Endure

I gave a short talk on enduring to the end today in Relief Society.

President Monson said..."What does it mean to endure? I love this definition: to withstand with courage. Courage may be neccessary for you to believe; it will at times be necessary as you obey. It will most certainly be required as you endure until that day when you will leave this mortal existence."

The Savior promised, "Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."  3Nephi15:9

I think of the Savior suffering and bleeding from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane, the perfect example of enduring to the end. He said.. "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." so He finished, enduring to the end and He did our Heavenly Father's will.

DH Groberg shares a story of a young man running in a race. He really wanted to show his father he could win the race but as they headed down a hill he fell. The crowd laughed, and the young boy was embarrased until he looked and found his father who had a steady look on his face, which to the boy so clearly said get up and win the race.

So he jumped up and began to run, going extra fast to catch up, his mind went faster then his legs, he slipped and fell again. The crowd laughed louder but again he found his father's face with that steady look that said get up and win the race.

He continued to run and once again fell, feeling defeated he almost quit, but then he thought about his Father, whom soon he'd have to face...with borrowed will get up he said, you haven't lost at all, for winning is no more then this, to rise each time you fall.

So up he jumped to run once more, but with a new commit; he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit. They cheered the winning runner, as he crossed the line first place, head high and happy, no falling no disgrace. But when the fallen youngster crossed the line last place, you would have thought he won the race to listen to the crowd. And to his dad he sadly said, I didn't do so well. To me you won, his father said, you rose each time you fell.

I think of this story when I fall or make mistakes, and I'd like to think if Heavenly Father could show his face and encourage me to get back up, he would.

For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all. And all we have to do to win, is rise each time we fall.

Quit, give up, your beaten, they still shout in my face; but another voice within me say's get up and win the race.

Couldest not thou watch...

I am working in the Seattle Temple now and I am having amazing experiences. The demeanor of the sisters I work with has impacted me for the good. Being around women in the business world, you have a different experience then being around women in the Temple; joined as sisters united in Christ. I am making such wonderful friendships that I assume will last a lifetime.

 

One recent experience humbled me. There are Temple workers throughout the Temple at different post's available to help. One such post is at the entrance of the Temple, one or two sisters stand at the front in case someone needs directions or questions; you are at this post for 1 hour. There is not that much interaction here, especially so early in the morning. I was standing there alone for 10 minutes and it felt like 45 minutes...you know the feeling, like you're watching paint dry. The spirit gently nudged me and a scripture came to mind...Could not thou watch one hour?  I prayed for forgiveness and a renewed attitude followed. After 30 minutes, a Bishop from a previous ward came through the doors with his wife and their son who was going through the Temple for the first time before his mission. It was a choice experience welcoming them on such a special day and my heart swelled with good memories from my own first time going through the Temple before my mission.

The take away for me was, The Savior ask's so little from me and yet has given so much to me; providing the very way back to Him and Heavenly Father. I am truly grateful for Him and His influence in my life.

 

  

Mark 14:37

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one ^ahour?