Lessons From the Stable All Year Long

Now that we’re on the “other side” of Christmas I thought I would write a little piece about taking Christmas into the new year. My latest post is called “Lessons From the Stable All Year Long.”  It’s highlighted on my daughters Kendra’s wonderful Blog “The Things I Love Most” as part of her “25 Days of Christmas.”  She asked me to be a guest writer for Christmas day.  My post is right under her closing comments.

You can read this post by going to http://thethingsilovemost.blogspot.com/

I hope you enjoy this thought!  Happy New Year to you all!

The 12 Steps – God’s Rx for Pain – Introduction

My ears suddenly perked up as I heard the teacher say, “Sometimes we refer to addiction as self-medication.” I’ll never forget the moment I was introduced to that concept.  I was sitting in a graduate level class for students desiring to become addiction recovery counselors.  I remember thinking, “That means the call to an addictive substance or behavior does not come out of nowhere.  It comes out of a need to avoid or dull very real physical or emotional discomfort or pain.”

This understanding was reinforced when I read the first paragraph of LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program, A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing, “Many of us began our addictions out of curiosity. Some of us became involved because of a justifiable need for a prescription drug or as an act of deliberate rebellion. Many began this path when barely older than children.  Whatever our motive for starting and our circumstances, we soon discovered that the addiction relieved more than just physical pain.  It provided stimulation or numbed painful feelings or moods. It helped us avoid the problems we faced— or so we thought. For a while, we felt free of fear, worry, loneliness, discouragement, regret, or boredom. But because life is full of the conditions that prompt these kinds of feelings, we resorted to our addictions more and more often.”

As I participate in LDS Addiction Recovery Program meetings I often hear individuals share on the pains they have suffered and the relief that has come as they have taken a particular step.  I wonder—if turning to addictive substances and behaviors is our attempt to self-medicate the personal pain that seems to be such a part of earth life, could it be that each one of the steps of recovery addresses a very specific painful or difficult aspect of our mortal experience? Maybe the war between addiction and recovery is a battle between the world’s prescription and the Lord’s prescription for pain.

Whether we struggle with addiction or not, we are all experiencing the pains of earth life and these 12 Steps represent powerful Gospel principles with potential to help any of us.  If I simply let my mind wander through our family and around our the block and I see the pain of economic insecurity, the pain of being single, the pain of raising a family, the pain of trying to do all that seems needful in each day, the pain of children making poor choices, the pains associated with growing older, the pain of raising children born with infirmities.  Even as I write today we have a new little baby in our family fighting for his life.  I find it critical to my spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing to know where and how to deal with pain in a way that brings real lasting relief, the relief that comes through Jesus Christ.

Over the next few days I’m going to take a walk through each of the 12 Steps, examining each one for its pain relieving qualities.  As you read you may want to keep in mind some painful aspect of your own situation and think about how each of the 12 Steps might bring relief.

(To be continued)

By Nannette W.  Posted Tuesday, October17, 2011

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All rights reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit.  This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

“Mom, Don’t You Think I’d Be Like One of Those Guys?” – Patience with the Process

Before we get too far into October I have a thought that was inspired by ten words spoken this year, by a little boy, on September 11th. My four young grandchildren woke up and got going on the day, like it was the same as any other. They busied around taking care of the standard daily kind of things – bed making, jimmies back in the drawer, a little cold cereal, the trash emptied, and a little time improving skills at the piano. As they proceeded on this fall morning, with the regular things of life, my daughter – their mother, realized that although September 11th was significant to her and will be forever imprinted on her mind, her four young children knew little or nothing about its importance. She determined to sit down with them and see what she could do to pass on the meaning of a day she had actually experienced, a day that has simply become a piece of history for the nations children.

I imagine that for my Grandchildren it was like the day I came home and told my mother that we were learning about World War II in school and she proceeded to describe what is was like to sit around the radio as a twelve year old girl and hear President Roosevelt announce that our country was under attack, or the day I shared with my children what it was like to wake up, as a young girl to the news that someone had shot the President of the United States – and then his brother, or where I was on the Junior High grounds the day we lost Martin Luther King, that man who had a magnificent dream for our country.

Before they got too far into the day my daughter gathered her little crew around her and unfolded for them the details of her life on September 11th 2001. She described where she had been when she received the news that our country was under attack, how it felt to turn on the TV and watch with horror and disbelief as the Twin Towers fell over and over again, replay after replay. She got out old newspaper clippings and tried the best she could to help them understand the great sadness that came over the world because of the tremendous loss of life. She told them stories of sacrifice and tried to convey the tenderness towards humanity and the love of country that awoke in her that autumn day. “Ethan,” she said, “All this happened when you were a brand new baby. You know how your baby blanket is red, white and blue? Why do you think I made it out of those colors?” Suddenly, an under-appreciated piece of Ethan’s life took on new meaning. “Oh!” he said with newfound understanding. “I never knew!”

She finished her history lesson by telling them about the sacrifice of the men and women on Flight 93, how they had determined to do whatever it took to fight back and put a stop to the death and destruction of that day even though it meant giving everything they had to give. “Because of their sacrifice they kept their airplane from crashing into the White House or the Capitol and killing countless others.” Ethan’s eyes grew bigger and bigger. For this little 8-year-old Jedi, with a closet full of light sabers, this real life tale of people willing to oppose the dark side with there lives if necessary, hit home. It struck him in a way all parents hope the lessons of history will strike their children. Speaking of the willingness to fight back to the point of the ultimate sacrifice he said, “Mom, don’t you think I’d be like one of those guys? Don’t you think I’d fight the bad guys like they did?”

I had just gotten home from an evening Addiction Recovery Meeting when my daughter called to say good night and to share this experience. Ethan’s simple innocent question struck a tender chord inside of me. I had just spent an hour and a half with a group of individuals who at one time in their lives had probably been as hopeful of making future courageous choices as my grandson. Somewhere along the way though, we encountered the unpredictability of life and the reality of the forces of evil, combined with our own weaknesses. In one way or another we had each become a disappointment to ourselves.

Thinking of Ethan and his 8-year-old innocent optimism I silently asked,” Dear Heavenly Father, How do we ever cross that great gulf that lies between today’s disheartening reality and yesterday, when we anticipated only the best in ourselves?”

Immediately I pictured myself sitting with Heavenly Father in my pre-earth life, gazing down as history unfolded, watching all the great and brave souls that walked the earth before it was my turn to come down. Inspired and full of pre-mortal optimism, yet completely inexperienced with the rigors of the test just ahead, I looked on and asked, “Father, don’t you think I’d be like them? Don’t you think I’d do what they did? Don’t you think I’d be that kind of girl?”

In my imagination I could see Him smiling at my innocence and then tears welling up in His loving eyes. “Yes, you have every potential of becoming that kind of a girl, but remember, you will not become such over night and you can only become such with Our help. There is a sure bridge that crosses that great gulf that lies between today’s reality and yesterday’s divine potential. It’s made of patience with the process of becoming, humble reliance on your Heavenly Father and your Savior, Jesus Christ, and remembering again and again and again that you are headed for earth life precisely because you are ‘that kind of girl’ or ‘that kind of boy’ in the making.”

By Nannette W.
Posted Saturday, October 3, 2009

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All rights reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

Humility, It’s About US

We often talk about the need to “be” humble. Today I want to speak of humility as something we can “do” something about. I’m not sure I was ever very acquainted with real humility until receiving understanding through recovery from addiction. Humility was always something pretty nebulous. I was taught that it was something we should possess, something we should seek, but if we thought we had it, we could be assured we didn’t. A pretty complicated concept for a child or an adult!

I was the oldest child of seven, the classic first child – the very responsible second mother type. My parents use to introduce me as their child who, “never gives them any trouble.” That was a hard description to live up to. I certainly was not perfect. I was a victim of the Fall just like the rest of mortality. In my mind the gulf between me and perfection was much greater than anyone knew. I was pretty sure I was humble because I didn’t like myself very much.

Today I understand that the feeling of self-disapproval does not constitute real humility. Humility is a keen awareness of God’s qualities and my need for Him. I must come to believe that, in spite of my weaknesses, God knows me, and loves me, and can be trusted with me and with the other people in my life!

Sometimes we use the adjective “humble” to describe someone who is shy or fearful, someone who lacks confidence, someone full of negative feelings about themselves, but a life of true humility is a life driven by the Gospel principles embodied by the 12 Steps. This is the description of humility as a way of life. It’s the description of a relationship:

1. Be honest about my need for help
2. Develop the hope of receiving divine help because of Jesus Christ
3. Trust Him with my problems and the problems of others
4. Be willing to look at the truth about me
5. Confess the truth about me
6. Become willing to be changed
7. Ask Him to change me
8. Become willing to look at how my imperfections have effected others
9. Make amends
10. Be accountable for my behavior every day
11. Seek His direction and power
12. Be willing to help others find this path and then allow this humble stance with the Lord to begin to order more and more areas of my life

When we use the word “humble” in regard to another person we are describing the kind of relationship they seem to have with God. To grow in humility is to live in greater and greater awareness of His magnificence and my tremendous need and to receive all the love and direction and power He extends my way. The word “humble” describes my part of a right relationship with God. Humility is never about me. It’s always about Us. Humility is not about loathing myself. It’s about loving my God!

By Nannette W.
Posted Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All rights reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

Practice Makes Progress – Principles For a Lifetime

I can’t remember when I took my first piano lesson, but as far back as I can remember, practicing the piano daily was a part of my routine. In my elementary school years my teacher was the traveling variety. She came highly recommended, gray haired, thick-rimmed glasses, and very old. Once a week I would sit at the piano with her and try to demonstrate that I had made some kind of progress in the six days of rehearsal between this lesson and the last. She was what you might call a “hands on” teacher, always grabbing at my fingers, stretching them this way and that, correcting my fingering, not with a word or two, but with what I thought was brute force. My mother sat on the couch at my back. Sometimes I would put my hands behind my back and rub and sooth my poor fingers just to show my mother that I was not a happy musician. Eventually, like most kids, I won out and the lessons stopped. I remember crying though. It’s funny how we know we are going to miss something, even when we have fought so hard and finally won.

In high school I decided to give the piano another try. I had a wonderful teacher. Each week my mother would take me to her home where I would take a lesson in her lovely studio on a shiny, black, grand piano. She taught me how to practice and she taught me to love the piano. My mother was a stickler for daily practice. I got up before it was light and practiced before early morning Seminary. During this time I made great progress. My practice was consistent and I experienced the joy of working until I really felt that a piece of music was not perfect, but was “coming right along.” One of the pieces I worked hard on was by Bach. It was one in a series of Two Part Inventions. It was fast and challenging.

I haven’t spent much consistent time at the piano for many years. I still have my copy of the Bach piece and one day, just for fun, I gave it a whirl. Let’s just say it was only slightly better than if I had never ever laid eyes on it. Not long after, I was preparing to teach the Gospel Doctrine Lesson. The subject was decidedly important but one that would be very familiar to my students. I wondered as I sat preparing the lesson, “Why do we have to go over the same things time and time again?” Then my Two Part Invention by Bach came to mind.

That Sunday I opened the class by announcing I had something very exciting I wanted to share with my ward family, a little introductory musical number. I told them that it was a piano piece from my youth and that I remembered working and working on it hour upon hour for months.

Well, of course, it was terrible! I pretended utter embarrassment, came away from the piano and back to my teaching position. I explained that the constant review and practice of Gospel principles is critical to our progress. What we once knew has to be constantly renewed. Without repeated study and self-examination we not only quit making spiritual progress, we actually regress!

Alma puts it this way, “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:26)

According to the prophets, in order to maintain and deepen the progress we have made toward Eternal Life as we have applied the principles of the Gospel, we have to continue our devoted application of the principles that have blessed us thus far.

The same truth that holds true with Gospel principles in general also holds true to the application of the 12 Steps. Without continued practice my answer to Alma’s question will have to be, “No, I cannot feel so now.” I’ve had people ask me, “Nannette, Do you have to live this way the rest of your life? When can you say you’ve “recovered? When do you graduate?” My answer is that I strive to live every day in recovery, in a recovered and growing relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. There is no graduation, at least not in this life.

If I stop practicing these principles, my progress will eventually be as rusty as my resent Sunday school recital. Most of us are familiar with the old saying “Practice Makes Perfect.” I have to admit that as of yet my practice has never made anything perfect. I vote we change the saying to “Practice Makes Progress.”

By Nannette W.
Posted Friday, April 3, 2009

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All rights reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

“You’re Excited About My Tonsillectomy?” – All Steps

I called my granddaughter, Eliza, today to see if everything was finalized for her surgery. Apparently all is in order and tomorrow she will have her tonsils and adenoids removed. Her poor little throat is so full of tonsils the size of marbles she can hardly breathe.

“I’m so excited for you Eliza!” I said in reaction to the upcoming event.

“Excited!!! You are??? Why???”

“Well, you are going to feel so much better. You’re going to sleep better and be so much healthier.”

“Oh. OK,” she said with some disbelief and the, “My Grandma is a little crazy!” sound in her voice.

I have conversations like this one with people nearly every day – not concerning tonsillectomies, but in regard to applying the 12 Steps to personal problems that have become debilitating. I am sincerely excited for newcomers, for the prospect for recovery and healing and progress that lies ahead for them. When I share my optimism with those just starting to apply the Steps to their lives their reaction is often just like Eliza’s. “Excited!!! You are??? Why???”

My response is, “I’m excited for you because if you continue on this road, life is going to get better and better. I know it’s hard to imagine.” I have a friend who is a fellow missionary in the Church’s Addiction Recovery Program. I love and resonate with the answer he gives when people ask him what he does as a missionary. “I watch the miracles happen,” is his reply.

Eliza is going to submit to the cure for all the problems cause by over sized, infected tonsils, based on the testimony of the doctor, her parents, and of course her Grandma Nan. To those individuals just beginning their journey through the 12 Steps I invite you to submit to the marvelous healing power of Jesus Christ, accessed by applying these 12 simple principles. You can rest on the experience of countless men and women who have gone before you. Everyday we watch miracles happen, and the next one is going to be you! That’s why I’m excited for you.

By Nannette W.
Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All rights reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

“Mommy, I Just Wanted To Get A Violin, Ya Know, Just Have One!”

Helping children with music lessons is definitely upper division training for parents. I can’t even imagine how many hours I’ve spent tutoring at the piano, encouraging from the kitchen sink, and sitting through lessons. My biggest adventure into the unknown came when my youngest daughter asked if she could please play the violin. Having no idea what that involved but being open to her young desire to go where no musician in our family had ever dared go, I went to the local music store and brought home a very tiny violin, rent to own. I hired a teacher and for over a year my little girl and I worked together Suzuki style.

I will spare you all the details, mostly because I don’t remember them. What I do remember is that much of the time it was not a very happy experience. Let’s just say that there was great resistance at the requirement to practice. During one such trying crying session my five-year-old little musician and I had the following conversation.

“Am I finished Mom?”
“Just one more thing to practice honey.”
“But I don’t want to practice. I just wanted to get a violin mommy, ya know, just have one!”

I recorded her words in my journal in 1987 because they made me laugh, but also because I can relate, though not in regard to the violin. There was a moment in my past when my Father promised me the opportunity to learn to work with an instrument of His creation and I “shouted for joy” at the prospect. Even so, there are days when I could have the following conversation with Him:

“Am I finished Heavenly Father? Have I learned enough today?”
“Just one more lesson honey.”
“But I don’t want to practice. I just wanted to get a body Heavenly Father, ya know, just have one!”

Our daily rehearsal is carried out between body and spirit. Our spirit is the living player and our otherwise lifeless body the magnificent instrument. The body, although excellent and intricate, having been wonderfully made by The Master Craftsman, is as lifeless as a fine violin sitting in its case. But when brought together with the living spirit, as violin to violinist, there is tremendous promise. Together our body and spirit have magnificent potential.

May we continue our daily practice! May we never give up! May we internalize the truth that at one time we literally stood in the presence of God and cheered at the prospect, not only of having a body, but working with it, practicing, training, taking lesson after lesson, rehearsing with this Godly gift until we reach our full potential, until we become like Him!

By Nannette W.
Posted Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W.
All rights reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

"I’ll Get Out And Sit With You" – All Steps

My sister recently told me about an experience I want to share. One morning during the holiday break Jane called her daughter Amy. It was her grandson’s 1st birthday. No official extended family celebration had been planned. After their phone visit Jane had the thought that it would be fun to pick up all the local cousins and drive the hour and a half for a spur of the moment party for the birthday boy. She called her daughter to let her know they would be coming. Amy was thrilled.

“The way down was really quite pleasant,” she explained. “I put Carter and Drew (around age 4) in the very back seat, the two two-year-olds in the middle seats by the doors, and Abigail (age 7) between them to help them out if needed. We listened to children’s music all the way there. When we got there we ate a simple meal, opened presents, and ate cake shaped like a horse along with ice cream. Then, not wanting to get home too late, we said our goodbyes. It took me about 15 minutes just to get everyone back into their car seats! This was quite an undertaking!”

“The ride home from the party did not go quite as well as the ride to the party. Abbie, the 7-year-old “mother in training” started things out by turning around, looking at the 4-year-old cousins in the back seat and saying, “Now when I click my fingers like this…. it means that you guys better behave!” I should have known that was a sign. By now it was dark outside. About 10 minutes into the drive, Drew and Carter began to get wild, and Drew punched Carter in the face. Carter wailed! He called up to the front seat and told me what had happened and I scolded Drew and told him to stop, but as time went on, things didn’t change. I was very frustrated and after several more tries from the front seat, I decided it was time for new measures. I pulled the car over, got out and leaned over the back seat to get to Drew. I think he was a bit surprised. I shook my finger at him and said, “Now if you don’t cut this out right now, I’m going to put you outside in the cold and you can sit out there and settle down. Do you understand me?” “Yes,” he replied.”

“Needless to say it was quiet for several minutes and I was grateful. Then I heard this little voice come from the back seat. It was Drew, who said, ‘Well, grandma…if you put me outside the car, I won’t know where you are and I’ll maybe get lost.’”

“Then I heard the sweetest response, also from the back seat. Carter (who had been the receiver of the hitting) said, ‘Hey Drew, that’s OK, I’ll get out and sit with you.’”

“I felt at that moment I had been taught by a little child. I saw a parallel, vividly. In my mind Drew was like you and I and Carter was like Jesus.”

Step 3 says, “Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete sanity.” The most stunning aspect of the Lord’s power to restore us is His patience in the face of our outbursts and His loving willingness to sit with us. We’ve each hurt the Savior on more than one occasion and He’s felt the pain, more than we can ever understand. But the Savior, like Carter, is always willing to and in fact continues to sit out in the cold with us, until we are ready to behave and get back into the car for the rest of the journey.

By Nannette W.
Posted Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All right reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

Recovery and The Stable – All Steps – Part Five

This is the forth and final part of a set of posts dedicated to looking for 12 Step principles taught through the people, events, and symbols of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Today we will look at The Journey to the Manger.

The Journey to the Manger – Steps 1, 2 and 3 “I can’t! He can! I think I’ll let Him!

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 1)

There seem to have been only a hand full of ancient people who took the journey to see the newborn King on that first Christmas night. The journey required of the rest of God’s children is not the journey to Bethlehem, but it is a journey to the King. Moroni describes our travel to the Lord as “coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him,” (see Moroni 10:32)

In early application of the 12 Steps the number one question in our minds is “I wonder how long this is going to take?” Many of us are convinced that the distance between Jesus and us is literally insurmountable.

My witness is that the journey to Him is not long. In fact is it’s as short as taking Steps 1, 2, and 3. Step 1 – I can’t. Step 2 – He (Jesus Christ) can! Step 3 – I think I’ll let Him. That’s the journey to Him, Our Heavenly King!

In the book Alcoholics Anonymous on page 58-59 we read, “Remember that we deal with alcohol — cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power — that one is God. May you find Him now!” We are invited by the recovering alcoholic to believe in the immediate availability of God.

Although the work of recovery is life long, I find that once I turn to Him, He joins me on the road. It’s really not so very far to “Bethlehem,” to that place where we meet up with Jesus. The imagined mile between the Lord and us shortens every time we admit our need and turn our minds and our hearts to Him for direction and power. Every time we do so we invite Him to be our traveling companion!

“May we find Him now!” That is my Christmas wish for all of us weather we struggle with addiction or with any other hardship mortality has to offer. Every day I have to let go once again of the fear and pride that reduce my speed, delay my progress, and keep Him at arms length, unable to work in my life. Our recovery, our healing, our progress on the road to Bethlehem and thereafter was His sole purpose in coming to earth that Christmas night so long ago. My work is to not stand in His way. You and I can take the trip to Bethlehem as we Admit Our Need and Turn Our Minds and Our Hearts To Him For Direction and Power.

Conclusion

As children acting out the nativity story on Christmas Eve our understanding is very limited, but we know by the way we feel that this story, this little drama we present is different from all others. It is later, when we have experienced much of mortality that we come to know that recovery, healing, and all progress are made possible through the Atoning sacrifice of this little baby in the manger bed. The elements that were closest to Him at His birth: Angel, Mary, Joseph, Stable, Shepherds, star, and Wise Men each teach us something we need to understand in order to fully receive the blessings of the life He gave for us.

The last several posts have been dedicated to likening the story of the birth of Jesus Christ unto ourselves and our application of the 12 Steps. I’m sure the things we might learn from the people, events and symbols of this story are endless. My thoughts on this subject are my Christmas gifts to each of you. I know the Holy Spirit delights to teach us of Him in all things. May our lives be filled with the blessing of personal, divine insight and all the blessings of Christmas!

Merry Merry Christmas to you all!

Nannette

By Nannette W.
Posted Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All right reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.

Recovery and The Stable – All Steps – Part Four

This is the forth part of a set of posts dedicated to looking for 12 Step principles taught through the people, events, and symbols of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Today we will look at The Shepherds.

The Shepherds – Step 11 Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord’s will and to have the power to carry it out.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord…” (Luke 1)

The angelic words to the Christmas Shepherds that stand out to me are, “For unto you is born this day…” It is in the fields with the sheep and their caretakers that we learn that God sends angels to ordinary people like you and me.

When we are new and so imperfect at applying the 12 Steps most of us are filled with amazement, even shocked at feel the presence, love, direction and power of the Lord in our lives. Quoting from one who has struggled much: “Could this feeling I feel possible be the Light of Christ or the Holy Ghost? I haven’t been to Church or prayed or read the scriptures in years. I’ve done so many things I’m ashamed of. I know I must be a complete disappointment to God. But this feeling I have in my heart is so hopeful! What is it?”

Those who have been where we are and have worked hard to “live in recovery” by applying these principles help us begin to understand. They share with us that this feeling we are experiencing is the result of the Lord’s desire to help us and evidence that He is at work in our hearts and in our lives. After we have begun to feel His love and see His hand the great challenge is to continue to believe and receive. I find I have to consciously push away the doubt that threatens my ability to act on my newfound connection with divine help.

The shepherds are the symbol and sweet reminder of God’s very real interest in ordinary people. I’m so grateful they didn’t doubt their own experience. They didn’t stand around after the angels departed saying, “Wait a minute! This kind of thing doesn’t happen to shepherds?” No, they sought out the Christ child. The scriptures say they went with hast. I must seek Him too, and immediately, no matter how ordinary or unfit I think I am, because the Lord reveals himself to shepherd and other ordinary people such as myself. You and I can be like the Shepherds as we Do Not Doubt and Go With Hast!

Wise Men – All Steps

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2)

These earthly kings offer their riches to the Christ. That’s what I wish I could take to Jesus too, things that are beautiful, all shined up and smelling lovely. But He asks me to offer my whole soul. Some of that package isn’t very pretty. He asks me to offer Him my sins as well as my talents. Will I offer Him the best I have along with the worst? Will I offer Him all I have, all I am? He says He is like a refiners fire and can turn me into gold. To the Lord, you and I are the most important gold in the universe, gold in the making, gold in process. You and I can be like the Wise Men as we Offer Our Whole Souls As An Offering Unto Him!

Tomorrow the conclusion of this series.

By Nannette W.
Posted Monday, December 22, 2008

Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All right reserved. Making or sending copies is permitted if the page is not changed in any way and the material is not used for profit. This notice must be included on each copy made or sent.