Every Last One

Photo Credit:  Del Parson  http://mormonartist.net/interviews/del-parson/

Recently a few friends and family members have been very worried about their children.  As I watch their concern over choices children might make or beliefs that aren't burning as brightly I see their pure love and worry about these precious souls to which they have been given stewardship.  My children are getting a little older and I am quickly seeing how I cannot make many decisions for them.  They are having to learn about consequences and while the stakes are small at this point I know they will quickly grow.  My heart aches at how there are so many scary temptations waiting to entice them on their path and I hope that they will desire to choose what is right.  However, I know they will each make mistakes.  We all make mistakes.  I guess I am starting to realize how much a parent loves each of their children - no matter the choices they have made.  If we love our children this much, how much more does a loving Father in Heaven mourn over one of his children who are in despair and need His help?  How much does He rejoice when we choose a path that brings us closer to Him?  As Jesus taught, "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one...that repenteth" (Luke 15:10).  I hope we will all find those that are struggling and help each other along the path to a Father in Heaven who will joyfully welcome us home.

The Butterfly Effect

Last night our Stake President taught us about the butterfly effect.  We learned that small changes, such as a butterfly flapping its' wings, could have large results around the world, like redirecting a tornado's path in Kansas.  While something like this is very hard to prove, the idea that a small effort on an individual's part could make a big difference for someone is a beautiful thought.  As we learn in the Book of Mormon, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" (Alma 37:6).  I hope that we can all have faith that there is much good in this world and that we can do the small and simple things to make good's influence grow and be felt by everyone.  It all could be as easy as a butterly simply flapping its' wings.

Photo Credit:  http://www.boston.com/community/moms/blogs/parent_buzz/Butterfly%20landing%20-%20butterfly.jpg

Psalms

The psalms are such a beautiful collection of poems that were originally put to music.  In fact the name for this book in Hebrew, "Tehillim", comes from the word "halal" which means "to praise" (this has the same root as hallelujah which means to praise to Jehovah).  So many of the words in this book of the Old Testament resonate with me and are found throughout the New Testament, other scriptures, and our hymns.  I recently rediscovered the beauty found in the much-quoted Psalm 23:

 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I have felt this in my life.  Surely goodness and mercy have followed me and I truly have been led by a loving Father in Heaven.  Even when things are difficult and when it feels like we are in the valley of the shadow of death, let us each remember how our cups runneth over and how we are never forgotten by a loving shepherd.