As we watched our girls and their cousins dance the night away at my sister’s wedding reception, one of my lovely sister in law’s was sitting next to me. We starting chatting and admiring those sweet kids. After a few minutes, she asked me, “So Ashley, what are some of your New Year’s resolutions? Ummm…ya. ( just waiting for something profound to come out of my mouth)…I’ve got nothing. The normal goals of losing that extra 10 pounds, being a better mom/wife, trying out new recipes for dinner, and maybe running another race again did cross my mind. But, nothing was settling in as yes…that’s it! Her question kept looming in my mind during our 800 mile drive home and has continued until just this very day…when a thought came. Yes, Ashley. Those goals you set are good and worthwhile. Is there something else? Isn't there something my Father in Heaven desires me to do? With a grateful and full heart…always. I have found in my little not so old life, that the small promptings and desires from Him have not always been received with optimism and positivity. Many times I have doubted my ability or time to fulfill the task or charge at hand (que my time with the Webelos. ;)). But, it’s been in those times where a power greater than myself as taken over and a miraculous experience was unfolded. Take for example Nephi. Nephi, who, with simple obedience, followed his father Lehi and the rest of their family into the WILD-er-ness…not to the beach in Florida. The wilderness. They left everything they had. Everything they knew and took a giant leap of faith forward in doing what was unknown to them, but it was right. Then, once settled and cozy (thank you Sariah) in the WILD-er-ness, Nephi was asked again to do the nearly impossible. Lehi spoke to Nephi and said: “For behold, Laban hath the record of the Jews and also a genealogy of my forefathers, and they are engraven upon plates of brass. Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and see the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness.” So Nephi and company was asked to RETURN to Jerusalem (which wasn’t a little walk up the street) and obtain the plates of brass from King Laban. You know, THE Laban who has stolen their property and wants Nephi and his brother’s dead…that Laban. What was Nephi’s charming brother’s reaction? “And now, behold thy brother’s murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them…” I dare say, I have shared this same sentiment of the brothers when asked to do the unknown. “Ugh…no thanks. Too hard. I’m good. I am sure someone else would be much better.” But in perfect love and patience, Lehi reminds his troubled older sons… “…but behold, I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord.” There is a much bigger picture, and Nephi sees it…
So…they go. Nephi and his brothers (some more enthusiastic than others) start their journey in the wilderness. As every good Laman and Lemuel story goes, there is always murmuring. The brothers “cast lots” to see who should ask King Laban first: Lucky Laman! Laman went to the house of Laban and asked for the brass plates… “And behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said unto him: behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee." Well, needless to say, Laman ran…and probably pretty fast. He returned to his brothers and told them what had taken place. With a threat of death looming, they were all saddened by what happened and were ready to turn back and go home unsuccessfully. Nephi doesn’t quit. “As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us. Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord.” Nephi was DETERMINED and DILIGENT. He never lost sight of the power (aka grace) the Lord pours out on His children when pressing forward to do His will. The Lord would provide the way. This same grace given to Nephi as he confronted King Laban, is the same grace that protected Nephi and his brothers from death, and that ultimately delivered the plates into the hands of Nephi. This exact SAME grace (aka power) pours down on us as we do our best in fulfilling what the Lord asks us to do in our lives. His grace is there as we parent, it’s there as we try to become a better spouse. It’s there as we forgive. It is their as we serve in callings and as we serve friends. It’s there we seek to understand scriptures and the words of our Prophet. It’s all around us. We just need to grasp it.
To you, dear sister in law, I think I can answer your question. Here’s hoping with the courage, resolve and faith of Nephi… 2016 Resolution: Grasp for Grace. ****************************************************************************** want a good read on grace? Try this. Its perfection.
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