Choice.

One of the greatest blessings our Heavenly Father gave us is our Agency, or our right to choose. All through life we make decisions some small, like what to have for breakfast, and others quite large, like what to do for a career. These choices really show us who we are and will be. For instance, the small choice of not doing homework leads to choosing that repeatedly. This will eventually lead to poor grades, which will ultimately limit career choices. Choices of spiritual matters are even more important, because “I can’t stress too strongly that decisions determine destiny. You can’t make eternal decisions without eternal consequences.” (Thomas S. Monson, Prophet. As Quoted by Elder Randall K. Bennett) When we look at these choices with that eternal perspective things get more clear and we can better see what we really want for ourselves. We must always realize that although we can make our choices the consequences are naturally connected, we don’t choose those. “My dear brothers and sisters, your eternal destiny will not be the result of chance but of choice. It is never too late to begin to choose eternal life! (Elder Randall K. Bennett) If you want it, Choose it. I love the scripture in Joshua 24 which reads: “choose you this day whom ye will serve; …but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. (v.15) So let’s all make our choice, and let it be to Serve God!

Trials

I was reading the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees (Jacob 5, The Book of Mormon) the other day, which sometimes is a stumbling block for many of us. But I learned something that is pretty amazing to me, although it may not be the main message of this allegory but a good message nonetheless. In verses 20 – 22 it shows the Master/Lord of the vineyard (God) showing his servant a branch which he had hid in the “poorest spot in all the land of [the Lord’s] vineyard”. The servant wondered why this spot was chosen, and the Lord says “Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit.”

On the other hand look at verse 25 where the Lord of the vineyard shows a branch placed in a good spot of ground (later in the chapter he describes it as "a good spot of ground; yea, even that which was choice unto me above all other parts of the land of my vineyard" v. 43). This tree was nourished just like the rest but only part of it brought forth good fruit. It had some things handed to it, had it easy.

What I was thinking of today as I read this scripture is that though sometimes we feel that God has handed us a "poor spot of ground" (trials, or a "hard" life), and it’s just too much to deal with. Sometimes we seek to "counsel" God and tell him we don't deserve our situation. We observe others with not so poor ground, and think that we have been unjustly dealt with. We do not know what God knows, great things are in store for those that follow His counsel. He nourishes all of his children just sometimes we don’t recognize all the blessings he gave us. Some of us don’t accept blessings either so therefore we let ourselves start to whither away. What we need to focus on is what we can do to bring forth good fruit. Strive to do what the Lord our God asks and requires of us. Lay up treasures in heaven! Trials are always for our good and will help us to become better. God knows our potential and he lets us struggle so that we may grow.

Grateful.

What does it mean to be grateful? When I think of grateful I think of all the things I am thankful for, or appreciate, in my life, which are many different things. The dictionary defines grateful as Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful. At the times in my life when I feel on top of the world I could tell you of some things I am grateful for, but when I am under a great trial I tend to forget my most basic blessings and dwell on the tough things. There is a family that has forever changed my life. They were going through more than anyone else that I have personally known, health problems, no money to support family, potential incarceration, and many other things. They were telling us of these problems and how desperate their situation was and increasing worse all the while. This family told how they were about to lose all that they needed, and I am talking needs, but then this man whose soul weighed heavy began to tell us of his blessings.

When I looked at their state I thought that this family had nothing left to be grateful for but, he told how much he loved his wife and kids, how the Lord had already thus far kept him from death when circumstances wouldn’t have allowed if not for a divine miracle. They shared their love for God and his eternal purposes. This family was in the depths of despair and could name blessings that all too often we take for granted. Let us all take a look at what we have and thank God for each and every one of them. Did you just breathe? Welcome to another blessing. Are you wearing something? What a blessing that is. Can you read? Count it. Count your many blessings. (hymn 241, count your blessings) There is too much wrong in this world not to remember the good things that God provides.