Content

Sometimes things happen in life that make us really wonder...why. And we are given the opportunity to contemplate what that answer might be because it isn't written on the wall or in the stars or anywhere in plain sight. Sometimes in that moment of pondering, the answer that comes is this: there is no why. At least not right now.  And while that is hard to accept, sometimes having an answer is even harder because we take responsibility rather harshly. And whether or not we can answer that why question, the important thing is that we trust that God can and will when the time is right. Meanwhile, answer-less, confused, and even distraught one of the best remedies (besides good music, laughter, movement...) is the classic practice of counting our blessings and finding contentment. Because it is there if you look for it. It is all around when we just open our eyes.

When we make the choice to be content, we see what we have, not what we lack. We feel alive and in the moment, not trapped by another dead end. In short, when we choose contentment, we feel happy.

I want to feel happy, so I'm making that choice.

How about you?

A New Perfect

Several weeks ago, two strangers knocked on my door. No, they weren't Jehovah's Witnesses or LDS missionaries. Many of you have probably met them/heard of them/read about them by now. They first asked if I wouldn't mind taking a brief survey, to which I agreed, and then asked if I had ever heard of "Be Ye Perfect" and if so where. "I have..." I answered, trying to place the slogan in my day-to-day events (besides scripture, obviously). Finally, I remembered seeing ads on facebook. They seemed interested and pleased to hear that.

Our visit was brief, as they had intended, and they left promptly when Paul appeared in the doorway behind me. Something greatly bothered me about their visit and I continued to reflect on it for days after. The basic premise of their church (organization, whatever it is) is that we are already perfect! That because of Jesus Christ, we do not need to do anything and that we are not just saved, but perfected. Hmmmm. Sounds easy. I clarified that they weren't saying we could all just run a muck and do whatever we wanted, but they believe that "out of gratitude," we do good things to thank Jesus for doing all the work for us. Yikes.

I do believe in perfection. You bet I do. But not in this lifetime. And I believe that Jesus surely has paid the price for that beautiful perfection, but not as a one-sided bargain. How foolish it would truly be to believe He left NOTHING for us to do but live gratefully. And gratitude is huge. Perfection is a huge idea too, and something that I haven't seen yet in this fractured world.

That being said, I look forward to perfection. I imagine it would go something like this:

I wake up in the morning on a sunny day at the peak of restfulness, no longer tired, but beautifully rejuvenated. I easily make and eat an amazing breakfast that is healthy and delicious, classically presented and quickly cleaned up. I leave my spotless kitchen to breeze through a gorgeous home and find my sleeping child(ren) - the number is irrelevant - as many as I can possibly have, just peeking little eyelids open to smile at me. I go about my day in a state of total calmness, never stressing, perpetually happy, effortlessly completing all tasks I have set aside for the day and speaking loving and thoughtful words to all I meet. I am impeccably clean and beautiful and my perfectly-fitted clothes feel like a second skin as I move in a toned and flexible body. I have no need for makeup since everything looks better au naturale...

You get the idea. Perfection - no pain, problems, strife, anxiety, mess-ups, bad weather, gross food, rushing, snapping, complaining, spills, torn fingernails and so forth. Just beautiful perfection. But this life is not about perfection. Not yet. Perfection, contrary to what these proclaimers believe, is earned. There is only one Way we can all become perfect and that is through (a) believing in and accepting the atonement of Jesus Christ and (b) following His perfect example, studying and applying His teachings, and living the standard He has set: repentance, faith, baptism...

Perfection is a beautiful doctrine and I am so grateful we each have the opportunity to strive toward it as we learn patience, humility, obedience, sacrifice, love, self-restraint and all of the other qualities emulated by our perfect Savior.

In the meantime, I think we can enjoy a new kind of perfect. A perfection that arises from deep gratitude for the way things are and contentment with ourselves and our mortal surroundings. Bad weather is perfect, because a glum day now and then helps us appreciate lovely weather. Pain is a positive thing when it humbles us or helps us learn patience. Disappointment is erased when we work to create something better and learn to overcome circumstances.  When we realize that life is perfect for all that we need right now, that we are not perfect but are striving for it, this life can become more meaningful. More rewarding. And more of what we came here to learn. None of us are perfect yet, but out of gratitude, we can do those things that over a lifetime will add up gradually as we become more like Jesus.

May we all remember this Christmas that it is Jesus Christ who made perfection possible, and do our best to become more like Him each day, meanwhile enjoying this beautiful mortal existence He created for us.

Merry Christmas!!!