All the math

Sometimes we need to add things to our lives, and other times, the best thing we can do is subtract. This quote is so vital in the process,

Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies. But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you do so, the Holy Ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy.

As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless. As you embark upon and continue this lifelong process of consecrating your life to the Lord, the changes in your perspective, feelings, and spiritual strength will amaze you!

Russell M. Nelson, Spiritual Treasures October 2019

This quote identifies two important goals of mortality: to consecrate your life to the Lord and overcome the world. To succeed, President Nelson directs us to be intentional about subtraction.

Maybe you’re in a season of exponential demands. Perhaps you are in a season of multiplication, where you take on more responsibility or have another child. Or, you have to divide your time between heavy responsibilities. Perhaps you need to add something to your routine to make yourself stronger. No matter your season of life and its accompanying math, don’t forget the need for inspired subtraction.

Neighborly

Today our neighbor Shane saw that our driveway hadn’t been cleared since Richard was still at work, so he took the time to do it himself without announcement or fanfare. This isn’t the first time he has done this for us, and as always, I am so grateful for this good neighbor and friend.

So good.

I serve as a Sunday school teacher right now and I’m reading this excellent book as a supplement to my study of the Old Testament.

Also, this is very good. The hard cover, coffee table book, color edition is out of print, so I bought it used. Deseret Book will print a black and white paperback copy for around $30 but it isn’t the same experience as the original version.

I realize that my life and ideas don’t have the Sirens’ call of a TikTok video. As I read books like this, I grow less trendy, and more like those old men in the ward of my youth who couldn’t stop talking about the Abrahamic Covenant. I’m more aligned with them these days than any other mentors in my life, and I like that about myself.

This is also very good.

Rain + Sunlight

When we are young, we learn about rainbows.

Rain + sunlight = 🌈

We know the story of the Flood and the covenant that God made with Enoch and Noah. In the Bible, the rainbow is the token of that covenant. We know it so well that we might consider it a great story to tell children, but find little meaning in it for ourselves.

When I read a little deeper, though, I find a beautiful lesson about God,

The Lord’s tears for the wicked who will suffer are as the rain upon the mountains.

Likewise, when Enoch sees in vision the suffering of the wicked in the flood, he weeps and thinks that he will never be comforted.

The Lord weeps for the wicked, but He doesn’t want us to weep, but look to the atonement of His Son and rejoice. Will we allow Jesus Christ to carry the burdens of our sadness, fear, weakness, and sin?

Heaven’s tears are as the rain, and the Savior is the sunlight that can cut through our darkness.

A rainbow reminds me of the Lord’s covenant. It also reminds me of a God who weeps, who is just, merciful, and sends light to shine through the tears.

Tears + Light = 🌈

A just, merciful and loving God who weeps + the Light of Hope in Christ = A Fulness of Joy 🌈

Rejection

Mark’s photo of the Northern Lights from Bornholm, Denmark

Rejection is one of the greatest teachers in life. Mark is experiencing it as a missionary, and you can probably recall a time when you’ve been rejected. I think of a small rejection I faced just last week and ouch, it still hurts.

Rejection makes us see that we aren’t going to be chosen every time; we can’t all be the favorite; the gifts we prepare won’t always be appreciated; and sometimes, the precious things we share with people will be ignored.

Let’s remember that poor reception from others can’t obliterate our efforts. We haven’t failed if we have loved, sacrificed, and shown the courage to share. And if we are unable to accomplish the big things we hoped, let’s remember that our identity and our worth in God’s eyes have never been a matter of popularity, outward measures, or appearance.

…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

What can we do when we experience rejection? It’s tempting to get discouraged, feel like a victim, or become angry. But Jesus knows a lot about rejection, and he met it with love and truth, whatever the personal cost.

Today, I am going to keep facing the winds of possible rejection and keep loving, serving, and sharing. I also take comfort that in some things, such as temple work, we see things as they really are:

There is value in giving, even if we don’t see an immediate result.