What changes people?

I'd like to tell a story to explain why I'm thinking about this. When I was in the bishopric, there was a lady in the ward who was bedridden and had all sorts of physical (and frankly, emotional) problems. She called on the Bishop and his counsellors often for blessings, advice, and other help. I think she mostly wanted to fellowship with others of her faith. She didn't live in the most savory area, and her kids had strayed off the beaten path and there were always people around who weren't the best examples. Well, her husband worked to try to support them, and they had their issues. Most of the time if we came over, he would make a point to not be there or go upstairs. There were times that we'd come to the door and we'd hear them yelling at each other. However, he waited on her hand and foot. She couldn't get out of bed, so he'd do most of the cooking, cleaning, shopping, and other stuff that had to be done. But he didn't get involved too much in the spiritual stuff. Anyway, that was how things were when we moved away. 5-6 months later, we went to visit the old ward, and I look over, and who do I see in sacrament meeting? The husband! I was shocked. It just wasn't like the man I knew. Anyway, come to find out, his wife ended up needing more care than could be provided in their home, so she had to move to more of a hospital-type facility. And that was when the changes started. I found out a couple of days ago that he goes to church every week, bears his testimony regularly, and has essentially turned a 180 with his life.

Anyway, so I started wondering - what makes people change like that? In his case, one suggested reason is that he started to realize how muh the ward had pulled together and tried to help with his wife. That probably had an influence, but I think it's more than that. I think one has to be truly influenced by the Holy Ghost to want to make those kind of changes. I think there's a reason that people refer to it as being "moved" by the Spirit or "led" by the Spirit. It's because the Spirit will lead you to act. ALWAYS. Everyone needs to make different changes in their lives, but one thing is certain: EVERYONE needs to change SOMETHING.

The reason it's important to be able to recognize the Spirit is so we recognize when we are being LED or MOVED to some type of action.

Question to ponder: What kind of changes do I need to make?

Getting Old?

Okay, so I've been doing some things differently lately and I had a sudden thought this morning: "Am I getting old?"

A little history:
A couple of months ago, my wife and I had a conversation about speeding. I'll leave it to you to interpret the *reason* we had the conversation...

Anyway, so the conversation turned to the whole safety factor. I appreciate conversations like that because they help me look at things differently. I realized that it's not worth speeding when you weigh it against ALL the factors (not just the cost of a speeding ticket). So since then, I've made HEAVY use of my cruise control and just go the speed limit. Do my commutes take longer? Not really. Do I panic a little and look at the speedometer every time I see a police car? Not anymore.

I've also been listening to church stuff during some of my commutes (things like church magazine articles, conference addresses, etc). It represents an effort I have been making to try to be closer to spiritual things. When I turn that off, though, lately I've been gravitating to talk radio. I switched the station in my car this morning to a talk radio station and thought: "Am I getting old?" I'm not very old. I don't feel old (well, most of the time, anyway). I don't think I *look* old. (Although I'm sure that's debateable.)

So as i write this post, I'm thinking that I'd like to give these things a positive spin. Like maybe these are signs of maturity or wisdom. I'm sure that's the reason.

At least that's my take on it.

I can live with driving the speed limit and listening to talk radio. What's next, though? Cardigan sweaters?

My Job

So lately I've been thinking about ways to try to get a little extra money and/or pay off a couple of things. I find myself thinking "the easiest way to do that would be to earn more money at my job". While I'm open to change, it makes me nervous, so I'm not anxious to start looking for another job. Don't get me wrong, they treat me well and it's been a great company to work for.

Anyway, so in the midst of all this thinking I got a call from someone asking me if I would like to do some consulting work. Sure, I say, stunned by the timing. Feeling lucky to have my job, and this other consulting opportunity, I went about my day.

Well, the next day they announced at my job that we had a bad year last year, and don't project a great year this year, either, although with some big changes, we project to pull out of that. Interesting.

We'll see what happens, but in the meantime, I've got a good job that seems stable overall (although you never know for sure about that, right?), some other opportunities, and some faith.

With all of that, I have had one thought running consistently through my mind, and I'm confident that this thought did not originate with me. The thought is this: "Didn't I tell you that if you try to do what's right, especially paying tithes and offerings, that I would bless you? There's your proof."

Proof? Yep.

All I can think for the last couple of days is be grateful for what I have, rather than focusing on things I don't have.

Learning From The Comics

Since it's a new year, Rhoda and I had the obligatory conversation about New Year's Resolutions. I think goals in general are great, and they are a great way to improve yourself, and I am very understanding about the timing of the new year being a good time to start a goal. People need a starting or launching point. However, that being said, I expressed my view about how it would be much better to not have to wait for calendar to try to improve yourself. If midday on July 13th, you realize that you want to change something about yourself, you shouldn’t wait until the new year, you should start now. I realize I was also kind of playing devil’s advocate in that conversation (sometimes it worries me that I play that role so easily!). I don’t really think that Rhoda appreciated my comments, though. She wasn’t arguing that people should wait until New Year’s to make a goal for improving themselves, but that it is a good time to reflect on things and figure out what you can do better.

Anyway, so I’ve made a couple of rather personal goals, mostly relating to my spiritual self, but I have also been kicking around a couple of other ideas for goals, but I haven’t actually officially set them as goals. I don’t really know what that’s all about. Maybe there’s a part of me that doesn’t really want to commit to them.

Now, on another topic (It’ll make sense, I promise!) I just love the comics. They are great. It is the only section of the newspaper that I read pretty regularly. As I was reading the comics today, I ran across Frazz, which happens to be one of my favorite comic strips. Here it is:



I just about laughed out loud. It’s made me do a little more thinking about what I will say when I have any other conversations about new year’s resolutions, that’s for sure.

Lesson Help

I was asked to teach a lesson in Church, and loosely given the topic "Proclaim the Gospel". First of all, I don't like it very much when I'm not given lesson material. It's hard for me to come up with my own direction. I started thinking about how I could present this lesson in a way that the class wouldn't immediately turn off their minds, thinking "just another lesson on missionary work." I struggle with teaching engaging lessons that are interesting. At least that's how I feel about them.

Anyway, so I just started reading some talks and other resources, and my lesson changed from 'missionary work' to 'the atonement'. As I kind of finished up my lesson, I looked back and thought, "how did it end up so different from the original topic?" and it hit me like a ton of bricks: I had help. Even though I didn't recognize it during the preparation phase, it was clear to me when I looked back.

And let me tell you, that just boosted my confidence. I'm not the most dynamic teacher, but when you have that kind of help preparing the lesson, you have to figure you've got a good start.

And the best news? I didn't totally screw it up in the delivery.