Tuesday, January 1, 2013

light




I've been thinking a lot lately about light -- and darkness.

5:00 a.m. is very early to be delivering newspapers, and in the middle of winter it's very dark and cold.

One section of a street I deliver to has no street lights.

As I walk through that section I feel uneasy, apprehensive, fidgety, and afraid.

When I finally come to a point where I can see the street light I am always surprised at how far the light reaches.  It sucks up any amount of darkness and covers all of my fears.

In a dark room even a small amount of light can illuminate much of the room.  You can't cover the light by adding more darkness, but you can add more light and completely drown the darkness.

I've also noticed that when I'm walking through my dark bedroom my eye automatically tries to focus in on any light coming from the closed computer, or light from the bright hallway sneaking under my door.

John wrote that "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."  (1 John 1:5)

God’s light includes the physical light we see, which makes us feel so warm and comfortable. God’s light is also the power to understand and comprehend all things.

It's that time of year to think about goals and resolutions for 2013.

I've thought long and hard about my word for this year.

I want more than anything to create more LIGHT in my life, in the lives of my family members, and for that light to also touch others.

At the re-dedication of the Boise temple I felt very touched.

A scripture was read that I've heard many times before, but this time hit me with great force as the way to bring more light.
"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.  - Doctrine & Covenants 88:119

My word for the year is FOCUS


Each month I will FOCUS on a different part of the scripture.....in order to create a House of God:  Organization - a house of order (de-cluttering, cleaning, and preparing to put our house on the market ready to sell), Preparation (food storage, and mission prep), Learning, Faith, Prayer, Glory & Fasting, etc.

I feel really good about my goals - they are reachable and important.

By focusing on only one goal each month I won't get overwhelmed trying to fix everything at once.
After all.....“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

I completely loved this quote from The Hobbit.....

"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage."  - Gandalf

good things:
fresh start
family visits
inspiration

2 comments:

Heidi said...

I love your approach to goal setting! The D&C 88 scripture is one of my favorites. I attended a Stk women's conference centered on this theme and still try to use the binder focusing on different areas in my daily planning...except when I'm so disorganized that I can't find it ha ha:(
House selling????????? We've got to get together, although this -6 Brrrrrr weather doesn't give me much ambition to get out much.

Nathan and Shanna said...

House Selling? Where are you planning on moving to? What an exciting time for you and your family. You never cease to amaze me with all that you do. Christmas is magical and I love it so much too! Thanks for the new approach to setting goals. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.