Thanks for the "Radiation"

I start each day with a brisk walk along the Provo River with two friends. It begins my day right as I soak in the beautiful natural surroundings, listen to the birds and the rushing water, and enjoy the company of two amazing women. But one of my favorite things is that on the way back home we stop on a bridge for a morning meditation. First we face down stream and I think about jettisoning all the negative things that have accumulated in me and watching them float away downstream. I mentally rid myself of all the bad baggage and spend a few moments thinking about my Savior—the one who heals me. After that we turn around and face upstream. Then I think about being filled with good and positive things. I imagine that the water rushing toward me is flowing through me to cleanse and purify me—that it comes from the Fountain of Living Waters, Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful time that I look forward to every day. But this morning was extra special.

Usually as we walk onto the bridge, we space ourselves over about thirty feet of the bridge and then meditate, but this morning for some reason we ended up almost elbow to elbow in the middle of the bridge with me between my friends. As I meditated besides feeling the usual strength from the thoughts I was surprised by an empowering feeling coming from both sides of me. It was a radiation of love and goodness that seeped into me from my friends and it was so strong I could actually feel it warming me like sunlight.

It made me wonder how often others have influenced me in this way simply because of what they are. I think in the next life we are going to be surprised to find out how much other people actually helped us and encouraged us just by their presence. It is a very real thing, but since it is unseen it too often goes unnoticed. I am so grateful for my many friends and others who over the years have shared their goodness and love with me through the radiation of their character. Thank you! I love you all!

Making Lemonade

We've all heard the saying, "When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade." But I'd like to know how you have done that. Please share the "lemons" you've encountered and how you turned them into "lemonade." Don't be shy. Your sharing will help us all. Just leave a comment with your story.

Saving Attitude

Yesterday we celebrated the Resurrection of the Savior and the life He has made possible for us. Today I am celebrating the fact that He has invited me and you to be part of His work. We do it daily whether we are changing a diaper, disciplining a child, or visiting an ailing friend. In anything we do, if we do it with love and with an eye to His glory, we are helping in His work. What a trust He has placed in us!

President John Taylor once said that “we are here as saviors of men” (JD, 24:268). While Jesus Christ is our Savior, to help in His work means that we are to be saviors also. Note that our being saviors is savior with a small “s”, and is different that the great work He did, but in some ways similar. A savior is someone who does something for others that they cannot do for themselves. Obviously we could not save ourselves from sin and death, but He could. But how do we act as saviors?

As women we give life to others—something they cannot do for themselves. As men we administer the life-giving ordinances to others—something they cannot do for themselves. As followers of Christ, we do temple work for those who were unable to do it for themselves. Anytime we do things for others that they cannot do for themselves, we are acting as a savior thus the mundane task of changing a diaper or feeding a newborn is a saving act.

There is something beautiful that happens inside us as we go about our days with this realization. What could be dismissed as a trivial act becomes a glorious opportunity and can feed our souls with joy and delight depending on how we approach the task. When we think of ourselves as saviors helping in The Savior’s work, life is different.

Happy Easter!

Today commemorates the greatest event in all the history of mankind. 

Lift up your hearts and rejoice!

The Saturday Before

One can only imagine what the followers of Jesus Christ were feeling on this their Sabbath day--the day after the crucifixion of their Lord. Promises had been made, some they understood and some they didn't, but would the promises come to pass now that Jesus was dead?

It must have been a bleak day for them, but oh what surprises and joy lay ahead.

A Good, Good Friday

Last night Mr. J and I attended a Passover Seder that was put on by one of my past students. It was a delightful evening of remembering and celebrating and I was grateful to be invited and share in the festivities and the feelings. Though my Jewish friends might cringe at the thought of Passover being a celebration of Jesus Christ, that is what it is for me. Because of Jesus Christ, whose crucifixion we remember today, the heavy consequences of sin will Passover you and me if we accept His sacrifice.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and that He died for me. I am so grateful for that knowledge and the peace and joy it brings into my life. I love my Savior and hope you all will take a moment this day to remember what Good Friday commemorates--especially remember why it is Good.

Celebrating Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday which is called by some Holy Thursday or Covenant Thursday, or the Thursday of Mysteries. But I like the term Maundy Thursday best because Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum which means command and refers to the command Jesus issued on the last Thursday of His life: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).

Traditionally on Maundy Thursday the Maundy Ceremony has been performed where people wash the feet of the poor in commemoration of the event that occurred on the first Maundy Thursday when the Savior washed the feet of His apostles and told them to serve others. Over the years the traditions have changed and in some places the Thursday before Easter Maundy Money is given to the poor.

In addition, today is the first day of the Easter Triduum or the three days that commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ—in my mind the three holiest days of the year. Besides the command to love one another, and His example of serving one another, the Savior gave us so much direction and expressed so much love for us on this day. So for me, today is a day to think about and savor His words. I love Maundy Thursday and hope to celebrate it by doing what He told me to do—love others.