Thursday, February 28, 2008

If I Can Change a Tire...

Progress and change--repentence, as the scriptures call it--is one of the hardest things. Oftimes, when you think you are making progress in some areas, you find yourself slipping in others. The "two steps forward,one step back" principle. Life goes fast. Am I constantly progressing? How can I keep moving forward in faith?

Elder Maxwell said "“The pressures of life will mean that we shall be known as we are, that our frailties will be exposed and, hopefully, we shall then work on them."

Whenever we open ourselves up to introspection, and to new relationships, our frailties are exposed and it's a little uncomfortable. It feels like the puff of air the dentist sprays on a tooth that's already been beaten into sensitive submission by his iron pick.

I have so many things to work on, sometimes it's a bit overwhelming, like eating a buffalo for breakfast. One bite at a time, though. One bite at a time.

But you know, isn't that life and why we are all here? Press forward with a brightness of hope, and joy is the reward. Fukuin ga shinjitsu desu ne!!

Jamie, I saw your list of things to do before you're thirty. I'm going to make one for me, but revised the title a bit. I actually have a lot to think about this weekend.

Let us, then, be up and doing
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait
-H.W. Longfellow

2 comments:

Jamie said...

good post i completely agree. This year for me it's for sure been one step forward, two back. Shane and I are going to the temple tonight, though, so hopefully I'll renew some of that spark i need.

Nellie said...

Once again we can all relate to your post. I think the weakness of man is what gets me the most. When I taught school I was so patient but when I became a Mother yikes.....what happened to all that patience. But I have enjoyed the ride...........