I recently read an article that talked about how God has given us the gift of agency and choice. He has given us the gift of agency out of love and values it, even when we are making choices that lead us to undesirable consequences. The article says, "There is danger in saying, 'Everything happens for a reason' or 'it was all part of the plan,' because that could imply that everything that happens is according to God's will" (Newell, Lloyd D. "Instruments or Agents?" Ensign April 2019).
We create our own destiny. We are learning to be like God by using our agency to make choices, create, and learn from our mistakes.
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I love this time of year as winter turns to spring and we begin to see green once again. We feel warmth from the sun, and we are filled with excitement to get outside and get yards looking beautiful again. Along with all of this comes Easter, a time to reflect on our Savior's sacrifice and resurrection. How symbolic it is to celebrate Easter in the spring, for Jesus Christ is the reason that something can be dead and then green and alive again. Jesus Christ is our sun, our light that gives us warmth and a feeling of excitement to live life to its fullest and to improve. He is the reason beauty is possible and the reason we can blossom like a spring flower does.
The following ten items have become symbols of great meaning at Easter time for our family as we celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, Save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:28-31) Peter had a moment, a moment of pure faith, a moment when he was focused and his energy was purely in line with the powers of Heaven. He had a moment where he was invincible and felt his God-given potential swelling inside of him. He had a moment where all that mattered was getting to Jesus. The battle between Fear and Faith is possibly one of the biggest battles we all face, and while it is a blessing to live in the day of technology and information, it can be challenging as our minds are constantly bombarded with the news, media, information, and articles that cause us fear. With so much information, we struggle to know what is true and what is not.
We usually solidify our identity by grasping on to the people, places, and things around us and our experiences and emotions in the past that continue to be a part of us. We consciously and unconsciously find comfort in same routines and same cycles. Because our brains get used to firing in habitual patterns, they resist change. That is why change can be scary.
I listened to one of my favorite songs from the Greatest Showman the other day, and as I listened to it, I thought about Heavenly Father:
From now on (The Greatest Showman) I saw the sun begin to dim And felt that winter wind Blow cold A man learns who is there for him When the glitter fades and the walls won't hold 'Cause from then, rubble One remains Can only be what's true If all was lost Is more I gain 'Cause it led me back To you Did you know...
"It turns out that there are many powers of the heart--among them intuition, intention, gratitude, forgiveness, resilience, and of course, LOVE." -Baptist De Pape, The Power of the Heart
Research has concluded these amazing facts about the heart: As my husband and I prepare to move our family this summer, I found myself overwhelmed with thoughts of worry and fear one day. I started asking myself, "How will we know that we are following the best career opportunity and that we will find the best house, the best community, the best schools, and the best church ward so that we can be sure our children will be happy and thrive? The thought of finding the best feels like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
It was another battle at the piano with my 9-year-old son. He reminded me, yet again, that he wanted to quit piano! Normally, my response is, "You know the rule; as soon as you can play the hymns, you can be done. You'll thank me one day!"
Today when he asked why he had to keep playing, my response was different. It just came out without a second thought, "Because I see so much potential in you." |
I'm Alicia Banta
Christian. Mom. Wife. Writer. Lover of life. Archives
January 2021
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