We spend much of our lives making choices. Many of our choices are seemingly inconsequential. We get up, take a shower, do the whole hygiene thing and then we look to the rest of the day. What are the real choices we are making though that effect the lives of others? Are we often judgmental about everything? Why does it matter? We have been given counsel from on high that this is not our right or even our privilege and yet we do it almost without knowing. We have been counseled to be actively engaged and yet we spend almost all of our time on auto-pilot allowing life to happen to us rather than making things happen in our lives.
I think sometimes that completion and fruition are not always the end goal. I would rather see that I am making progress everyday toward improvement. Am I getting better? Are the people in my life making me better? Are my choices and decisions making me better? Am I doing all that I can to help those around me become better? Am I just selfish and looking out for number 1? I hope that is not the case. I hope and pray that I am becoming better. Self evaluation is a good thing. We heard not too long ago in a regional training exercise about a Sunday School lesson where the question was asked "Does satan want you to study the gospel and share it?" " Does your Heavenly Father want you to study the gospel and share it?" "Who's winning?" This is perhaps the best spiritual tool for evaluation I have heard of. It is simple and succinct. So I ask myself "Who's winning?" I need to do this on a daily basis and sometimes even when I encounter and problem that is perplexing. It is very helpful to know that I have the power to effect the outcomes and help my Heavenly Father win in my life.
There are those who often quote the famous Vince Lombardi by stating, "Winning is the only thing that matters" This is erroneous. Coach Lombardi said that "Winning isn't the only thing but having the will to win is." I think in my life there have been times when I should have been more focused on not only winning but rather having the will to win. I have put great faith in my own abilities and left the rest to chance. I have failed miserably in this. It has only been when I have sought the support of the Lord that I have truly succeeded and improved.
As I have evaluated myself I can see the places where I have faltered but He has helped me win and succeed. I know that He does this daily. I am truly grateful for His presence in my life.
As I think about winning everyday, I look to those I choose to have around me and those I cherish most in my life. I am grateful for an Angel Wife that loves and supports me No Matter What. I hope that I can do as much for her. She is my best friend. I take great pride in my sons and their accomplishments. Admittedly I always want to say that they are doing well and succeeding. I think all parents want that but I probably enjoy the fact that people in general recognize that they are good boys and fine men. I have not been their greatest example but I hope that I have always been there for them.
The wind is fierce today as the storm approaches. The clouds build in the west. I am glad for beautiful sabbath days where I am able to witness the power and grace of my Father in Heaven. I am ever thankful that it is He who helps me win one more time every day that I live.
It is Fast Sunday today in preparation for General Conference next weekend. Clay is scheduled to get his Patriarchal Blessing today. I am very excited for him. I am happy for the great change in him. He is a good man.
Caleb has gone off to his meetings at church. Mossy and I are already for church. It is good to put ourselves in that frame of mind that comes so easily and naturally to Carolyn. She is an awesome example in our home. I am so grateful for her.
I will make an end of writing today and look to write more in the future. Perhaps this will be a Sunday Blog for me from now on. It's good therapy and acts a little like a journal.
Win Everyday! Know who's winning in your life.
