FOR THESE THINGS AND MORE I AM GRATEFUL (7)

Since I believe in a pre-mortal existence, I also believe that the development of our spirits in that estate was extensive and that we brought many of our prejudices, preferences, personalities and performances with us into mortality.
However, I also believe that the experiences of mortality have a great influence in the further development of the kind of eternal being we will eventually become. I believe that the activity which most significantly influences the added upon experiences of our present estate is the interaction we have with others. There seems to be necessity that we continue our progression until our body and our spirit develop into a harmonious eternal being.

In this, as in all things, the Savior is our example. We know that He was greatest among us as we dwelt with our Heavenly Parents in our pre-mortal experience, even becoming nigh unto The Father in all things. We also know that His interactions with – the listeners of every sermon He gave – those whose wounds He bound – every wayward person He chastised – all for whom he completed the Atonement and Crucifixion added to His development until he became perfect like unto the Father in all things.

In life we have relationships which – are momentary, but have a lasting significance in our lives – are continuous and constant and all too often taken for granted – come in a season of greatest need and then disappear into the recesses of foggy remembrances and spring back into consciousness in unexpected moments – are generated by word alone without any personal earthly interactions with their authors and aid significantly in our development.

MOMENTARY

A second grade teacher who ingrained – until students know you care they won't really care what you have to say.

A junior high couch who ingrained – heart is more important than stature
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A beginning algebra teacher who ingrained – creative thinking can resolve more problems than formulas.

A college religion teacher who ingrained – there can be endless discovery in searching the scriptures.

CONTINUOUS

A mother and father who ingrained – there are consequences which follow good and also bad choices in life.

A wife who ingrained – love is the securest of relationships and that only with love can anyone hope to move others to desire to fulfill their purposes of life.

Children who ingrained – stewardships will only have lasting effects if they are ministered with patience and hope.

Grandchildren who ingrained – the reality that the extent to which one’s circle of love can be extended is limitless.

IN THE SEASON

Playmates of early childhood who ingrained – the marvels which come from shared hours of exploration and thereby expanding thoughts into delightful areas of imagination and fantasy.

Teens with whom I travelled troubled waters who ingrained - who picked me up when I stumbled, who calmed me when angry, who brought laughter and joy in days of dreariness and who introduced me to the mysteries and pangs of romantic love.

Missionary companions who ingrained– through demonstrating the work ethic, that there are energies which move us to performances beyond exhaustion and instilling the philosophy that the salvation of others is more important than our own comfort.

Friendships cemented on the sporting fields who ingrained – the limitations of growth through competition and the unlimited growth which comes through cooperation.

Colleagues of my chosen career who ingrained – by their examples and talents the need to keep a growing edge and gave understanding to the dangers of contentment.

Church calling colleagues who ingrained – the understanding that generally councils come to better solutions than individually made decisions.

WORDS

The Holy Scriptures which ingrained – the assurance that every reading, every searching will bring added enlightenment, encouragement and enduring hope.

Words from books, media and conversations which ingrained – the attitude that we must be ever alert to the inspirations which will spring forth from unsuspecting sources, implanting thoughts which will indelibly mark one’s life and enhance the passage.

Hence, we not only come to know that no man is an island, but also, it is constantly affirmed that without one another we cannot become all we can be.

For all who have been part of my life and those who are now part of my life and those who will yet be part of my life, I am grateful. Thank you so very much!

TO BE CONTINUED