About two weeks ago I was privileged to give a Priesthood blessing to a woman at my work. I've been reflecting on the trials she has been given in her life and in so doing I have felt so very grateful for all my many blessings but also for the many "thorns" I have been "given"! (See 2 Cor. 12:7)
In explaining this woman's situation I think it's worth noting that she lost a son a few years back just after his mission. She also lost her mother within the last year. And if all that wasn't enough, a few weeks ago, this woman's husband passed away unexpectedly in his sleep.
She had, understandably, been away from work for a couple of weeks and her first few days back were extremely hard! She asked for a blessing and I was honored to give her one. Without going into too many details, I would like to share just a few thoughts.
During the blessing I was deeply moved. I couldn't stop thinking about the perfect love of our Savior! I had this feeling that the Lord gives us trials BECAUSE He loves us, not because He doesn't; and often times those trials are very specific to our individual situations, strengths and needs! I couldn't help but feel that these trials were in some way a part of God's love.
This experience has also caused me to count my many blessings! I have so many good things going for me and unfortunately I don't appreciate those wonderful things quite like I should. It's hard enough for most of us to recognize God's love when things are going great, but it is a true disciple that can see God's flawless and abiding love even through the deepest despair.
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Growth-Promoting Chastisement
I love reading the different epistles of Chief Captain Moroni. Particularly, I love the correspondence between Moroni and Pahoran. Moroni reprimanded Pahoran severely in one of his epistles. We all know how Pahoran responded: "And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart." (Alma 61:9) I love the fact that this man, the ruler and chief governor over all the land, was not only unpretentious in his reaction but was also overjoyed at Moroni's patriotism and greatness of heart. Such humility on Pahoran's part!
I have recently read a few noteworthy stories illustrating this brilliant attribute of humbly 'taking it'. One of my favorites is when Parley P. Pratt recalled an occasion when President Brigham Young chastened him and certain others for the governing of the westward migration. President Young wrote two letters of a reproaching nature, even accusing them of insubordination. Elder Pratt wrote of this situation, "I could not realize this at the time, and protested that in my own heart, so far as I was concerned, I had no such motive; that I had been actuated by the purest motives...." Later Elder Pratt was made aware that some of those scolded had motives that weren't as pure as his. He continued to say, "...yet I thank God for this timely chastisement; I profited by it, and it caused me to be more watchful and careful ever after." (Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, 341-42.) What fertile ground for retaliation on the guiltless Elder Pratt's part, yet he 'took it' and even more importantly he "profited by it."
These lessons learned from people like Elder Pratt and Pahoran without doubt precipitate serious self-reflection, especially when we know we're more prone to take offense instead of, as Elder Pratt so eloquently put it, "thank[ing] God for this timely chastisement..."; or to go as far as rejoicing, as Pahoran did, in the greatness of our offender's heart.
I have recently read a few noteworthy stories illustrating this brilliant attribute of humbly 'taking it'. One of my favorites is when Parley P. Pratt recalled an occasion when President Brigham Young chastened him and certain others for the governing of the westward migration. President Young wrote two letters of a reproaching nature, even accusing them of insubordination. Elder Pratt wrote of this situation, "I could not realize this at the time, and protested that in my own heart, so far as I was concerned, I had no such motive; that I had been actuated by the purest motives...." Later Elder Pratt was made aware that some of those scolded had motives that weren't as pure as his. He continued to say, "...yet I thank God for this timely chastisement; I profited by it, and it caused me to be more watchful and careful ever after." (Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, 341-42.) What fertile ground for retaliation on the guiltless Elder Pratt's part, yet he 'took it' and even more importantly he "profited by it."
These lessons learned from people like Elder Pratt and Pahoran without doubt precipitate serious self-reflection, especially when we know we're more prone to take offense instead of, as Elder Pratt so eloquently put it, "thank[ing] God for this timely chastisement..."; or to go as far as rejoicing, as Pahoran did, in the greatness of our offender's heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
