Hello Friends, (Lesson 7)

     This is RIVETING: First a question posed by H. Wallace Goddard, "IS OUR FAITH A VIBRANT AND ENNOBLING POWER IN OUR LIVES?" Following are a comment and suggestion also by Goddard: "SATAN'S BEST HOPE IS TO KEEP US FROM LOOKING UP. HE MUST KEEP US FULLY ABSORBED WITH THE TRIVIAL, FRETTING OVER OUR INCONVENIENCES AND STEWING OVER OUR GRIEVANCES." "THE BEST COURSE IS TO HONOR COVENANTS. ONE OF THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS IN THIS WORLD IS THAT TROUBLED, PAINFUL RELATIONSHIPS CAN BECOME BOTH SATISFYING AND GROWTH PROMOTING AS WE FILL OURSELVES WITH FAITH IN GOD AND LOVE FOR HIS PURPOSES" (P.50,55).

     I am a huge fan of purple font, and I do adore caps, but I chose to  capitalize this opening question and statement to make it known that this is how I truly feel as well: what I KNOW to be true. 

     So what if I chose to "fret and stew" less and "fill [myself] with faith in God and love for His purposes more? Do I LOVE His purposes when they hurt or even when they are just uncomfortable? Do I really want to change? Do I truly believe that everything in my life is for MY greater good in His plan? 

     As I read Chapter 3 in our Goddard book and pondered on the exercises in our Gottman book (which encouraged me to be very introspective concerning my interactions with my husband), l was focused so much on how our Savior advocates for us and how, as we follow His example, will seek to bless the life of our spouse if we are married, but essentially that we will seek to bless the lives of all those around us. It is certainly more difficult to turn toward each other when we feel hate and anger and hostility, but as we fully allow Christ to fill our hearts, we will overcome those "natural man" tendencies. 

     I put myself in a situation some years ago that could have changed the course of my life in a soul wrenching way. Looking back, I feel ridiculously blessed for the love and mercy that my Savior poured over me during that time and in the years to come. He literally rescued me from spiritual death, just as He has rescued each of us from the effects of eternal physical death. Christ is my personal Redeemer, He is my Light,  and He is my perfect Exemplar.

     I so testify that "the best course is to honor our covenants."

With love and compassion for each of you reading,

Katie