My Thought for the Day (A Serious Post)

Recently, there was a very interesting thread topic on 2peas (that is twopeasinabucket.com for those of you who don't know). Faith and religion often get discussed there. And as I was thinking about this particular thread, I had this thought come to me this morning and I shared it there and I feel like sharing it now.

Lately, I've been getting a very frustrating answer to all my prayers. Basically, I get the sense that Heavenly Father is saying to me, "I've taught you well. I trust you and I love you. You don't need to ask me this. You are my child, I've given you intelligence and discernment. I trust you to do what you think is best." For instance, I was praying about whether or not I should go back to school and that was the answer I got. Sometimes, I just want him to tell me what to do! But then I realized that if he is a perfect and loving father, then he is doing it the right way. I've been taught and now I am free to make up my own mind and to make my own decisions. I hope that someday I will do as good a job with my children.

There are very few times in my life when I've had a direct and distinct answer to my prayers. One of those times was when I was trying to decide which college to attend. I was trying to decide between BYU and Utah State. Well, the answer was Ricks (This was just before it changed to BYU-Idaho). I was pretty shocked, as I hadn't really even considered Ricks, but it was one of the most important decisions of my life and a rare instance when I needed direct guidance. But for the most part, the answers to my prayers are to use my own judgement.

Anyway, I think sometimes the answer is the same with doctrinal issues, not just life choices. I think he absolutely wants us to find our own conclusions and our own peace with it. The gospel is individualized, because we each find our own understanding of it, in the way that is best for our development and growth. I'm not saying their aren't eternal truths, for instance, I believe the atonement of Christ is fixed and eternal, but yet we all use and apply that atonement in the way we need it in our lives.

I've started a new blog: Come follow my crafting adventures on my new blog. Find me at: creativeirony.com.

Me Thinks--Restaurants

I've been thinking about restaurants. If you know, you know my favorite thing to do in the entire world is to go out to eat. I love all the choices on the menu, the way your drink keeps appearing, the appetizers, the entrees, the delicious desserts we usually split so I don't feel too guilty. I love being served by a good waiter. My idea of fun: someone catering to my every need. We always make sure to leave a good tip and thank our waiter/waitress, but without giving it much thought.

I think, however, that sometimes I approach my prayers like heavenly blessings are a good restaurant's menu. "I'd like the new house with a side of new car, please." Oh, and to get it, I'll try thanking you politely, but with little "real intent." Just because I'm supposed to show gratitude, but if my blessing doesn't show up on my timetable, no tip. What an attitude! No wonder my Wise Creator has not seen fit to bless me with lots of material goods. I wouldn't give my kids a piece of candy with an attitude like that!

I've also been thinking a lot about a talk we were given in church last Sunday. In her talk, this sister (whose name escapes me) told the story of a long move with a toddler, in which she was alone with her toddler in his car seat the whole trip. I can so relate to this! The toddler was not happy about being confined to his car seat. I can also relate to that. He just didn't understand and kept begging his mom with all his energy and quite loudly to be let out of his seat. And she, being older/wiser and seeing a larger picture, had to keep refusing his requests, because it would not be in his best interest to roam freely in a moving car. The parallels in our own life our clear. How much more does a loving Heavenly Father take care of us! How much more does he want the best thing for us, even as we don't understand! He is so patient with us.

So, I'm slowly learning to appreciate NOT having blessings. I'm learning to give thanks to the Lord that we don't have a house yet, that we "only" have one car, because He knows me. He knows what will be best for my growth. I'm learning to turn my life to Him and trust in his plan for me. The scriptures say,

"Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
2 Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.
3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord." (D&C 98:1-3)

I'm working on giving thanks for everything, even getting up to feed Aubriana in the night, even the inconveniences of having only one car and no yard, even for my trials and for the bad things that have happened to me. When I can be grateful for those things, it's even easier to appreciate the wonderful things that surround me.

I've started a new blog: Come follow my crafting adventures on my new blog. Find me at: creativeirony.com.

Me Thinks Kara Style

So, my sweet friend Clarice, brought me this sweet little book by Mary Ellen Edmunds, called Mee Thinks (link to see it at Deseret Book) when Aubriana was a baby. She also brought me a whole bunch of girly scrapbooking supplies and a stash of candy (isn't she wonderful! she's one of the most generous people I've ever met). Anyway, I just got around to reading it before conference and what a wonderful, fun and inspiring little book. In it, Sister Edmunds has very short chapters, usually on gospel topics that start out with her musing over something or other. I'm going to do my own version of it from time to time on my blog. This is my first entry.

I've been thinking about food. I admit, I hate food. I mean, I love to eat it, I just hate to buy it, decided what to eat, change my mind, find out we're missing enough eggs, and then prepare it, being interpreted by hungry children who are demanding it now and also want drinks. By the time I get to the actual eating, there is a lot of time invested it in. And I'm just going to have it start the process all over again in 4-5 hours! Even Aubriana, who is still nursing, is quite a bit of work. I realized the other day that I spend at least three hours nursing every day (some of that in the middle of the night, which is much worse). I hate daily tasks that never end. Add laundry and dishes and diapers to food prep and you pretty much have my life, with a dash of scrapbooking thrown in (although you can MEASURE progress in scrapbooking, probably one of the reasons I love it so much).

And even then, I realized even with all the hassles of food, I'm quite blessed. I don't have to grow it, harvest it and then alter it into consumable substances. I don't have to feed any animals or milk any cows. I have a fridge. It's much nicer than an actual cow. I don't have to worry about crops failing. What a blessing! I also got to thinking, I wonder why Heavenly Father made it so difficult to keep our bodies running. Why do we have to eat so much?

Well, one reason I thought of was to remind us of our debt to God. When we are provided food, we are thankful. It's one of those things you don't appreciate too much unless you are without and it can be a very quick reminder. I also think there is some symbolism there; after all, Christ is the "bread of life" (John 6:35, Alma 5: 34) and we need him daily (if you're me, you need help more often than just daily), just as we need nourishment for our physical bodies on a regular basis to feel comfortable.

I've started a new blog: Come follow my crafting adventures on my new blog. Find me at: creativeirony.com.