The jist of my talk was this: Give people the benefit of the doubt.
We all have expectations of people and products, as described by my Tickle story, but when it comes right down to it, Christ didn't lecture the woman brought to Him in adultery. He told her to go and sin no more. He knew what she needed and didn't need to hear. So there wasn't critisizm, scorn, or a lecture. He sent her on her way. The reason we can give people the benefit of the doubt is because Christ is the only One who knows motives, histories and hearts. Assuming
we know and emotionally reacting to them, doesn't draw us any closer to the Savior.
Who is another perfect example of this? Pahoran. Alma 60. Moroni didn't mince words. His army was being beaten, starved, they were losing ground and even the women and children were being murdered. He sent notice to Pahoran for provisions and heard nothing, so he wrote again but this time he called Pahoran thoughtless, slothful, wicked and even a traitor. These accusations were extremely offensive in a day when your word is your bond. But what did Pahoran do? After explaining that his seat had been usurped he said, "...in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart." Moroni was seeing people he loved die. All he wanted was liberty and Pahoran saw that instead of seeing a hot-headed epistle writer who had no clue what he, Pahoran was dealing with. Get it?
So the next time your spouse doesn't listen to you, some guy pulls out in front of you or some stranger scolds your children, give them the benefit of the doubt. You don't know where they have been. And include yourself as well. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt. The spirit will let you know what is needful in improving, but knows when you're running faster than is necessary. We need this in our homes, neighborhoods, communities and heaven knows we need it in our country right now.
For more on this topic I highly highly highly recommend the book, "Bonds that Make Us Free" by the Arbinger Institute.
What's the deal with Lot's wife anyway? That is what I learned about today. But it's late. I'll write my thoughts about her later.
Note: I'm actually enjoying this bloggio thing Karrie. I'm still kinda writing it for you, so I hope you enjoy it. I could just email you all my random thoughts....but why when I have such nice pictures on my blog?
All you have to do is give Madelyn a big smile and she'll respond with the same. I love it. She is growing too fast, as all babies do and I don't like it!!
We had a fabulously sunny, perfect weather day at the Tucson Zoo. All the animals were out and quite active, which was new for me. Every time I go to a zoo animals just seem lazy and spoiled only rousing when dinner's on the stick. But these animals were definitely out and about, which was really cool. The polar bear was swimming around, doing flips, making faces and pooting for everyone to smell. It was great! That's my kind of zoo! Okay so the latter two details were lies, but he was awesome to watch.
