That We May Life, and Have It More Abundantly

I have been thinking this week about what my life would be like without the gospel - without knowing that through Christ we will have life. Not just life in this world, but that the purpose of this life is to allow us to have life eternally. Sometimes life seems hard, sometimes it seems unfair and we wonder why we have to wait upon the Lord for the joy that we desire. But then we find how temporary this life is.

As it became apparent that Grandpa Morey was not going to be with us much longer, I began to think about how I felt when Grandma passed and if it would be the same this time. When Grandma died, I realized just how real it was that this person that I loved couldn't be completely gone and that I knew she was happy and watching us. I realized how all the imperfections and challenges of life didn't matter. Did the Lord care if she snored? Did He care that I never saw the sense in having to drink all my milk after the cereal was gone? No, all He cared about was that she loved Him and tried to follow Him all her life. I found comfort and knew that she rejoiced in the fact that she died in the faith, giving her heart to the Lord.

I find the same thing now. When I was young I was scared of Grandpa Morey. He seemed strict and serious - much contrasted to the laughs and giggles always ready from Grandma Morey. As I got older, I got to know Grandpa more and began to see the strength and love - shown differently - that he was always ready to give. I also began to realize how much my mom is like him. There was a time when it wasn't easy to realize that you parents and grandparents aren't perfect. But when Grandma died, it hit me that all those imperfections and "thorns in the flesh" don't matter. That's also when I began to realize that the joy and peace - the abundant life - that I had always been seeking didn't come from reaching perfection. It comes from mercy and love - charity. It comes when I see others as the Lord does, when I don't judge and expect perfection, when I simply love.

Grandpa wasn't perfect, but he was an elder of Israel. He was a disciple of Christ, who sought to serve His Lord the best that he knew how. He raised a family that learned to do the same. I am so grateful for parents that give all their hearts to the Lord - in both their moments of strength and weakness. I am grateful for siblings that do everything in their power to serve Him and to follow Him. Even with all our imperfections, if we were to go in this moment I know that the Lord would welcome us with open arms, showing us mercy in seeing the desires of our hearts and allowing those to make us whole through Him. I hope that I can see the same with everyone in my life - allowing them to be who they are; seeing and loving them for their strengths. Life is not found in making us without flaw - it is found in loving the good all around us. This is the abundant life He wanted us to find - the life that He lives.