I have many friends who aren't Mormon like me. It seems that more and more often I am being asked questions related to my faith. A very dear friend of mine said to me last night, "I often wonder how it is that my friend who I consider so smart and respect so much can believe these outrageous things that I hear about the Mormon church?" My response to her was simple, "then just ask me." At work every time a student, or family, or community member turns out to be Mormon I am looked to as the expert. Everything I do and the other Mormons around are doing is being watched very closely and often being seen as the Mormon way.
So, while I never take offense to being asked questions about my faith, I am very concerned that as the token Mormon person in so many people's lives- am I being a good representative of my faith? Would Heavenly Father choose me as His representative?
It is very similar to the conversation I had with my often all too single minded husband earlier this week. I was sharing that as American's we have a tendency to over generalize our thoughts of a whole group of people based on a small singular experience with only one or two people who can be connected with that group. I try very hard to understand that while collectively people may share a basic set of beliefs, each person is still very much an individual and shouldn't be judged based upon the actions of others. For example, let's look at me as a Mormon. I believe very strongly in the existence of my Heavenly Father and in the teachings of my church, but I also can appear very contrary to the teachings of my church. For one, I have six tattoo's. While I don't actively encourage anyone to get tattoo's, I also don't mind them. I am a convert and would not have gotten a tattoo after joining the church, but I also don't mind that I have them.
So my thoughts are these:
1. I will do my best to represent my Heavenly Father in the best way I can and hope that I make Him proud.
2. I will do my best to remember that everyone is an individual and will try to restrict judgement
3. I will encourage others to try to remember that same idea.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Life Is Worth Living!
I often ponder my life and choices as I travel alone in my car. It is interesting how a simple task such as traveling to and from work can lead me to ponder deep thoughts. I usually begin by trying to set my mood for the day by listening to church music. There is one particular piece that is performed with bag pipes that is especially inspirational. Even if the song isn't over when I arrive at my destination I sit in my car and just take in every note. It is guaranteed to put me in a good mood for the day. While I am listening I start thinking about my Heavenly Father and all of the many decisions I have made recently and those that are weighing heavy on my heart because I am not sure what to do. Almost always I find myself sitting in my car in the driveway deep in prayer, seeking guidance. I feel the comfort of my savior and know that God is listening to me and ready to support me in any way He can.
Recently, I was just in that same situation, sitting in my car in the driveway wondering how I am going to make it through the day. I am just feeling exhausted and overwhelmed with all of the things I must complete. I start feeling like a terrible mother because my boys aren't doing great in school and they always seem to be fighting with each other. My daughter is angry and wants nothing to do with church or anything to do with faith for that matter. I feel like a terrible wife because I can't seem to make my husband happy, and the list can go on and on. I know that when I walk through that door I can't show any of this weakness because I have to be happy and be strong no matter what. I share love with everyone I meet and on this day I was feeling so alone and like I had nothing left to give. I began to wonder if it was all worth it, how easy it would be to just walk away and not deal with anything, but immediately I had this warm feeling come over me and I began to cry. I knew that I want nothing more than to be with my family and that I have a promise from my Heavenly Father that though I will have trials and tribulations in my life, that If I pray and reflect on them I will learn from each trial and will never be given more than I can handle.
At that very moment my son happened to walk outside and gave me a giant smile. He came to the car and offered to carry my bags for me, saying " do you need help mom?" I know that it isn't a coincidence that he happened outside right at my moment of weakness, I know that the feeling of comfort that came over me was my Heavenly Father sending the Holy Spirit to comfort me and to remind me that I am not alone. I don't have to do it all by myself and though I do have obligations to my family and need to care for them, that they also care for me. Then to top it all off, I received a letter in the mail from my relief society president and dear friend that absolutely brightened my day. I don't know how she knew that I would need that pick me up, and she may never know just how much her kind words mean in my life, but they really did remind me that i am loved by my Father in heaven, family and my ward family. I know that life is great, even when it seems to suck. I know that my Heavenly Father will always care for me and provide me with a way to make it through those tough days.life is worth living because it is all part of the plan of happiness and I am on the path to my heavenly home.
Recently, I was just in that same situation, sitting in my car in the driveway wondering how I am going to make it through the day. I am just feeling exhausted and overwhelmed with all of the things I must complete. I start feeling like a terrible mother because my boys aren't doing great in school and they always seem to be fighting with each other. My daughter is angry and wants nothing to do with church or anything to do with faith for that matter. I feel like a terrible wife because I can't seem to make my husband happy, and the list can go on and on. I know that when I walk through that door I can't show any of this weakness because I have to be happy and be strong no matter what. I share love with everyone I meet and on this day I was feeling so alone and like I had nothing left to give. I began to wonder if it was all worth it, how easy it would be to just walk away and not deal with anything, but immediately I had this warm feeling come over me and I began to cry. I knew that I want nothing more than to be with my family and that I have a promise from my Heavenly Father that though I will have trials and tribulations in my life, that If I pray and reflect on them I will learn from each trial and will never be given more than I can handle.
At that very moment my son happened to walk outside and gave me a giant smile. He came to the car and offered to carry my bags for me, saying " do you need help mom?" I know that it isn't a coincidence that he happened outside right at my moment of weakness, I know that the feeling of comfort that came over me was my Heavenly Father sending the Holy Spirit to comfort me and to remind me that I am not alone. I don't have to do it all by myself and though I do have obligations to my family and need to care for them, that they also care for me. Then to top it all off, I received a letter in the mail from my relief society president and dear friend that absolutely brightened my day. I don't know how she knew that I would need that pick me up, and she may never know just how much her kind words mean in my life, but they really did remind me that i am loved by my Father in heaven, family and my ward family. I know that life is great, even when it seems to suck. I know that my Heavenly Father will always care for me and provide me with a way to make it through those tough days.life is worth living because it is all part of the plan of happiness and I am on the path to my heavenly home.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Lesson Just For Me
Today I gave my first ever lesson in relief society. While I don't mind at all teaching a lesson, this was a nerve racking experience for me. Every Sunday I sit in relief society in awe of the amazing women that share. I feel as though I have so very much to learn from them, so the idea that I can or should teach in relief society just seems so wrong to me. I mean who am I, what could I possibly have to offer?
Regardless of what I feel are my personal shortcomings, I was asked to teach the lesson for today. I spent all week reading and re-reading the conference talk, and reviewing the scriptures that would serve as the basis for my message. Not surprisingly, I immediately realized that the message could have been written just for me. It might as well have said in big bold letters, "Jennifer, this message is for you."
The title of lesson is, " the greatest commandment" and is centered around Jesus' response to the question from the holy men asking which is the most important commandment. Jesus answered them saying,
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40).
I love my Heavenly Father and do live my life in a way that I hope shows my love. One of my favorite things about the church is that we believe very strongly that it is by our own actions and good deeds that we earn our way into the celestial kingdom. I have spoken many times about how important it is to me that my family is together forever, and I know that if I want to be with my family forever, I have to use my time here on earth to make that possible. I need to lead by example, share my faith, and live my life by the commandments and plan of happiness.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
(John 14: 21)
But it is much more than simply being obedient, the remainder of the talk focused on the following scripture:
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
(John 21:15-17)
I am a terrible member missionary, I am a coward and afraid to share my beliefs because I don't want to offend anyone, or come up short. But as has been shared in this lesson, I can't just say that it makes me uncomfortable and be done, I have to push beyond my fear and do what is right. So, my answer is this blog. I am sharing my life experiences and how my faith is a key component of every aspect of my life. My hope is that in some small way my sharing will help others find their faith and their voice, but most of all I hope that I can feed the spirits of my own children and help them to learn and grow in the gospel.
Just in case you would like more here is the video of the talk that led to my lesson:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P7HcuoTTPIs
Regardless of what I feel are my personal shortcomings, I was asked to teach the lesson for today. I spent all week reading and re-reading the conference talk, and reviewing the scriptures that would serve as the basis for my message. Not surprisingly, I immediately realized that the message could have been written just for me. It might as well have said in big bold letters, "Jennifer, this message is for you."
The title of lesson is, " the greatest commandment" and is centered around Jesus' response to the question from the holy men asking which is the most important commandment. Jesus answered them saying,
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40).
I love my Heavenly Father and do live my life in a way that I hope shows my love. One of my favorite things about the church is that we believe very strongly that it is by our own actions and good deeds that we earn our way into the celestial kingdom. I have spoken many times about how important it is to me that my family is together forever, and I know that if I want to be with my family forever, I have to use my time here on earth to make that possible. I need to lead by example, share my faith, and live my life by the commandments and plan of happiness.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
(John 14: 21)
But it is much more than simply being obedient, the remainder of the talk focused on the following scripture:
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
(John 21:15-17)
I am a terrible member missionary, I am a coward and afraid to share my beliefs because I don't want to offend anyone, or come up short. But as has been shared in this lesson, I can't just say that it makes me uncomfortable and be done, I have to push beyond my fear and do what is right. So, my answer is this blog. I am sharing my life experiences and how my faith is a key component of every aspect of my life. My hope is that in some small way my sharing will help others find their faith and their voice, but most of all I hope that I can feed the spirits of my own children and help them to learn and grow in the gospel.
Just in case you would like more here is the video of the talk that led to my lesson:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P7HcuoTTPIs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)