Once again, it’s my children who teach me how to be a better me.
A few months ago my missionary daughter mentioned how much she loved reading Jesus the Christ by James E Talmage. I shared that I had read it years ago and we had a sweet chat about it.
A few weeks later she mentioned again how much she was absolutely devouring reading Jesus the Christ. I felt a twang of, I should reread that, and we went on with the conversation.
A few weeks later she mentioned how much she had learned so much from finishing reading Jesus the Christ.
And I felt–I want to read that.
One morning after working out and watering the garden, I sat down on the deck chair. In the quiet of the summer morning and with a breeze of a thought, I opened the app on my phone to Jesus the Christ.
Just a simple moment and a casual choice.
But as I read the first few paragraphs, I felt a tender, unexpected, wash of love. A feeling that I can’t describe but that made me feel overwhelmed with the thought that He was glad I wanted to know Him more. The feeling continued longer than a moment, until I felt assured of that love and happiness. It was a very simple moment. Totally unplanned. Unexpected. And yet it was like an infusion of love.
I share that very personal experience for one reason only: it has shifted me. Not burning bush style, exactly, but sort of–in that it was on my back deck, on a quiet morning, in an absolutely everyday moment.
I’ve learned, once again, that striving to live truth and love God and His Son is what I can only describe as everyday sacred. It happens anytime, anywhere, as we strive to do our best to follow and love them.
My striving (stumbling, tripping, walking around in a clueless daze) is leading me to learn. Just learn more about Jesus Christ. No specific plan or cracking of my spiritual knuckles. No intense learning schedule, just reading Jesus the Christ in between daily dos. And rewatching Bible videos on the Savior sometimes at night before bed. And listening to talks about who He is and what He taught while getting ready for the day.
Because I really want to.
And here’s been the surprise. In simple, everyday ways, the more I’m learning, the more I’m loving Him.
And the more I love Him, the more I’m loving those around me.
My relationship with my children has deepened. I’m able to see them and their lives in ways I haven’t understood or had the ability to do. I’m more connected to my loved ones, more patient, more open in my communication, more understanding.
I smile more. I laugh more. I WANT to organize my office.
These are small and simple shifts. Nothing seemingly shazam. But I can feel it. And it’s profound.
And what surprises me more is that this shift is such a simple, everyday, peaceful, extremely normal choice.
His love makes a difference. It makes all the difference. And the more that I get to know Him–really want to get to know Him–I’m becoming different.
What is one thing that resonates with you to know Him better today?
