Charity

Last Sunday, in Sacrament Meeting, our topic was charity.  Sacrament Meetings are usually spent trying to keep Corie from running all over tarnation!  However, this Sunday, I had some angels who were helping me with my kids.  Corie was actually holding still and stayed on the bench!  It was amazing!  So, I was able to listen to the talks.  We often hear of people giving talks or else hearing a talk that was just made for them, specifically.  Well, that was this case.  First of all, the young Mom (Sister Sevy) who spoke has such a talent for speaking!  She just has a way of speaking that her words and thoughts are just perfectly organized.  Mark my words, she will be a general board member some day!    Her son and grandparents, that were watching him, sat in front of us as Mom and Dad spoke.  He was adorable and would say, "Mom! Mom! Mom!  Dad! Dad! Dad!" over and over!  I loved it!  Anyway, back to her talk!  She shared a story that really touched me and I totally related to it.  Previous to moving to St. George, they lived in Colorado while her husband went to medical school.  She spoke of a sister in her ward who had made it known they they were financially burdened and did not have much.  However, she saw this woman spend money on things they didn't need, etc.  Sister Sevy spoke about how this really bothered her and got to a point where it consumed her thoughts and caused many negative feelings toward this sister.  Then, and I forget why this happened, she knew she needed to change her attitude and her feelings toward this sister.  So, she began praying to have charity, love, and care toward this sister.  She talked about the change she felt come over her and how her heart softened and changed toward this woman.

This really struck me because I have people I am surrounded by who I KNOW are making choices that are not good choices.  I know that they know better and should be making changes.  I've let it eat at me and make me angry and frustrated and I just don't understand.  Where I used to have feelings of love, friendship, and understanding, I now have frustration, sometimes disgust, etc.  I know that these are not the feelings I should be having.  First and foremost, I am making HORRIBLE judgments towards this individuals!  I don't walk in their shoes every day, I don't know all the battles they fight, and it is NOT my place to choose what's right or wrong for them. More than anything, I should be their friend, support, and someone they can talk to if needed.  That's what the Savior would do and would expect from me in return.  I am definitely not perfect, I definitely make wrong choices and I know better too!  Mike and I are currently going through some pretty crappy stuff and I know I wouldn't want to be judged for the choices we are making or are suffering for right now.

So, I am choosing to do as this sweet sister did.  I have started to pray for charity.  I have started to WANT to love these individuals again and be there for them.  Just because I don't agree with their choices doesn't mean I have to turn on them.  I have only been doing this for a couple days but, I already feel a change in myself.  I don't feel consumed by the negative feelings I used to have.  I know that charity is a quality that my Heavenly Father wants me to always have and that's something I'm trying to gain.