Monday, October 19, 2009

A Day Late, A Post Short

Sorry, I think I might need to just switch to Mondays for my posts. Our Sunday schedule has changed drastically and I no longer have a couple hours by myself. I don't mind it at all because it's a result a spending more time with my family.

But it's not good for Sunday posts here.

Is everyone okay with a switch to Monday? If not, then feel free to write a post for me to publish on Sunday because I think that's the only way you'll get it. Thanks!

Okay, so for this week's topic. I've been thinking about Nattie's suggestion from a while ago a lot and just trying to think what I could say that might be insightful. But I'm not sure I've have much to add to it, so I'm thinking just the reminder and opportunity for personal reflection will be what we need.

Here's what she said:

"Doing the simple things (read, pray, etc) allow the Lord to bless us as much as He can. Sometimes I think we sell ourselves short of His blessings by being lazy."

I'll give my little two cents and then let you ponder and share your insights. This reminded me of a moment of inspiration I had in Sunday School several years ago. We were discussing the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke in the New Testament.

I had always focused on the generosity of the father and the sweetness of the reunion. But on this day, some questions were asked that got me thinking about the older son. The one who stayed home and worked with his father. At first, things seem unfair that he did all the work, while his brother went off and spent his inheritance, and then their dad throws a huge party for the younger son when he gets home.

But that's when it hit me. The younger son had suffered quite a bit during his absence while the older was blessed to be with his father and in his care that entire time. So, even though it initially seemed unfair, it wasn't. The father wanted to bless them both as much as he possibly could, but the one who left removed himself from those blessings for a time.

Now the application, when I don't do the things I should (pray, study scriptures, listen to church leaders), Heavenly Father cannot give me the blessings He would like to. All I have to do is choose to do what He asks, to keep myself near Him, and He will bless me as much as I can.

And when I stray, like the Prodigal Son, He receives me with open arms when I return to Him and again offers those blessings.

Joy, of course, being a blessing He can always offer, no matter what trials I am facing in my life.

What about you? What do you notice when you are doing the "little" things? What are your thoughts on Heavenly Father's blessings?

4 comments:

Melissa said...

Well I guess I can be okay with a Monday post!
Thank you for all you do.

Christy said...

One of the talks in the recent LDS General Conference that really stood out to me was the one that talked about being committed to the little things and not getting casual in those committments.

I think it's so easy to let ourselves get casual in doing these little things and little by little the blessings slip away before you even notice.

I don't know how to be better at this but I know that I want to! So I have recommitted to my committments.

Amy said...

It is so so easy for me to get lazy and skip out on scripture study or meaningful prayers. It helps me though to make a scheduled time for it in my day. I recently started getting up a little earlier so that I can read my scriptures and pray before the day starts (i.e. before my kids are awake :)). I'm trying to be consistent at it, and it definitely helps that I have a set time to do it everyday. My whole day goes better when I get that done first.

natalie said...

I found your posts about your grandma incredibly helpful today at three in the morning...

thanks!