Come Follow Me "Here's Mud In Your Eye"

Many, many times while raising children, I silently pondered and wondered, if anything the "village" (primary teachers, scout leaders, young women leaders, parents and priesthood friends) had been teaching my children could possibly be sinking into their thoughts.

My own children and the many related and unrelated children who came and went from my home were subject to the same teachings, scolding's and chores, but.... were they learning?  

Fast forward two whole decades into the future, where my grandson Kye was at the table drawing a picture of a face.  The face turned out to be mine with one squinted eye and another small eye, destined to need glasses. The squinted eye in his drawing was clearly unable to see.  The discussion began, I let Kye know that Jesus performed miracles and put mud on a blind man's eyes so he could see.  It was my secret hope the drawing of my face soon be the recipient of a miracle and the plight of my vision deformities might be rendered with sight.

Drey jumped into the conversation and clarified the story he recently learned from his primary class.  He said, "It wasn't mud, it was Jesus's spit mixed with clay and then Jesus put it on the man's eyes."   "Jesus told the man to go wash in the water and he'd be able to see".

Here's the proof I needed, he has been secretly listening to the "village" of people sent to care for him. YES! it's working, the lessons are sinking in. 

Drey verified the details of the story for the family and I am proudly rejoicing in the knowledge and faith in our Heavenly Father, his son Jesus Christ and the village.  I am thankful for their miracles and the stories that exist in the hearts and minds of my children and grandchildren. 

Jesus heals a man born blind

John 9:1-41 

Come Follow Me “Frankly Forgive”

Simon the Pharisee was quick to remark on the transgressions of a woman who came to see Jesus while having dinner in Simons home. Simon felt uneasy and wondered why Jesus, a prophet couldn’t recognize the woman was a sinner.  

Jesus allowed the woman to clean his feet with her tears and the hair from her head.  She used oil to anoint his feet. I imagine the circumstances of keeping your feet clean and soft in Jesus’s time would have been a daunting task. It was a delightful service and tenderness from the woman kneeled at Jesus's feet.  

Simon learned through Jesus’s parable of two debtors, one who owed 500 pence and one that owed 50 pence. A pence was equivalent to a daily salary (Just enough to feed a person for that day). Neither debtor had money to pay and Jesus FRANKLY FORGAVE them both. Jesus asked Simon, which debtor he showed the most love towards. Simon answered, the one with the most debt. Jesus praise him for rightly judging the situation.  

Jesus spoke to Simon and let him know there was no water to wash his feet when he arrived at Simons home and there was no one to kiss his feet.  He mentioned the woman used her tears to wet his feet and she continued to kiss his feet since entering the home. Jesus recounts, there was no oil for my head, but the woman had oil for his feet. Her sins were forgiven because of her attentive caring for her Savior whom she loves much. Because she loves much, much is forgiven. 

Attentively caring for my own Father in the final stages of his life was a tender time. I was humbled by the feelings as I was able to display and the kindness I could give, with the Lords help.   Complete forgiveness was surrendered for the events I grudgingly held in my heart since I was a small child. He was never able to apologize or ask for forgiveness, but I was able to let the hard things go and FRANKLY FORGIVE. 

The forgiveness I was able to give has strengthened my love for the Savior by knowing, within his fold, I can become a more loving person who is willing to forgive. The Savior is looking for humans doing good around him. He is quick to notice you served your neighbor, forgive a friend, or loved the unlovable. You feel his love and appreciation when you feel the spirit in your heart. As I am forgiven for my sins and I forgive others, my love for the Savior deepens. 

Luke 7:36-50

Come Follow Me "Parable of the Mop"

Most months I dread attending fast and testimony meeting. However, I am pleasantly surprised by the love, strength and humbleness I feel after the strong testimonies of the ward members are expressed from the pulpit.  When a testimony is shared during the meeting, there is a vulnerability exposed by all willing to openly share the love they feel from and for the savior.

The Come, Follow Me manual discussed parables during the week of March 18th - 24th  "Who Hath Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear".  Parables were and are used to drive home a lesson learned through real life examples and to help us grow in the Church.  During our last Fast Sunday I felt inspired to share a self proclaimed parable,  "The Parable of the Mop".  It went like this... 

After getting ready for church today I noticed once again the wooden floors in our home had doggy footprints everywhere.  From the back door, through the family room, up the stairs and in the kitchen, down the hall and around the front room and back.  My blood boiled, and I pulled the mop from the closet and said, "Scott! Let me show you how to run this thing."  He sat innocently on the couch, where he was waiting for me to announce that I was ready for church and calmly said, "Do you need to go back to bed and get up on the other side?"  That did it!  I wasn't happy with the floor, or that he didn't want to learn now to run the mop.  I said, "I PAY good money money to have the floors cleaned and ALL you have to do is have the dog wipe his feet, or leave him outside until the mud is rubbed off on the grass before you let him inside".

As soon as I opened my mouth I knew what I said, "I PAY".  Yes, my dirty little secret is out, I do pay to have my floors cleaned.  But it was Sunday, a day when I should be remembering to be my best self.  I found myself getting riled up and when I said the words "I PAY", my mind went immediately to the Savior and "HE PAYED".  He payed the ultimate price with his life and ALL he asks is that we keep the commandments, follow him and be good to each other.  When he asks us these things he knows that we will fail over and over again and yet he still accepts us and gives us another opportunity to do the right things.  I am calling this, "The Parable of the Mop", and it's a reminder to me of what the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ payed for our sins and what he will do and has done to help us learn how to conduct our lives.

Come Follow Me "Open Your Scriptures"

There are times in my life where I feel unsettled, not at peace with myself, fearful, lacking direction, and desiring internal renewal.

Listening to a podcast (latter day article, story, book or radio show) by Melanie Price Wellman reminds me I am not doing my part to become closer to the Savior.  I am not doing the things needed to find peace, clarity and direction.

Visualizing myself with bright beautiful eyes and a smile lighting up the room is spectacular.  My body feels light, agile, physically appealing and healthy.  Wanting this for myself has been a dream of mine for my entire adult life.

I seem to lack the daily fortitude to make the little changes to get to that point.  My mind and heart aren't acting as one to become the person on the outside that I want from the inside.  The  person I see for myself is loving and acting diligently and deliberately to have a healthy body I can use to run, play, love and smile with confidence.  I want a healthy mind with thoughts and actions following the teachings of the scriptures by example and daily deeds.  I want the desire to provide self care and freedom to create without feeling guilt or internal pressure to be somewhere else.

Melanie's talk from the week of April 12th, 2019, "Come, Follow Me", gives the instruction to find peace, clarity and the settled feeling I desire each day.  The message is clear, open your scriptures (Book of Mormon) and take the time to read every day.  Opening them only on the Sunday's you attend church is not enough.  We must, I must open them daily with intent to find clarity, peace and answers I need.  Her example mentions a time she randomly opened her scriptures looking for knowledge and guidance regarding the potential move to a new home.  When she followed the advice given to us by the past and the living Prophet to open her scriptures she discovered her answer within a few verses.  She had the knowledge and teaching ability to instruct her son to reach for his scriptures and he, in turn found comfort and understanding during his parents divorce for which he sought answers. While I am not re-telling Melanie's stories with the exactness and eloquent words she provided, the message is pure, open your scriptures daily.

When we do what the Lord asks, he is bound by his word and will help us with our endeavor to feel at peace, become better saints, have our hearts lightened and become our best selves.  He simply asks, "come, follow me".

The take away is clear, open your scriptures. 

Come Follow Me "Thou Art the Christ"

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has an amazing study manual titled, "Come, Follow Me - For Individuals and Families".  In this manual there are weekly lessons to share with your family, friends and within your own heart.

This weeks section titled, "Improving Our Teaching", a talk by Henry B. Eyring taught us, never miss a chance to gather children together to learn of Jesus Christ.

My grandson, Drey (age 9) was visiting my home.  I asked him what Jesus would look like when he returns to earth to visit us.  He knew immediately the days and night would be different than normal, he knew there would be sunlight when there should be night.  He knew he would recognize him by people’s reactions to a person who was visibly white and glowing.

I appreciate Drey's perspective and knowledge of the coming of Jesus Christ and his love for the Savior.