His image

Today in connection with the upcoming Father's Day, I would like to share some notes in memory of Grandpa, my dad. One of the keepsakes I learned from dad was a brief poem that I believe represents the essence of the kind of life he lived. For me, it's his legacy.

I have a resource of files online that I refer to frequently for inspiration and hope. These may include exceptional quotes or favorite passages of scripture. My dad did the same thing, but he used filing cabinets, folders, and scraps of paper in his day to capture these messages and collect inspirational ideas.

Many of you have probably had the chance to go through one of dad's boxes or files at some point and noticed the carefully-labelled contents and neatly-written notes or poems.

I think these meticulously-crafted messages represent dad well, and going through them in many ways is like dusting off the bookshelf of ages and reacquainting myself with his qualities and character.

Builder or Wrecker
--------------------
I watched them tearing a building down,
A gang of men in a busy town;
With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and the side wall fell.

I asked the foremen: "Are these men skilled?
And the men you'd hire if you had to build?"
He gave a laugh and said, "No indeed--
Just common labor is all I need.

I can easily wreck in a day or two
What builders have taken years to do."
And I thought to myself as I went my way,
Which of these roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by rule and square?
Am I shaping my deeds to a well-made plan,
Patiently doing the best I can--

Or am I a wrecker who walks the town
Content with the labor of tearing down?
"O Lord let my life and my labors be
That which will build for eternity!"

-Author Unknown

I love that poem, because it reminds me so much of dad. I remember when sharing it with me, he read it with such emotion and resolve, then lived it everyday of his life. That poem is dad.

Though I do not understand all the rules of heaven, I have no doubt that today he is uniquely interested in our well-being and working to build God's kingdom there and here in our midst.

For that heavenly camaraderie, I will always be grateful.

Let your light so shine
I am the light which ye shall hold up
Be of good cheer



Alma 5:14,15

Buoy me up

Don't quit. Life is sure to hand you difficult things. But that's ok, even when you are bewildered and don't know what to do; even when you're overcome and can't escape; even when you are at a loss and in over your head; and even when you feel helpless, battered, and broken.

“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” ― Vance Havner

Perhaps the greatest miracle of this concept is that God can use imperfect things to fulfill His perfect purposes. The great plan of happiness ensures the outcome. But we must accept this gift and live accordingly.

It's ok that I am flawed today as long as I am working toward improvement. That's the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

That concept buoys me up today and gives me hope.

Never, ever quit.

Daughters of a King

Life is full of surprises.

As a young father, I never imagined having five daughters...it never even crossed my mind.
I didn't realize this disparity of thought until I looked back years later, but the Lord knew that's what I needed. I couldn't have known but feel so lucky.

Really, what could be better than that?

New Beginnings, first date, Prom, and seminary graduation. These are just a few of the events in a young woman's life that are memorable and significant.

Tongue-in-cheek some may goad me "How could you ever raise that many daughters?"  I wonder, too. It's a fair question, but they don't realize what they are asking.

How could I have been so lucky to receive the choicest of God's creations. I'm not worthy, but then it's not because of me.

We are given opportunities, not because we deserve them, but because our Father and His Son are building the Kingdom of God on earth, and we are instruments in their hands.

That's a lot different than putting up with an unsavory chore--it's a blessing to feel of His confidence and a privilege to be given the chance. Alone, I am weak, but I have not been abandoned. He covenants that we will have help. My daughters aren't just mine. They are His, and each holds the promises of all eternity and will nuture nations to come.

All families are unique. I don't mean any disrespect to anyone. Family make-ups vary vastly. They were never established to be compared against one another.

But for me, my five daughters are such a blessing.

Yes. I am simply a tool in His Hands and totally happy with that.

Getting the words out

Times have changed. 

I remember when spreading the word meant an expensive advertising campaign or public relations strategy. Now blogs, Internet, Twitter, Facebook, texting, and other social media phenomena allow us to reach dozens, hundreds, thousands, and even millions in seconds. Going viral is interesting terminology in today's world for a power of which we have little or no control. Wielding that kind of influence should require a higher level of consideration and discretion.

We have all sent a text message or email we regretted. Hopefully, that wasn't done in a moment of rage or unbridled emotion. Self-restraint and discipline are becoming more rare.

Yet everybody wants to be heard. 

How we communicate our message may be of greater consequence than the message itself. I had a school teacher once who would begin whispering when the class became noisy or unruly. This tactic was amazingly effective. The students would suddenly quiet down and strain to hear the message he was communicating without anyone prompting them for anything. It taught me the difference between the power of capturing one's attention and screaming ignorance.

Our society and televisions are often filled with people and programs vying for our attention by cranking up the volume or portraying deplorable subject matter. 

Though the level to which this has fallen may be new, the strategy is as old as time. Shock effect loses it's influence if everything is appalling.

Thirty years ago, the young people in Europe were dressing and adorning themselves to be unique and different. Gothic was used even then to elicit a reaction, and that was just the beginning.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is attributed with saying "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say."

Perhaps our most effective influence has always been and still is right under our noses: our example and self-respect.

Who would have thought?

Harmony

I love good art.

Looking at a beautiful oil painting or sculpture is inspiring and uplifting. Reading a well-written piece of literature can change your life.

Short, concise writing is much more difficult to compose than wordy, lengthy prose. And putting words to music captures emotions we have always been trying to depict with words.

According to Victor Hugo "Music expresses that which cannot be said, but on which it is impossible to be silent." When words fail, music speaks. Steven's music for him is a source of expression, and with music comes elation and euphoria.

I believe I have figured out why Steven is so good at what he does. He is an expert at creating harmony.

Just as he says in his advertising application, "if you press people wrongly they tune you out."

That's why he is so good at what he does; people love the feeling they get when they are with him, and they keep coming back for more.

His writing is spectacular. There is a line I love that he wrote. It's all about connecting with people:
"What every agency wants, what every team, company, and organization needs is someone whose ability to connect with others comes naturally. Whose capacity to reach those around them and recognize their desires breaks through the white noise of society and motivates those who hear the message to embrace it, creating harmony. That's sound advice."

If I am honest about it, I wish I was the one that had written that. I admire his talent. I envy his ability to connect, but I am ok with the fact that he is the artist. I still get to enjoy his work and feel admiration, happiness, and gratitude for him. I find myself wishing his songs would just continue, kind of like a great movie that you wish would just keep going. Whenever they end, it's too soon.

Someone said "The problem with life is that there is no background music." I love that concept, but I think I would change that notion to read "The opportunity in life is to make background music."

Steven - you are the best!

Someday we will look back on the hardships that we face and life's seemingly endless difficulties, and we will see an intricate web of plans to build us, strengthen us, and help us become who we are really meant to be.

Life is a journey, and we can't criticize our imperfections or shortcomings, because we are a work in progress. It's on the back of our shortcomings that we build the phenomenal orchestration of music and harmony that makes us who we are—and because of that we can have joy.

Our flaws are given to us so that we can benefit from the process of overcoming our weaknesses and revel in appreciation and glory that comes only through the Son—, which is the great plan of happiness!

We are not the composer of our destiny, He is.

That is life's lesson.

God's handiwork

Mother cherishes her children…she wants the best for them. She treads fearlessly across the depths of sorrow and draws nigh unto death to give them life. Her most important purpose is her children’s happiness—a quality emulating God Himself. In many ways, she is the miracle the world is seeking. We gratefully witness her majesty daily and respectfully honor her. To mothers everywhere, thank you! 

I see now how lucky I am to have five beautiful daughters. Every time a child is born, so is a mother. Life doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a mother.

Perhaps the most comforting and endearing of sounds on earth is mother's response when we call out for her. Whatever the reply, we feel better knowing she is there for us. We are more sure, more confident, more secure because we have mother cheering for us.

Through you, mother, we have a noble birthright. You hold the promises of eternity.

The gifts He has in store for you surpass your wildest hopes and dreams.

Thank you for your support, love, and encouragement. We will forever be in your debt.

It feels right that God's handiwork comes through mothers.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

Daughter of a King

Half Way

I woke up to a surprise recently...it was my 50th birthday, a milestone I never really thought about until it was at the doorstep--now it has passed. But it was memorable and significant for many reasons.

It was the best day! Thanks family for remembering me!

When I got up that morning, I showered and got dressed. Before I was fully clothed, I opened the door innocently and was greeted with the following scene: 50 balloons each with a note of appreciation and love from the others in the family (all my children, Nick, and Linda). If you look closely, you may be able to see birthday cards on the bed and a plate of breakfast behind one of the yellow tags.

Amazed and totally taken by surprise, I thought I should read them even though the family was at the moment down in the kitchen. I started reading them and only got about half way through before I was crying so hard I couldn't see well enough to continue reading. I am such a lucky man!



This is just a snippet of the fun and memorable events of the day. The Lord has blessed me my whole life. My cup runneth o'er.

To all of you who were involved in this surprise, thank you. What wasn't a surprise is that I have the greatest family ever!

Can't wait to share the next 50 years together.

The Dilemma

I know you all have a wealth of experience and great insights that could benefit others. Please consider sharing your wisdom with the rest of us.

Without further explanation, I would like to know how you would respond to the following letter. I will share the author's response and my own later, but I would like to hear your answers. Add your advice to the comments section below: 

Dear Carolyn: 

Sometimes I think I’d like someone to rescue me from my life — someone to make it so I don’t have to work anymore, and I just sit back and not think about anything serious or responsible.

I know this comes from having always been the “responsible” one, and it’s gotten to the point where I’d love to make some very significant life changes, but I find myself unable to do so because of what seem like insurmountable obstacles. I’d love a job in a slightly different field, but I get paid a lot where I am, and I would have to take a pay cut if I went anywhere else, plus I would probably need more education, which I can’t afford and don’t have time for.

I would also love to end my marriage and move back to the part of the world I’m from, but I haven’t been able to figure how to manage either of those things.

How does one balance out desire and reality to cobble a life that feels right? Or maybe there is no real right, and we’re all just fumbling around looking for greener pastures that don’t exist. — Wishing for Greener Grass

The original letter was addressed to Carolyn Hax. You can find the article here.

I look forward to your answers.