to keep on the straight an narrow path once you are on it... consistent sincere prayer, real scripture study and true repentance when you notice each little slip-up, that way you're not "eating a whale" you're just taking one bite at a time... baby steps.

I love Paul, he is such an inspiration to me. Here is one of my favorite scriptures: Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Life can get us down if we let it. It can beat at us until we can barely stand. There was an incident in Paul's ministry when he was stoned near to death, in fact the people who had stoned him thought he was dead and threw him out of the city. His friends picked him up and took him in and ministered to him. The next day he got up and went back to work. Incredible man. So when he talks about tribulations, he knows about tribulations. That's the thing though, we can take the bad and let it make us good, or we can take it and let it make us twisted and evil. The choice is ours. That is the secret to life ... We Choose.