I've been thinking about time a lot lately. That's probably because I have oodles and oodles of it right now.
“Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for. And it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement. And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing."
That is a quote from Elder Richard L. Evans, and it can really help in crunch moments. Will I choose enduring happiness or mere amusement? It's a good question.
So, time is precious. We ought to safeguard it. But why?
I think it's tied up in the whole idea of Stewardship with a healthy dose of Consecration thrown in.
When we realize that this life is not ours, that it's a gift, and that we are entrusted with tasks of enormous responsibility, we are more likely to treat time nicely.
And as my friend Josh White just barely said, "Wasted Time is Wasted Personality."
It's true! You could be developing something about you.
So, Jarom. Next semester...I really want you to develop a lot of good habits. A lot of good time management habits! I want you to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and apply what you learn.
And I want you to realize that the key to self-growth is doing ONE THING different TODAY! And making a habit of it.
So, today... I will plan my time realistically and use it realistically.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Tragedy
Lately, I have been very afraid. What if my mother should die, or my father should die?
First of all, I think if either of them died, my real and immediate reaction would be rejoicing. They both are such good people, with such difficult, trying lives. I think of all the weight lifted off my mother's strong yet exhausted shoulders, or the suffocating pressure removed from my father's loyal yet tense mind, and I think of just how wonderful it will be for them to enter into that white light and the beautiful feeling of well done, my good and faithful servant. Thou has fought the good fight. Come now into my rest.
You see, the Savior cannot prevent all tragedy in this life. Tragedy, sorrow, hurt, is all a part of this life. But it's a necessary part. And I know that every prayer is effective, if not in preventing sorrow, then shielding us from hurt, from despair, from emptiness. The Savior is light and life and vibrance, and He can fill the emptiest of hearts, light the darkest off souls.
It requires a humble heart and a knee bended in prayer. It requires real determination and full, wholehearted surrender to the care of your Heavenly Father. But for these lofty prices, an even loftier gift of love and care are given.
One women lost her father at an early age, and experienced the Savior's protecting love. Now, instead of fearing the loss of her own children and husband, she says that "when I see them, I rejoice in the peace and knowledge that every sorrow, trial, and challenge in their lives can bring with it greater faith, new witnesses, and wonderful miracles. I rejoice in the profound certainty that when they need something beyond what my husband and I can give them, they will be protected, consoled, and saved, just as I was."
First of all, I think if either of them died, my real and immediate reaction would be rejoicing. They both are such good people, with such difficult, trying lives. I think of all the weight lifted off my mother's strong yet exhausted shoulders, or the suffocating pressure removed from my father's loyal yet tense mind, and I think of just how wonderful it will be for them to enter into that white light and the beautiful feeling of well done, my good and faithful servant. Thou has fought the good fight. Come now into my rest.
You see, the Savior cannot prevent all tragedy in this life. Tragedy, sorrow, hurt, is all a part of this life. But it's a necessary part. And I know that every prayer is effective, if not in preventing sorrow, then shielding us from hurt, from despair, from emptiness. The Savior is light and life and vibrance, and He can fill the emptiest of hearts, light the darkest off souls.
It requires a humble heart and a knee bended in prayer. It requires real determination and full, wholehearted surrender to the care of your Heavenly Father. But for these lofty prices, an even loftier gift of love and care are given.
One women lost her father at an early age, and experienced the Savior's protecting love. Now, instead of fearing the loss of her own children and husband, she says that "when I see them, I rejoice in the peace and knowledge that every sorrow, trial, and challenge in their lives can bring with it greater faith, new witnesses, and wonderful miracles. I rejoice in the profound certainty that when they need something beyond what my husband and I can give them, they will be protected, consoled, and saved, just as I was."
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