I attended a wedding reception of a newly married couple. The bride is the youngest daughter of one of our friends. I watched the bride and groom very carefully as we stood in the wedding line to greet them. I watched how they treated each other and the way they interacted. I was pleasantly pleased with their love and affection for one another. I must say that I am 'picky' when it comes to how couples treat one another.
Let me share an example of something that has bothered me in the past and continues to do so. Becky and I have attended weddings and there is excitement all about and the celebration of the wedding is a lot of fun. The time comes for the cutting of the cake. I hold my breath every time wondering if the cake portion is going to be a part of the celebration or a nightmare I wish would never happen. You probably know what I'm going to say. Yep, you got it. If the wedding day is one of the greatest days in a person's life, and it's the day when the bride gets to look beautiful and the groom gets all spiffed up to look handsome, then why in the world would either a man or woman smash and smear cake and icing all over their new spouse's face? I haven't been able to figure that out. There isn't an explanation that someone can give me that will justify or convince me that there is anything funny or entertaining about that sort of behavior.
Now back to this wedding reception tonight. There was complete love, gentleness, and, above all, respect for each other as husband and wife.
It made me very happy to be a small part of their day. I am grateful for respect and the important role that it plays in all of our lives. I want to be known as someone who cares enough about myself and others as it pertains to showing respect...no matter what!
It seems like just the other day that Becky and I were starting our life together. I'm grateful that she has treated me like a million bucks. My single greatest desire is to treat her the very best that I can on any given day. It makes life enjoyable. I love you more than you will ever really know. Thanks Beck!
Showing posts with label Unconditional Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unconditional Love. Show all posts
Friday, June 22, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
A Lesson From A Young Girl
I'm not sure why this memory popped into my mind but it's a great one to share. Years ago, Natalie was hospitalized with an illness. We are so blessed to have Primary Children's Medical Center right here in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a premiere hospital in the United States, with 'cutting edge' medical knowledge, specifically for children.
I left Natalie's room and went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed the many children, in the different rooms, with their own various health struggles. I walked by one particular room and as I passed by, the young child occupying that room looked right at me. Her eyes were gentle and a large smile enveloped her face and I knew at that moment that my heart had been touched to the very core. I was impressed that even during the difficult time, for this child, there was still room for happiness that she shared with me. It made 'our situation' seem very small.
There are angels around us who watch out for us and help in times of need. I believe that those angels are members of our family, friends that care for our well-being, and neighbors that just want to do something thoughtful and nice. They are busy doing good because it's the right thing to do, nothing more and nothing less. I believe that acts of kindness are happening all the time.
When you think that you are the only one with struggles and challenges, remember that there are others who are burdened with things much greater than your own. They are like the young child in the hospital, that through the pains and struggles of mortality, was able and willing to give me, a total stranger, a smile of encouragement that everything was going to be alright.
No matter the challenge, there is the surety that everything will work out. That has been true in every situation in my life. It will continue to be true because that's the way it was designed to be.
I left Natalie's room and went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed the many children, in the different rooms, with their own various health struggles. I walked by one particular room and as I passed by, the young child occupying that room looked right at me. Her eyes were gentle and a large smile enveloped her face and I knew at that moment that my heart had been touched to the very core. I was impressed that even during the difficult time, for this child, there was still room for happiness that she shared with me. It made 'our situation' seem very small.
There are angels around us who watch out for us and help in times of need. I believe that those angels are members of our family, friends that care for our well-being, and neighbors that just want to do something thoughtful and nice. They are busy doing good because it's the right thing to do, nothing more and nothing less. I believe that acts of kindness are happening all the time.
When you think that you are the only one with struggles and challenges, remember that there are others who are burdened with things much greater than your own. They are like the young child in the hospital, that through the pains and struggles of mortality, was able and willing to give me, a total stranger, a smile of encouragement that everything was going to be alright.
No matter the challenge, there is the surety that everything will work out. That has been true in every situation in my life. It will continue to be true because that's the way it was designed to be.
Monday, March 5, 2012
We're All In It Together
Life is a wonderful thing. There are times when we may wonder what the reason is for a certain obstacle. The reality is that challenges are woven into all of our lives. They are what molds us into what and who we are ultimately to become. It is fun to watch life's challenges and the wonderful effects, for good, that they have on an individual.
The common thread of life is that we are all in it together.
We are never forgotten!
"As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and very insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father.
Years later I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now—I was never forgotten.
And I know something else: . . . as an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart—neither are you!
You are not forgotten.
Wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.
Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
We are all very important! It doesn't matter how successful we are in the eyes of the world. It doesn't matter how popular we are amongst the people around us.
When I was a teenager, there was a girl who was a year older than me. She was new in the neighborhood and many of us kids thought she was a little odd. (That was my immature way of thinking) I was involved in a practical joke that involved this new girl many months after she moved into the neighborhood. The joke that we found hilarious, backfired on us. What was intended to be funny turned into a horrible offense. I still remember the hurt in her eyes.
I don't live my life with huge regrets, but I would love the opportunity to right that wrong that I participated in.
I am trying to be accepting of everyone. It is very clear to me that we're all in it together.
The common thread of life is that we are all in it together.
We are never forgotten!
"As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flower—small and very insignificant. I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father.
Years later I can look back on that young boy with tenderness and compassion. And I do know now—I was never forgotten.
And I know something else: . . . as an Apostle of our Master, Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart—neither are you!
You are not forgotten.
Wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.
Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
We are all very important! It doesn't matter how successful we are in the eyes of the world. It doesn't matter how popular we are amongst the people around us.
When I was a teenager, there was a girl who was a year older than me. She was new in the neighborhood and many of us kids thought she was a little odd. (That was my immature way of thinking) I was involved in a practical joke that involved this new girl many months after she moved into the neighborhood. The joke that we found hilarious, backfired on us. What was intended to be funny turned into a horrible offense. I still remember the hurt in her eyes.
I don't live my life with huge regrets, but I would love the opportunity to right that wrong that I participated in.
I am trying to be accepting of everyone. It is very clear to me that we're all in it together.
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