Last spring I found a book in my house that I had never seen before. I don't know where it came from. I certainly didn't purchase it. I figured someone must have left it, but I don't know when and who it came from. None of my children will admit to leaving it, but none-the-less, it was here for me to read. I picked it up and started reading. What a joy it was. I have loved the things I have been taught. The book is Blessed Are Ye: Finding Your Unique Path to Christ by Chris Huston. It is filled with his thoughts concerning the Beatitude's, the first lessons taught by Christ while he was on the mountainside. All of His teachings, His lessons and sermons, can be found in the simple verses in Matthew Chapter 5. (I have searched for this book on-line but can't find it. The publisher has gone out of business so I don't think it is available any more.)
After reading it I put it aside, but picked it up again to study a bit deeper. With my broken arm I had lots of time to really study the book, along with the scriptures found in each chapter. I decided to really get into the book and learn more about the lessons that I need to learn. I think that is why it was just 'dropped off' at my home.
This week I have poured over verse 9: "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God."
What greater name can we have than to be a child of God? That is one of the first songs we learn in Primary. We teach our children that they are children of God. Why do we have such a difficult time believing that adults are also children of God? Why do we (speaking of myself) not act as though we believe we are children of God? What do I need to change within myself so I am more deserving of that title? It says right in this scripture: Those who are called children of God are the peacemakers.
President Hudson reminds me that I need to have a 'mighty change of heart' as described in Alma 5:14. I need to work on myself to change my heart so I can be a peacemaker. I admit that I fly off the cuff a lot when I need to be more peaceful. I need to be aware of how I can change my attitude so I can see things in a more peaceful frame of mind. I need that change of heart. I am working to remember that, and doing things that have been very difficult so I can bring more peace into my life, and hopefully the life of others, especially my family. I can't change their situations, but I can bring more peace to their minds if I change my heart.
He reminds me that the Golden Rule is just what I need to focus on. I have been the recipient of kindness when I have been in despair. I need to give that kindness to others when I see they need that care. Have you ever felt lonely, sad, or discouraged and someone did something to show they cared? Why is it so hard for me to remember that, to let go of my comfort zone, and give to others when I know how much it helped me? Even if the person needing comfort wasn't the one to give me the encouragement, I need to "pass it on" and help when I see a need. I need to not judge and say they aren't deserving of my care, not leave them alone to take care of their sorrowful feelings themselves. Although they may have gotten themselves into a situation, it doesn't hurt to show that I love them anyway. I know that kind of love helped me. We are told to have unconditional love, so I shouldn't put conditions on my love.
Robert S. Wood is quoted: "...beware of those who stir us up to such anger that calm reflection and charitable feelings are suppressed." (Ensign, May 2006, 93). If I can't show charitable feelings and calmness, I are not able to be a peacemaker, and thereby not able to be called a child of God.
Man! He says so many things that hit home to me, knocked me over the head, and hopefully, I am going to be able to be better. Take this quote from Theodore M. Burton: "Satan would rather have you contend with one another even when we think we are doing it in the cause of righteousness. He knows and recognizes the self-destructive nature of contention under any guise." (Ensign, November 1974, 54).
President Hudson pointed out that we must make peace, by 'gentleness and meekness, and love unfeigned". If we feel there is contention, no peace, then we must make it by showing love unfeigned. I had to look up the word 'unfeigned' to see the true meaning. It means 'real, not fake'. I must love the people I need to make peace with, or those people who need some peace in their life, or those whom I feel contention with. "The peace offered by the Savior calls for empathy rather than judgment, forgiveness instead of resentment, ....active assistance instead of benign neglect, and a life that reflects spiritual dignity instead of natural passions." (Blessed Are Ye, p. 87) I take that to mean I need to feel their pain and want to help them instead of judging them, forgive them instead of feel even a little bit of anger towards them, help them instead of just saying 'Let me know what I can do', and do as Christ would do instead of acting as I normally do. It can be a simple phone call, a text message, a message written just to them on Facebook, a card in the mail, something. That means I need to change a lot!
At the end of the chapter he reminds me that I have the birthright to be God's child, no matter what. But in order to return to Him, and live with Him, I need to learn how to show this love to others.
I know I have a lot of work to do in this area. It isn't something that will just happen because I know it should, it isn't a one time thing, it isn't just change one little thing in my life. It will take a lifetime. I hope people can be patient with me as I go on this journey of change. I won't get it right the first time, the second time, fifth, tenth, or many. I might get it right once in a while. But I will be trying. Please be kind as I work on it.
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