The only thing that matters:

All the Sat chores are done, Nate's getting his hair cut and Hannah is napping - time to blog.

At first, this article seemed pretty predictable and I didn't think there was too much that I needed to glean from it. But, like 99.9% of all church literature, it proved very thought-provoking for me. President Monson is talking about how to live so that we have no regrets when death calls. And what do you think people's most common regrets involve? I would venture to guess,obvious in the Prophet's article, human relationships. Not the "big" accomplishments, but the mundane relationships that we construct every day.

When we were dating, I asked Nate what the most important thing he learned on his mission was. He said, "that the only thing that matters in this life is my personal relationship with The Savior." In the last 3 1/2 years, this principle has become SO important to me and has changed the way I act. Don't ask me why it took me 25 years to understand the concept that my love for Jesus Christ is directly reflected by my treatment of my fellow men. Nate, Hannah, my family, Nate's family, our extended families, our ward, and anyone I should come in contact with; like them or not. The Savior couldn't care less about my (seemingly contrite) outward appearance, words, or public behavior - the easy stuff...that we learn as children. The more true reflection of my devotion was in my private, heart-felt behaviors toward others - which were HUGELY flawed. Only recently have I begun to understand the meaning and significance of charity.

The fact is, we humans are not perfect. People have disappointed me. Family and friends. I marvel at people's enormous insecurities, and their attempt to compensate for them. (As if I have none of my own - please). But constantly being disgusted and offended serve absolutely no purpose. Again, the only thing that matters is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only do others' actions have little to do with my own salvation, but when I'm always so upset, it impedes my ability to feel the Spirit and see Heavenly Father's children as he see them. My point is that no matter the "why" or the "how" it came about, I am so blessed to have had this new, crucial awareness.

Things have been less than perfect with my family. I am striving to find how the Savior expects me act toward these most-important relationships on this earth. And how I want to feel when my time on earth is complete. There's nothing I want more than to be with my family forever. I want happy visits and vacations and birthdays, holidays, and special events. At the same time, I refuse to have unhappiness, violence, and manipulation in my family's life. Certainly nothing is accomplished by ignoring the problem. It's not an easy thing but through prayer and scripture I can feel love and peace. Just remember, the only thing that matters is...