alma 5:14

Oct 25, 2015

No news on the MRI front yet. The images did not turn out well and we will most likely have to go through the process again to get some clearer images.

My ponderizing scripture for the week was Alma 5:14 which says:

And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received His image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change of heart?

More specifically, I repeated this phrase in my mind all week long. “Have you received His image in your countenance? Does the light of Christ shine in your eyes?” Which is from a song by Janice Kapp Perry.

I SO want my countenance to reflect my Savior’s light and goodness. I want His kindness and gentleness to become so much a part of me that that is what comes out of me in times of stress or when I am caught off guard. I want my children to come to know Christ by the love they see in my eyes.

And yet, I get exasperated. I lose my patience. I have anger in my eyes and in my voice. This week has been one of deep pondering of my Savior’s character. I have been reading Elder Bednar’s book, Act In Doctrine, and been thinking about myself and what I want my character to be. It is hard. Really hard to take a deep look at my flaws and see how far I have to go. At the same time, it is lightening to know just how powerful my Savior is at working a mighty change of heart in those who are desirous to change. C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity the following.

Our Lord is like the dentists. If you give Him an inch, He will take an ell. Dozens of people go to Him to be cured of some one particular sin which they are ashamed of or which is obviously spoiling daily life. Well, He will cure it all right: but He will not stop there. That may be all you asked; but if once you call Him in, He will give you the full treatment.

That is why He warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. ‘Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect-until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was well pleased with me. This I can do and will do. But I will not do anything less.’

Oh, how I love that thought. My Savior will not help me become anything different than what He is.

As He teaches me and lifts me and cleanses me, I am ever so slowly becoming a kinder, gentler, more loving person. It is a journey worth taking, no matter how far the distance. And so, I will keep singing those words to remind myself to strive to become more like Him.