I hope this week's talk will bring you all a little more joy.
My friend Megan had this little story on her blog. I thought it was very fitting with this talk today. I hope you all have a wonderful week. (thanks Megan, your always an inspiration to me :)
One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old 'blue hair' about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, 'Ice Cream, please. Two scoops,chocolate.'I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast.'Along with heated apple pie,' Mae added, completely unabashed.We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down.The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae.I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait.I smiled. She asked if she amused me.I answered, 'Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, 'I'm tasting all that is Possible.I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should.But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before.''So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes.I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face.I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast.I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain.I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again.So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner,then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner,because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire.I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.'With that, I called the waitress over.. 'I've changed my mind, ' I said.'I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!'
Challenge of the Week: Comment on this post something today that brought you joy.
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Thursday, September 4, 2008
Week 33: Joy in the Journey
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Shauntell
ReplyDeleteOnce again another great talk. And you know that I can never pass up a challenge. As I am sitting here supposedly preparing to teach my class this afternoon I was getting a little sentimental and sad. Todays topic in class is premature birth and other complications at birth. I was looking at the pictures of Brant as a preemie and remembering how hard it was. I saw your talk and decided I should instead focus on how well things turned out and all of the blessings I have recieved from this challenge. I have 4 great and healthy kids and I am going to enjoy them today. I have been reminded multiple times over the past weeks to enjoy the now and not to worry about the past or focus on the future. Thanks for another reminder.
Gina,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for accepting the challenge. It is not until after some challenges pass that we see or even feel the joy that they bring/brought.
Today I felt joy when My 3 year old kissed me on the cheek, when my 9 year old obeyed my every order to help clean the house without complaint! I felt joy this morning when my husband kissed me goodbye and told me he would miss me while the kids and I are gone until Monday. I felt joy meeting and making new friends and hearing from older ones (not that your old Gina). I felt joy today because my hair looked good. I feel joy today because I know that God lives and that he loves me. I know it because I have seen the things he has done for me just today and they have brought me joy.
Great talk Shauntell...wow 2 weeks of President's Monson talks; that right there makes me feel joy to know that we have a true and living prophet here on this earth! :) The talk reminded me of that saying "Life is not a destination, it's a journey"
ReplyDeleteI feel joy in my kids, in my husband, in my sometimes messy living room (because I know the kids are playing hard & having fun)I feel joy in my savior, in the gospel, in frienships. I feel joy in the fact that people are now commenting on this blog and we can see how much our efforts are helping others! Hooray!! :)
What a great reminder again. You guys are both amazing and I feel joy just having you around me to teach and be good examples to me.
ReplyDeleteIf we sit back and aren't so busy I think we are reminded all day long how lucky you are, how individually each day God takes the time to show us that he loves us and is aware of our needs.
Most recently I thought this when you called out of the blue just to visit. I was having a day and you were intune enough to know. It was a great reminder to me that in little ways each day our Heavenly Father looks for simple ways to let us know he is very aware of us.
With all the stress and worry of three children on different school schedules, a husband with health not up-to-par, running a business, YW presidency, Volunteer scheduler for Prop 8 and … I find joy in helping Jacob get the right answers in Algebra (even though it has been 20 or so years since I did Algebra), making a recipe that everyone enjoys, picking tomatoes from my garden, having prayers answered, nose kisses from Jon, cheer notes from Clarissa and nightly prayer with Jerry and so much more! I feel so blessed to have dear friends and family and though each day may bring trials I find comfort in know who I am and to whom I belong!
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