Cleave

I have tons of scriptures highlighted that I want to discuss on this blog, but before I get to them, I have to post this thought.  It's been consuming my mind lately, and so many different experiences in my life and the lives of those around me are encouraging me to dwell on this particular concept.

So here's the line that's going through my head: In this life, we will not see others at their best.  I don't think it's a quote.  It's just been floating in my head.

This line is not meant to extinguish the faith you have in the good of humanity.  It is meant to remind you that this stage of our eternal lives is the place where we will learn how to be our best in the life to come.  It is the place where we prove that we can continuously improve, and that even if we have setbacks, we can pick ourselves up again and get back on that straight and narrow path.  Cling to this knowledge when you doubt yourself, or even when you doubt others.

If we don't even know what our best is yet, how can we expect others to be their best?  In the past few weeks, I've observed many people (including myself) expecting people to be better than they are and/or have been.  I've seen and heard people judging others without the necessary information to make a well-informed judgment (and in all honesty, the Lord is the only person who can make a good judgment about a person, because He's the only one who knows the whole context of that person).  I've seen and heard many people who have been offended because others have judged them.  This offense is partly created by the offended  not forgiving the offender for being human and making false judgments.  (I'm not entirely sure how to explain this dynamic of judging and offense, but I hope that you can all think about what I have said and hopefully it will make sense.)

I say this with a cloud over my own head, and I say it hoping to inspire others to accept people as they are: sons of Adam and daughters of Eve.  We make mistakes.  Sometimes we learn on our own.  Other times, we need certain experiences to learn from.  If you know someone who is going through one of these experiences and is clearly not at their best, be sure that you don't cast the stone if you yourself are a sinner.  Every time you point your finger at someone to judge them, you have three fingers pointing right back at you.

Everyone is here to solve their puzzle.  It's a hard one, and some people can't try to solve it during every waking moment of their lives.  If we criticize people whenever they attempt to solve their puzzle, like a Rubix cube, then soon they will stop trying because there are far too many wrong turns to take, and they are tired of trying to no avail.  It doesn't help people to make them feel like crap, and if you make them feel like crap by judging them, you will be at least partly responsible if they give up.

Focus on the good that people have to offer and accept the fact that people, like life, have bad that comes with the good.  Be a good example, and be open to learn from them, because I believe everyone has something to teach us.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

People say that reading your scriptures (and praying) is like putting on the armor of God.  Keeping this in mind, someone (I don't know who) made the argument:

"Why would I put on the armor of God right before I go to sleep?"

This has helped inspire many people to do their scripture studies (and personal prayers) in the morning.  It makes sense.  Start the day with God and continue the day with God.

However, I still maintain studying scriptures before I go to bed.

I pray in the morning.  Sometimes I read in the morning, but it's not a dependable part of my schedule.  My daily reading happens before I go to bed.  Yes, I love sleep and getting to bed earlier would be nice--so why don't I just go to bed at night and read in the morning?

Put aside the assumption that I don't like to wake up early (you're right, but that's not the reason I read before sleeping).

I like to reflect on the day and look for things I need help with, things I'm greatful for, how well I'm meeting my goals, how much I've incorporated the gospel into my life, etc..

I know that I can still reflect on these things in the morning, but in the morning, yesterday doesn't seem quite as fresh, and I tend to have a time limit on how long I can study and reflect on the things I need.  Eventually, I have to leave the house.

I appreciate the night because no one will disturb me, I've finished everything I need to for the day, so my mind doesn't wander as much, and I can take as much time as I need.  I might not face trials at bedtime like I do during the day, but it's not like I forget what I studied the night before as soon as I wake up.  If I go to sleep in my armor, I can wake up prepared for battle.  And it's not as if the armor is uncomfortable.  That armor is one of the best things to go to sleep in.

Studying and reflecting in the morning isn't bad--whatever works for you works for you.  But nightspirituality isn't any less than morning spirituality.  Whatever works for you works for you.

Choose to Cleave.

*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

Stick with me on this one.  It might not seem entirely gospel linked for the first part.

One of my favorite shows is Super Nanny.  Not favorite as in I actively watch every new episode--favorite as in when I'm flipping through the channels, I will stop on it.  I love watching shows that teach "wild" kids manners and crucial social skills.  I like Super Nanny because Jo (the nanny) uses principles that I believe in.  She knows that children want attention and freedom, but they also need structure.  She teaches parents discipline techniques that don't harm the children, that help them learn lessons, and that aren't too straining on parents.

The other day I was watching and Jo was coaching a dad about discipline.  She said something along the lines of "when they say 'discipline with sharpness,' they don't mean you have to be scary.  They use the word 'sharp' in the way that it's effective and wisely timed.  And after you're done, always show them that you love them, because your love should be the motivation behind changing their behavior, not fear."  When I heard this, I thought of one of my favorite quotes:

"The sword can be used to slash or it can be used to merely point."

I've always liked the thought of using the sword as a sort of laser pen rather than a weapon.

Then I came across this scripture in D&C:

"Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou has reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;" (121:43).

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Nanny Jo is a Mormon and she doesn't even know it!

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

Tomorrow is my last day in my Doctrines of the Gospel institute class.  For a while, I was really sad about this, but then I got a picture stuck in my head right before I went to sleep, so here I am blogging at an insane hour.

I usually dread the last of anything.  The last bite of a cookie is a simple example.  The last night I spent at my apartment last school year with all of my roommates.  The last hug from my mom before we both return to our homes in different states.

But then I remembered the phrase we hear so often at church: "The Last Dispensation."  I don't dread the end of this dispensation.  I try my best to be prepared for it, and sometimes I get worried that I won't be my best by the time the end comes, but I don't dread it because I know it's just a beginning of something magnificent.

Most of the time, things don't end.  Not the good things anyway.  And the end doesn't have to be bad.  It's like climbing stairs.  Getting to the last step means getting on with what you really need to be doing.  And if this institute class is a set of stairs, I'm glad I climbed them, and I can't wait to see what's on this floor.  Hopefully it's as enjoyable as Doctrines of the Gospel.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving