Honest, Upright and Firm

"Three Towels and a 25 cent Newspaper"

This morning I came upon this talk given by Richard C. Edgley. In it he shares two experiences. One in which he learned and one he shared the virtue of honesty. He begins by telling us the experience he had between his father and himself upon arriving home from a summer job at Jackson Lake Lodge, located in Moran, Wyoming. 

  "...after the miracle of arriving home, my father came out and happily greeted me. After a hug and a few pleasantries, he looked into the backseat of the car and saw three Jackson Lake Lodge towels—the kind you cannot buy. With a disappointed look he merely said, “I expected more of you.” I hadn’t thought that what I had done was all that wrong. To me these towels were but a symbol of a full summer’s work at a luxury hotel, a rite of passage. Nevertheless, by taking them I felt I had lost the trust and confidence of my father, and I was devastated.

The following weekend I adjusted the plywood floorboard in my car, filled the radiator with water, and began the 370-mile (595-km) round trip back to Jackson Lake Lodge to return three towels. My father never asked why I was returning to the lodge, and I never explained. It just didn’t need to be said. This was an expensive and painful lesson on honesty that has stayed with me throughout my life."

When I read this all those moments that I felt were "a rite of passage", and my perception of entitlement came to mind. So many little things that have etched away my self intergrity concerning honesty. I have much to work on and be repentant for.  

The second part solidified to me how many times I act before regarding the consequences. Not only those that are dolled out by society/family/friend but more importantly the damage I bring upon my own conscience and  spirit. 

 "Some 30 years ago, while working in the corporate world, some business associates and I were passing through O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois. One of these men had just sold his company for tens of millions of dollars—in other words, he was not poor.

As we were passing a newspaper vending machine, this individual put a quarter in the machine, opened the door to the stack of papers inside the machine, and began dispensing unpaid-for newspapers to each of us. When he handed me a newspaper, I put a quarter in the machine and, trying not to offend but to make a point, jokingly said, “Jim, for 25 cents I can maintain my integrity. A dollar, questionable, but 25 cents—no, not for 25 cents.” You see, I remembered well the experience of three towels and a broken-down 1941 Hudson. A few minutes later we passed the same newspaper vending machine. I noticed that Jim had broken away from our group and was stuffing quarters in the vending machine. I tell you this incident not to portray myself as an unusual example of honesty, but only to emphasize the lessons of three towels and a 25-cent newspaper."

I pray that I'll keep his shared lesson always in my mind. For it's the little things that create the holes in my spirit and cause me to be complacent with my actions. 
 

 

Motherly Guidelines

Ever stand in the bookstore and scan through searching for the instruction manual to the bundle of joy in your arms? Click through Amazon.com for instructions on how to tame your toddler? Google any article that holds the ever changing Teenage Translator?

As parents we may never hold all the answers. We can't guarantee that our children won't reach adulthood unscarred.  Or that we'll know everything when we're done. 

Thankfully, Heavenly Father knew that we'd need help. So he gave us guidelines. Written passages throughout time, recorded in scripture. 

This one has come to mind when there's just one straw left to break and I'm ready to through in the towel and let what comes easiest "solve" the problem. I may still need to count to 10 20 before I do what's right. Always resulting in a much better outcome. Peace restored and a lesson learned by both myself and my child(ren). 

Avoid the Appearance

 

Don't Be Bought

Promises

Promises of this nature, requiring an oath are not mine to make. I cannot foresee what is to come, even with the best of intentions. Even to swear an oath using His name or the name of others is not right. For men can use it against me or twist my words or use them to deceive others. 

I acknowledge that my word is limited even if honest and true. In that case I must always be aware of my limitations and strive to be consistent in my doings so that others may find me reliable and accountable. I will also follow the promptings of the Spirit. Accepting God's plan as my plan and not rely on 'fate' to keep my promises.

As a mother my children are the ones I fail most. I know things come up. I know that there are exceptions to some rules. 

Second Challenge for the Week:

• Give myself a minute to pay attention to what my children are asking for, needing from me.
• Keep in mind the schedule or routine for the week.
• Don't change my mind based on my mood. 

Honesty: part 2

It has been more then a week since my last post. Many more days since I last continued this version of my personal study into the scriptures. Sporadically I have read and pondered over more verses concerning Honesty and Upright in all things, and decided that every day for the month of April I will share them with my thoughts. 

Christ lived and taught the same principles in all things. His course never wavered or changed. Each parable resounded with the same eternal truths. Just as He lived I must also do the same. To be steadfast and immovable. To never deviate from that which is true. 

My focus every day will be to stay the course. To often allow the distractions of the world; TV, FB the wonders of the world wide web to distract me and lead me down a detour. Even worse I allow myself to be my worst enemy. The lack of self discipline to sleep earlier and eat better or the worst culprits. Such simple things and yet the cause of most wrongs when not attended to. It's all well in good that I nourish my soul with the reading of scriptures, attending of church meetings and listening to the Prophets voice. But what good does it do me if I'm too tired to live them? If I'm physically hungry and bite back at people for little mistakes or misunderstanding? Not at all conducive to living a Christ-like life.

My Challenge for the week; 

No T.V 

A 10:30pm bedtime with a 6:30am wake up

Eat more fruits and vegetables

Drink water

I will not walk in crooked paths, neither will I vary from that which I have said; neither will I think to turn to the right or to the left; or from that which is right to that which is wrong; my course will be as His, one eternal round.