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I was visiting with my SP recently (you may be aware that I have a serious man crush on him) and he mentioned something that has intrigued me and that I have spent some time pondering. He believes that a main purpose of our families is to help us to become true disciples of Christ. That is, it is in our families where we will face the most challenges to love those who spitefully use you, where we must often turn the other cheek, where we must forgive constantly, etc. Because of the closeness of family we see all of each others’ warts. I had never thought about it that way before, but it rings true to me – if you have ever had teenagers, especially, you will know what I mean. Thoughts? I agree – and I see church attendance in the same way. It forces me to associate with and get to know and love people who are very different than I and with whom I would not associate naturally. I would agree with both of these comments. The older the kids get, the more this applies. The closer the relationship, the greater the challenge, yet the greater the rewards, so the spousal relationship is the ultimate example. The way this applies to the ward helps me realize that the more uncomfortable I feel in a ward, the more I have to gain and the more the ward has to gain from me.
Quote:The way this applies to the ward helps me realize that the more uncomfortable I feel in a ward, the more I have to gain and the more the ward has to gain from me.
It’s important to point out the limitations of that idea. At the extremes (or even close to them), being uncomfortable is a sign of destructive elements – and, at or close to the extremes, what can be gained diminishes in proportion to the pain being inflicted.
Yes, I believe in being the change I desire – but, sometimes, that can’t happen while maintaining safety and avoiding real, lasting, deep harm.
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