Eternal Perspective

   Last night Institute started up again and the class of choice is/was Preparing for an Eternal Marriage. The subject alone makes one feel slightly desperate, ;) ha ha, however, I felt impressed to take that class over the other ones offered. I had a few choice thoughts--one on gift giving. My teacher, Brother Stokes, opened the conversation about Santa and what is the eternal perspective of believing in "Christmas". The whole evening was on this Eternal Perspective, and how by having such a perspective... "If we live in such a way that the considerations of eternity press upon us, we will make better decisions."--Spencer W. Kimball
   Bro. Stokes shared about how gift giving (for little children, Christmas is somewhat around gift getting) but the idea of serving others/showing love through an act and gift. He talked about how we could choose to have Christmas every day by serving others with gifts of kindness, love, thoughtfulness. He then shared that he has boxes full of shoe polish, and sewing kits, and 100 other little things from the dollar store from his grandchildren who went shopping with the intent of getting their grandpa a gift. He laughed because in a life time he could never consume all the "same old" items that he constantly is getting, but each item is precious to him BECAUSE of the intent and gesture of the gift. The whole conversation reminded me of Eying's talk, Gifts of Love. Click here. 
   How I choose to receive a gift is as important as how I choose to give one. How many times are we given things that instead of thanking, our first comments are, that won't fit, I already have one, or the look of why did you get me this. And yes we may have to return it or add it to the collection of the near 100--but like a child in a dollar store searching for "grandpa's perfect gift", at least for me, I put quite a bit of stress/thought into the gifts I give. At times I have even prayed to be guided to the "perfect gift".
   I know it is not Christmas, but I was touched by the reminder that I want to be more like the Savior in receiving the "love" offered by others when they give a gift. Whether physical or a gift of time, patience, kindness, etc.
   My other aw-ha from last night is found in Mosiah chapter 26 in The Book of Mormon. The first verses talk over and over about unbelief. Not believing in the traditions of your fathers, in the resurrection of the dead, or the coming of Jesus Christ...

"And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened."

A KEY to understanding the scriptures [the word of God] or any source that speaks the word of God, IS belief! Unbelief=cannot understand the Word. Well that is a simple insight/beautiful truth to apply to my personal study!
    I do not plan on daily blogging, however, these things impressed me.

I am grateful for compassionate, kind, loving people.