Summer!!!

I started the blog about talents really believing I would get back to it.  Amazing how life can get in the way!!! Summer is in full swing and the living isn't easy.  I swear every day is filled to the brim with work, house work, yard work, and occassionally a little family fun.  Part of that family fun included my sisters all coming to town to visit!
I have a four sisters, each with varied talents.  Recently the sister closest to my age said she was not blessed with organization, that the second to the oldest got her share.  I am here to tell you - She received mine too!!! Talents aren't passed around evenly with each of us receiving the same one or even the same amount. 

And unto one he gave five talents,

to another two,

and to another one;

to every man according to his several ability;

and straightway took his journey.

Matthew 25:15

"To every man according to his several ablility"

Hmmm...several ability? Did you know that several doesn't just mean "a small number; though more than three"?

It also means various or seperate. 

"To every man according to his (seperate....various)....ability."

Our Lord knows each of us and our seperate abilities.  He gives talents to each of us according to what he knows we need in order to face the challenges in our lives.  Sometimes we think of just the physical talents, those that are visual like art, music, etc. I know those are important to the developing of our brains, add beautification to the world, and helps us feel and express the Spirit.  I also know the gifts of the Spirit are just as important for us to develop. 

I wonder if I can put that back into my sisters. The lists will be general and there is no way I can mention every talent and gift, but I hope to pull it back together with a few examples.

The oldest is a gifted musician, (granted she worked hard for it!)  She also has the gift of leadership, motherhood, and hard work. 

Number two is the one blessed with the organization skills.  She really is amazing, but I know she has worked to develop this talent also.  She also can make friends anywhere, and when she has made them, she is a true friend herself. 

Number three is artistic and creative.  She is gifted with her hands and shares her gifts with her family, neighbors and ward.  She is devoted to all she believes in and her testimony is unwavering.

Number four has a beautiful singing voice. She is intuitive and when she gives her heart, she gives it completely. 

Each sister has been given talents.  They aren't the same, but they enrich their own lives and the lives of those they love and come in contact with.  I have seen how these and other talents have helped them through trials, and enhanced their lives during times of peace.  I believe they were hand chosen.

The same is true for my own children.  Each of you have been blessed with talents according to your several ability.  They are meant to be developed and shared.

All of us are endowed with abundant talent, beauty, and ability. Our lack of productivity can never be blamed on a lack of raw material. Elder Richard L. Evans (1906–71) once wrote:

“We know of no one in life who isn’t an Important Person. We know of no man on the street (or in the gutter, for that matter) who isn’t a child of God with the same rights and with the same relationship to his Father in heaven as all the rest of us have.
“We know of no one, young or old, from infants to elderly individuals, whose past or whose potential we would want to appraise as being unimportant. We know of no one we might see in any public place—on subways or busses, or walking in shabby shoes—or any boy selling papers … who doesn’t have an inestimable, unknown potential, here and hereafter.”

Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Talents

I haven't written in almost a week.  Life has been busy with family, work, gardening, and new responsibilites.  Although I haven't written, I have been studying up for my next blog.  Today's post, (make that tonight's post since it is almost 11:30 p.m. and I am waiting for children to come home) could be considered a teaser.  First, if you are unfimiliar with the Parable of the Talents or it has been a while since you read it, then take a few minutes and read:
Matthew 25:14-30
Next, I want to share a thought for consideration. In a General Young Women's Broadcast, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley spoke concerning the potential of the Young Women...
(to my boys...I am sure your potential is just as magnificent!)
"For you, my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class... Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you... Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the Church."
Last request for this post:
Anyone who is willing (and yes,  you can comment anonymously) post a talent you know you have been given and rate on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the hightest, how you are doing with your stewardship of that talent.
More to come, or to be continued.....

Jesus once of humble birth...

This Hymn on pg. 196 may not be found in the Bible, but I believe the Hymns are Scripture.  They can speak to the soul on a different level and touch our Spirits even when we believe we are beyond feeling.  Each verse throughout this song presents comparisons about the life of Christ. The first column speaks of his trials and humility, the second his exalted state.

Humble birth - in Glory comes

Suffered grief and pain - now He reigns

Meek and lowly - the Great I Am

Bowed upon the Cross - Chariot is a cloud

Groand blood and tears - Appears in Glory

Rejected by his own - Now is their King

Forsaken - Exalted

Bore all things - free from burden

Today I am thinking of my own children's birth. The instant joy as their innocent forms were placed in my arms.  At that moment the world was at their feet, their young minds and spirits ready to learn all their Heavenly Parents and earthly parents had to teach them.

Even our Savior, Jesus Christ began his mortal life as an infant needing to grow and learn from earthly parents.  Even he had to start humble, to suffer and experience those times in life that teach meekness, and those moments when he felt low and alone, rejected, forsaken, and asked to bear trials, to bear ALL things. 
When we compare what he bore to what we are asked to endure, our path should appear relatively simple.  So why isn't it simple?  Why does the path become hard to follow?

Think how it would be to travel through the thickest part of the jungle.  If you had to clear the path yourself, the journey would become long and exhausting.  But if you followed a guide, one who cleared the path who was stronger and more experienced, you may even have time to enjoy the sights along the way. 
Christ has shown us that through humility - bearing all things with grace - meekness - we too can have glory.  Not the fleeting glory of the world, but glory with Him who reigns on high.

I know my kids are tired of hearing my council.

I know they think sometimes Church is long and exhausting.

While I may not be a strong guide, I am more experienced. 
Remember even Christ had to have earthly parents to teach him..

Still he is the guide whose footsteps you should follow.

His path is tried and sure.

Stomping out your own path may make you feel independent -
but it is also tiring, dangerous, and may not lead you to a safe and glorious place.
Ask yourself -

Where do you want your journey to take you?

How hard do you want to make it be?

Where will you turn for peace?

Will you receive his Glory?

Hunger and Thirst

Today is Memorial Day.  We have had an absolutely wonderful weekend at the Jones Family Reunion.  We missed those who were unable to come and honored those who we will not see again in this earthly life.  I think my belly has never been so full.  Why is it, when we plan get togethers, food is abundant and passes excess?! 
Sunday some of us attended church at the old hometown Ward.  The Missionaries serving in that area spoke, and I found myself jotting down ideas for today's blog. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:

for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Hunger's footnote asks us to look at the Topical Guide for the word Teachable.  There we find a list of suggested alternative keywords to search. I think it makes for a list of the qualities we must possess in order to be Teachable. We must

• Believe
• have a Contrite Heart
• and Humility
• be committed to Learning
• be Meek

One of the Missionaries who spoke gave another key element to being teachable.

• 
  
  Invite the Spirit 

Believe -

"...Be not afraid, only believe."  Mark 5:36

How much more simple or straightforward can He be....if we can "only believe" all he offers in his teachings. 

Contrite Heart -

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite...spirit, ...and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15

I know of no better teacher than our Savior, if we can possess a contrite heart, or heart that is repentant, he will dwell with us, teach us, and revive our weary hearts.

Humility

And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge... D&C 1:28

That almost sounds like a contradiction in terms - to be humble AND strong?  But when we are humble, we are teachable and able to receive knowledge from on high.  When I picture Christ and think of his attributes.  I can see that he is humble, yet strong.  He knows from whom all blessings flow, acknowledges his Father in all things, and is strong in his committment. 

Learning -

I have linked learning, I feel it is worth at least skimming though the passages of scripture listed there.  We must never stop learning!

Meek -
I recently touched on meek, so will only add -
The meek will he aguide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Psalms 25:9
Invite the Spirit -
None of this is possible without the Spirit who knows all things and testifies of truth.  When we pray specifically to feel the Spirit - it is like having Christ as our constant Professor in life. Do we hunger after righteousness the way we do Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes? S'mores around the family campfire? or do we thirst for Christ's teachings like we long for loved we seldom see or will not see on this side of the veil?  It may sound basic, but do we do it? 

Ye are the salt of the earth:

Graduation is tonight and my heart is full for many reasons.  I am faced with the future of my adult children, my own mortality, and changes in life I have no control over.  How is it possible I have three adult children? Where did the time go and where do I go from here?
I have skipped a few of the beatitudes, but Matthew 5:13-16 jumps out at me today as a message I could send to those I love. 

Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,
 but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
 but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

My dear childen, you will have many trials in your life, never let those trials dim your light or cause you to lose your savour.  You are of a chosen generation and must do better than your parents. Choose to be good for something, nothing is a lonely place to be . Take his image in your countenance and Glorify God with the works you choose to do as you head out into the world.  Such a better place to be than trodden under the feet of men.  You truly are the light of the world!