Delay

I haven't been able to get Balance 101 part 2 up yet because last Sunday I was asked to give the relief society lesson on this Sunday. I've never given a lesson to grown ups and I'm kind of nervous. And I don't know hardly anyone's names as this will be my second time attending relief society in this ward. I was really surprised they asked me, but didn't think I had a very good reason to say no. I have really enjoyed the preparation portion and am surprised at how much time I have spent. Wish me luck!

Balance 101, part 1

Picture in your mind a man on a stage with a number of plates balanced on top of tall sticks. They are spinning precariously and one begins to wobble. You are sure it will fall, but the man is able to reach it and right it.

I often feel like a less talented version of this man, attempting to keep all of my plates spinning. I have been thinking about this idea for a few weeks now. I believe that the gospel and life are full of opposing ideas that provide a balance: good and evil, sickness and health, care for self and care for others. A sense of well being and joy is the result of good balance. When we are not balanced we experience feelings of uneasiness, frustration and hopelessness to name a few.

One obstacle is that each person's balance is different; we each have different plates. Plates may be such things as personal health, church responsibilities, work, education, family duties, illness, housework or debt. Even more complicated is the name and number of the plates will change as we progress through life.

As I turned to the scriptures to find examples they were a little obscure, but they are there. I thought of Martha (I discussed her last year). In her case the Savior himself pointed out her unbalance. She was too focused on her temporal duties, rather than spiritual matters.
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art ^acareful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath ^achosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

He did not say that she was making a bad choice, but that Mary had chosen the good part.

I thought of Nephi. This example is not as clear, but I read in 2 Nephi 5:6 Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also ^aZoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the ^bwarnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words.

I wonder if Nephi had weighed his different responsibilities of being a leader to his wayward brothers and to his own children. Yes, he was commanded by God to depart. Perhaps it had reached a point where it was no longer possible to care for one group without injuring the other. Nephi, following God's instructions, removed one of his plates.

The last example I thought of was a broad one, the epistles of Paul. In numerous places those early Christians had taken certain doctrines to the extreme. Paul wrote to help bring them back into balance. The people of Thessalonia were under the belief that the second coming of the Lord would be soon. In the Bible dictionary it says that it had "fostered an unhealthy excitement and seemed to countenance improvident idleness." While the doctrine of the second coming was true, the people were placing too much weight and focus on it.

When our equilibrium becomes off something typically happens to bring it to our attention. It can be circumstances colliding, declining health, too much stress, my children's tantrums, etc. They give us a needed wake up call and give us a chance to evaluate our plates and make changes.

In 2010 President Uchtdorf made this statement "There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions." I have a tendency to make things more difficult than they need to be. In part 2 of this balance topic I cover some ideas for finding your own balance.

I will end where I began, the image of the man spinning his plates. Last week I was at the gym, on a bike. As I was thinking about balance I imagined myself on stage struggling with my plates. I felt stretched beyond my abilities and was ready to give up. Suddenly I became aware that the plates were staying in place better. I realized that someone was standing behind me helping- catching the ones that I could not get to. It was my Savior. The picture was so real that it literally took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. I know that help is available to each one of us; you are not alone!

Quick thought

My apologies for my laxness in writing. I think baby girl has an ear infection and I need to take her in tomorrow. We had stake conference today, but we didn't make it :( We had our own little church at home and watched this talk-The Love of God, by President Uchtdorf.

(photo from lds.org)

I think that as much as our little family loves each other we need to do better. Here are a few highlights-

"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk." That is what we are going to work on-having love in our talk.

"When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden." How beautiful! To have our confusion cleared and to finally reach the point where obedience is truly joyful.

"Our Father in Heaven has given us, His children, much more than any mortal mind can comprehend. Under His direction the Great Jehovah created this wondrous world we live in. God the Father watches over us, fills our hearts with breathtaking joy, brightens our darkest hours with blessed peace, distills upon our minds precious truths, shepherds us through times of distress, rejoices when we rejoice, and answers our righteous petitions."

"My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you." I really loved this paragraph. As long as I keep trying I am doing okay. I only fail if I have stopped trying.

I encouraged our family to listen to Heavenly Father's love this week. Since I spend most of my time with the children it is my responsibility to set the example in this. I pray that I will be able to see the love and point it out to my little loves.