Charity

This month was Jason's second month to conduct and he has to think for a couple of days who he is going to ask to speak, so we talk about it for a few days then he finally calls someone. A couple of weeks ago I was watching a show and he came in with that look on his face and said "So you want to speak next week?" I had told him when he got this calling he can ask me to speak, but he better not ask me to come up on the spur of the moment to speak, because I AM NOT good at speaking on a whim. Well so I guess I asked for it. I guess I was feeling a little charitable, since he asked me to speak on charity. I was kind of worried, because he had asked me a week and half before and so the week before I was looking at the lesson for the following week in Relief Society and it was on Charity. I know I can use all the help I can when it comes to a lot of the aspects of charity, so it was a good Sunday and I am glad I am done! After I sat down Jason said "That was so good, we may have to ask you to speak again!" I gave him a look and said "Funny!" It went well and it feels good when people are so nice and tell you that you did good. I took most of my talk from an article I found back in Oct 2000 it was actually an article on marriage, but broke down the scripture on charity into simpler terms. I loved the table they had that said good attributes for charity and two different columns of not so much charitable attributes, so used it in my own way. Moroni 7:45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Suffereth Long: Patient and tolerant, does not criticize. Recognizes we are all progressing and is patient with imperfections. (Do we complain or give the silent treatment? Are we critical, cranky, or ill- tempered?)
Is Kind: To be nice, thoughtful, interested in others. Is a Good Samaritan, comforts, is merciful. Can we fall out of kindness? (Are we mean, miserable, or cruel? Are we uninterested, unresponsive, or unconcerned? Do we have a scowling countenance?)
Envieth Not: Is content, grateful for blessings. Rejoices in others peoples gifts, talents, success. Is generous and offers help to those in need. Lives frugally. Knows the difference between needs and wants, avoids unnecessary debt. (Are we resentful, jealous, greedy, covetous. Do we fail to pay a full tithe? Are we selfish? Do we have excessive debt? Are we ungrateful? Do we live beyond our income? Do we let our credit cards accumulate interest? Do we save food or money for future needs?)
Is not puffed up: Is humble, meek, teachable. Does not speak vainly or seek attention. Happily serves. Lifts, praises, builds others up. Seeks the will of God. (Are we proud, eager for attention, self-centered or boastful? Do we murmur against our leaders or our callings? Are we holier then thou? Are we offended when we get advise? Are we a know-it-all? Are we unteachable?) Martin Luther King says about service: "Everybody can be great ...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
Doth not behave itself unseemly: Is courteous, well mannered, tactful, tasteful, reverent, respectful, mindful of others, Is clean, neat, orderly. (Are we crude, disrespectful, improper, or irreverent? Do we say please and thank you? Are we disorderly or unkempt?)
Seeketh not her own: Is tender-hearted, sensitive, compassionate, merciful, generous. Seeks unity, kneels in prayer, listens with empathy, avoids contention. Is approachable, Seeks to please God. (Are we demanding, controlling, manipulative, or blaming? Do we listen? Do we say sorry? Are we uncaring? Do we seek the praise of Man or worldly things?)
Is not easily provoked: Is forgiving, patient, calm, gentle, respectful. Understands that anger is a decision and can be controlled. Is a peacemaker. (Are we irritable, spiteful, or vengeful? Are we hostile or abusive? Are we defensive. Do we swear and have a bad temper? Do we argue over silly things and are not open-minded?)
Thinketh no Evil: Is being nonjudgmental, respectful, helpful, pure, obedient. Has no more disposition to do evil. Is modest in dress, thought, speech. Virtue garnishes thoughts unceasingly. (Are we deceitful, Cruel, or dishonest? Do we dress immodestly? Do we listen or watch inappropriate music/movies/internet use? Are we judgmental, prejudiced, or faultfinding? Do we gossip or hold grudges?)
Rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth: Stays close to the Spirit through regular scripture study, prayer, obedience. Has discovered that truth leads to joy and happiness. (Are we disobedient or unfaithful? Do we justify or make excuses? Are we light-minded? Are we casual in our prayers and are we diligent about gospel teaching and scripture study?)
Beareth all things: Has moral courage, is bold in truth. Turns the other cheek, is calm. (Are we insulting, defensive, irritable, grouchy, or moody. Are we a coward or ashamed of righteousness? Are we ungrateful? Do we yield to peer pressure)
Believith all things: Clearly sees the eternal potential of spouse and forever families. Sees others as children of God. Holds fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Are we critical and cynical? Have we let go of the iron rod and are we actively engaged in the Church? Are we a hypocrite and do we lie? Do we come to church but wish we were elsewhere?)
Endureth all things: Doesn’t complain or murmur. Is responsible and gladly accepts callings. Sees growth in adversity. Has a desire to learn and progress. Is steadfast, knows life is a test. (Do we complain or murmur about having to serve in the church? Are we full of self pity? Do we give Half Hearted effort? Are we lazy and spend too much time on the computer, watching TV, or doing a favorite hobby?)
Charity Never Faileth: Loving others and yourself as Christ loves us. David O. McKay says "True happiness comes only by making others happy."
I had more to my talk including the Quote on my blog about choose faith and I added lets choose charity too. After I put everyone into a depression reminding everyone of their weaknesses and what we all need to work on I shared a few other things, but I just realized by giving this talk how many things I would like to work on and it was a good reminder to me of what I need to do in my life to be a little better and as long as I am trying a little better each day I am ok. Like one of my favorite quotes: "Good, Better, Best, never let it rest, till Good is Better, and Better is Best!! I really need to work on being more patient.
I am not very patient when I help Tanner with his homework, so we have been working on that and I am getting better with that. The kids like to play school, so we try to make it as fun and not doing homework. I feel like I do complain and am negative a lot. I don't want to completely blame it on one thing, but I can say the majority of it is I have a negative job and it is hard to be in that negative job and then be the happy wife and mother I need to be when I get off work. I can't wait for the time when I can quit.
Irritable, moody, grouchy ok now I know I am a lady and I don't want to blame it on that time of the month, but it is true I need to try much harder that time of the month to not be as grouchy. When I was a little girl and started school my mom was worried about me being grumpy at school. She asked the teacher at my first parent teacher conference how I was at school and the teacher was shocked that my mom even worried about that because I she said I was such a happy kid. Well I guess the people you love the most is who you are the grumpiest too and I am NOT a morning person. I try not to be like that as a Mom, but we do have our moody days too.
I know it will take some time and maybe my lifetime, but I hope to have Pure Charity one day. One of my hero's My Grandma Shurtleff, she was the perfect example of Charity. She would send or call my ex cousins on their birthdays, even though they were no longer a part of the family, she always wanted everyone to feel special. I never heard her raise her voice or ever say anything bad about anyone. She always looked for the good and everyone thought they were the favorite when they were with her. I will always remember her perfect example she was to me in my life. I am also thankful for the most perfect example whom is Our Savior, I know if I but follow his example I will sure to be with my family forever and meet him when my life here is done and I will hear those amazing words. "Well done thou good and faithful servant!"