All the Things I'm Not

Yesterday in Relief Society I had an epiphany. I didn't share it then, so I thought I'd share it now. My RS President was giving a lesson on becoming perfect, or become the person that God intends us to be. There are two analogies that she used that I liked a lot and I think that they are good enough to repeat.

We are all like origami paper which can be folded into just about anything, provided the person folding the paper knows what the end result should be and has the paper-folding skills to be successful. Fortunately our "folder" is our Heavenly Father, so we don't have to worry about getting crumpled up and thrown in the garbage. We just have to remember that it takes different folds to bring about different things. And while we may want to be folded into a swan, it just well may be that we are supposed to be frogs.

It takes different folds to make a frog, so don't get all bent out of shape.

The second, and therefore more important point of my moment of enlightment came when the President was talking about the "ingredients" that go into making a person with all their talents, weaknesses, etc.
This got me thinking on all the wonderful talents that I have been given, and I have been given a few. I am very thankful for the gifts I have been given but sadly, there are a lot of things I am not, and may never be. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of the "folding" to come to get me to where I need to be. Then the thought occurred to me, the individual (that's me) is not the basic unit of society or eternity, that family is. (this is where the epiphany came in)

That got me thinking about my family, and we may not be perfect, but when I think of myself in the context of my contribution to my family rather than me as an individual I feel all warm and fuzzy rather than overwhelmed and scared. This is the strength I see in my family:

My dad is the rock that I lean on (I'm sure its not just me). He works so hard for his family, even when times were really tough I knew that I never had to worry because I knew my dad loved me and that everything would be alright. Looking back I don't think that I ever really fully grasped how precarious our situation was because my dad always had a smile on his face and some amusing anecdote to tell. He has always been a faithful priesthood holder and taught us to do good. He knows the right thing to say, he makes me coachable.

There is nothing my mom wouldn't do for her kids. I don't know that its always the best thing, but she has our best interest at heart. My mom puts others needs before her own, I don't know how many times I've watched my mom running around trying to help someone in the family, the ward, or coworker and then have her get hurt or be laid up the day after, only to go out and do it again when someone asks. She always tries to find a way to say yes. My mom is teaching me to look outside myself and be a disciple of Christ through service to others.

Wesley is my other rock. Wesley brings out the best in people, he has always encouraged me to be better than I think I am. He has always been supportive and will talk me through anything. Wes sees the best in people and then helps them catch his vision.

Tyson is the tender-hearted one. He is the one I go to when I take myself altogether too seriously. Tyson loves people as they come and doesn't judge (unrighteous judgement). He always makes the best of a situation.

Ashley achieves peaceful resolutions. In the midst of all the stormy personalities in our family (mine) Ashley somehow manages to be a shelter in that storm. She has faith in others and always strives to be the best person she can be even in times of uncertainty.

Jessica gives everything she has to make people happy. She takes the time to understand a situation and will ask for help when she needs it. Jessica sees the best in most situations and maintains an optimistic outlook on the future.

Tom stands up for righteousness. He restores my faith in our generations ability to push forward with faith and (eventually) lead the church. Tom holds himself to a high standard and meets that standard.

I love my family, they are the greatest blessing in my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

1 Corinthians 12: 12-25 -- it's not just for the "Body of the Church" anymore!

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.