Repentance - A Car Wash for the Soul

As missionaries we've been asked to wash our vehicles every week. Sometimes the complaint is heard, "Why do we have to wash it today?? It's just gonna get dirty next week..."

Similar to washing the car, repentance should be done regularly. Regardless of what happens tomorrow we need to strive to be clean of what happened last week, yesterday, and today. Having a clean car is a continuing process just as having a clean soul should be.

Driving a freshly washed car around definitely has a different feel than driving a filthy one. Also, the Lord has declared that “no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven” (Alma 11:37). We must be prepared to enter the Lord's presence at all times. Lastly, it just feels good to be clean. So, let's wash up often.

Whistle While You Work

My high school summers were spent working at good ol' Cherry Hill, a family friendly water park complete with a pirate ship. I worked as a lifeguard which was sometimes uncomfortable for me. You see, I'm not that big on confrontation and sometimes that's exactly what happens while on the job. For instance:

Let's say I am stationed at the swimming pool and some one starts to do flips into the water (aka breaking the rules). It is my job to tell them to stop. Most of the time they were compliant but it didn't always go over as well as I might have hoped. It was especially hard to ask someone to stop breaking the rules when the lifeguard before allowed them to do whatever they wanted. It was uncomfortable but it was my responsibility to keep them safe.

The same thing applies to every one of us. We often have responsibility to protect others from harm. When we, as a parent or leader, see something happening that shouldn't be, we need to blow the whistle immediately. The longer we wait the more damage is done. Although others may let it slide we need to stand up for what we know.

Toothpaste, Ties, and T-shirts

So yesterday I bought some toothpaste from the store. I was so excited to open it and use it last night that I had to laugh at myself. What a silly thing to get excited over. But as I thought about it I realized that it makes me happy whenever I buy things. Examples would be ties or t-shirts. The truth is, however, that about a week or two after the purchase the shirt becomes just the same as any other. The happiness buying stuff gives me is not lasting.

But there is happiness out there that does last. And it doesn't come from toothpaste or even a brand new tie. It comes from living the way our Savior has asked us to. In the words of King Benjamin, "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

I would invite each of us to consider the words of King Benjamin and the state of those that keep the commandments of God. I know that if we live by the commandments we will be truly happy.

So I guess I won't be needing my toothpaste anymore... Just kidding.