Do you ever have those moments where you spend a solid 10-15 seconds staring in the fridge looking for the sour cream but conclude that the sour cream supply has been exhausted by a sibling? Then as you start your search for yogurt, your eyes focus and you see the sour cream container that had been sitting on the shelf at eye level the entire time? I had a spiritual "sour cream" moment this past weekend.
I was so proud of my last post--thinking that I was encroaching upon a deeper way of living. The truth is, life is kind of boring right now. I've got no struggles, no huge looming questions, no real abnormal experiences. I think sometimes when life is running smoothly, we feel the need to over-analyze and spend too much time "looking past the mark." I was so busy looking past the mark, that I couldn't see the 'sour cream'. The overwhelming message I gleaned from church meetings and extra-church meetings this weekend, was the beauty of a simple life spent in service. "The love of God transforms menial tasks into extraordinary acts of service." Someone said that during general conference.
There is no sense in breathing deeper, if that breath won't help you help someone else. In my new calling, I get to sit back in meetings and listen to what other people are doing/have done to: observe others, take note of their needs, and then make plans to fulfill those needs. There are great examples of people living lives deep in the service and care of others. I keep forgetting that important purpose in life.
Another eye opener this weekend was a new little addition to the Williams family--Charlotte. I think the purpose of life is expressed in birth. We go through pain to give life to another person. The Savior went through pain to give all men the chance at eternal life. We go through physical/mental/spiritual pain to give others an easier way in life. We bear children in pain (right Christina?) so that they may begin their life of abundance. The purpose of living is to give life to all we meet.
Mother Theresa, I know the promise of this life.
It's right before my face, I was just looking too hard and couldn't see it..I'm glad that my view finally focused.
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 1 Jn. 2:25
Amazing post Ryan. Seriously - that is such a good point... we are concentrating so hard on something that we can't see that we totally miss what is right in front of us. Spiritual sour cream... I like that. :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Since Charlotte was a week late, I was so wrapped up in my own misery that I couldn't see the real prize. During that time, I kept thinking, "I'll never do this again." But as soon as I saw her face I knew without a doubt that I'd do it all over again just to have her in my life.
ReplyDeleteI think we all do that at times. Yes birth is amazing! xoxo
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