Moving On

Today my oldest daughter is graduating from high school. This is a great accomplishment! My little girl is growing up and moving on. Today I will attend a ceremony that recognizes this achievement.  Recognition is important with so many things in life.

In our own lives we have many things we need to graduate from. Life moves forward, with or without us, and each year we age a little older, but hopefully a little wiser. Memories are wonderful but are only memories. There is always another tomorrow to think about.

But sometimes it is hard to let go of old habits and old ways. We stand still instead of moving forward when we are stuck in the ruts of our problems and our past.

One reason for this is we often foster those things which fester by giving them too much attention. We give our problems a life of their own when we dwell on them, focus our time and energy on them, and when we endlessly bring them to the attention of others. Ignoring problems may not make them go away, but obsessing over them and favoring them certainly will not either.

Some of our most difficult trials are those we really brought on ourselves. We can curse God and say "why me," or "how could you let this happen" when we really should be asking ourselves these questions. The consequences of earlier mistakes often bring on painful repercussions. These trials have some redeeming qualities, however, we often learn from these bitter pills not to make the same mistakes again.

Perhaps another definition of forsaking sin is to let go of the memory of the sin, the worry about the sin, the drama surrounding the sin, and even the reason for the sin in the first place. Letting go and moving on is as much about letting go of the emotional attachments as the sinful acts and practices. Putting the past in the past requires putting the past in the past for good.

Sufficient reflection and remorse should eventually come to an end. The grieving process has a grieving period, and when that period is over we must put our shoulder to the wheel and push forward. To get closure we will usually need God's help, but when we cast our burdens on His shoulders, His grace is sufficient to lift us out of the darkness, and help us find closure and peace.

Congratulations to McKenna for graduating! Here's to a bright and wonderful future!

Sweet Gifts

Here is a deep question I want you to ask yourself. Is it possible to be happy with something and never lose interest or get tired of it? Some say do something enough times and you will eventually get bored of it. Try something enough times and you eventually will get tired of it.

I disagree. I believe the answer to the question is that you can permanently love something and never get tired or bored of it, even if you use it every single day. It's called contentment when you are so satisfied with something you never lose your desire for it. You are content because you value it, and it's value is high enough and your values strong enough that you will always cherish it.

I love milk. I probably drink it every day. I have all my life and I never get tired of it. I love a certain pillow, I have a favorite hat, I have a favorite Chinese restaurant that I have loved for 32 years. And these are material things, not people or things of a spiritual nature. It is possible to be happy and content with many things in this life, every day, every month, every year. The ties that bind us to people and to God can be eternal. We have the capacity to love God and others forever. And if we are righteous we will be happy and content for all eternity.

If you are bored of something, or have fallen out of love with someone, or have gotten tired of going to church, this says more about you than what has become fleeting to you.

A true testimony of the gospel grows and expands, it doesn't diminish over time. The love of Christ increases as we love and bless others. Relationships can become richer, with time, when our hearts are set on the things that matter most.

We have all been so excited to tell someone something that we could hardly stand it. Whatever the announcement was, it is practically impossible to describe the happy feeling that filled us. The Easter message does that for me. The meaning of life is clearer because I know my Savior lives. Of all the things I could ever post, this ranks above them all. He lives!

Easter morning this year I was not with my three sweet girls. I had no Easter gifts for them this year but I did had one gift I was able to share with them. I have a testimony of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. I know He lives. I too can testify He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. I know that He ransomed me from all my sins and has given His blood and life for me. I know that He healed the sick, raised the dead, and taught the word and will of His father. I am grateful to be a follower of Him and to my last breath I will testify of Him. The gospel has changed my life, has given me hope and purpose. All mankind are free to believe what they choose to believe, but I choose to worship Christ.

Today I stopped what I was doing and thanked my Heavenly Father for the sweetest gift I could have ever imagined having the priceless opportunity to marry Shannon. I am truly blessed by God to have found this amazing woman, to have fallen so deeply in love with her and to know that in just a few short weeks I will be by her side. With all that has gone wrong in my life, Shannon makes life so right. I love her with all my heart!

There is a different kind of tears that well up in our eyes and softly stream down our checks, inconspicuous and unannounced, when touched by the Holy Ghost in such a way that it invokes a sacred joy known only to those who recognize and feel it. If you find yourself weeping in such a way, stop and thank your Heavenly Father for the sacred gift of such an amazing outpouring of His Spirit. Your feelings and tears are evidence that you have, in fact, connected with Him.