A Day of Rest

One of my favorite films, Chariots of Fire, has messages that have inspired me ever since I first saw it.  Released in 1981, it tells a true story of British runners who won medals in the Olympic Games of 1924 in Paris.  Eric Liddell, champion and son of a Christian preacher, refused to compete on the Sabbath Day. (Main message.)  Instead, he humbly preached a sermon to a church congregation and quoted Isaiah 40:31 in the Old Testament:
“they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Another powerful message.)  His example in competition inspired hope in others to never give up. (A third message helping me manage old age.)

Sunday has not always been a restful day for me.  In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have opportunities to serve on “the day of rest”, as well as other days.  For some leaders, the Sabbath is a full day with work of the Lord helping others find peace.  I like to think it’s a refreshing change from other days of work and play.  As a young student, I followed my father’s example (his Harvard years) of never doing school study or homework on Sunday, although I admit it was sometimes my excuse for procrastinating until early Monday morning.  The habit helped me get good grades, however, by giving me confidence in divine guidance.  Without doubt, I felt it and made the habit part of my working career. 

Those who are required to work on the Sabbath can feel peace in knowing our loving Heavenly Father understands.  So, whatever your situation or idea of rest is, enjoy Sunday as a special, extraordinary day.

Gratitude for Freedom

Recalling my 2015 post for the Fourth, repeated as Kay & I served in Michigan on July 4, 2018:

"On this Independence Day of the United States of America, I remember the cry of freedom that God heard."

I am grateful to Heavenly Father for family and freedom!!

Odds and Ends

In my moving experience last week (that is, to a new home), I dealt with a lot of small stuff, including odds and ends.  No large furniture, fortunately.

Synonym of “odds and ends”: mishmash

(Recall the junk drawer — valuable stuff, not junk to me.)

Tiny metal hook & screw, ready to install.

Old plastic 6-inch ruler & letter opener, the tool with 48+ different uses.  A bunch of those — black, red, and yellow!

Extra recharging cable for unknown device.

Little bottle of hotel hand lotion for travel. 

My Sweetheart Kay’s WSU student-photo-ID Wildcard with her winning smile.

Moving Treasures

Today is the day when I “lighten my load” again by moving to a new home.  A recurring dilemma: what are treasures, and what do I let go from my minimalist life?  A continuing goal: spare our children from a burden when I pass on.

A priority: help our posterity learn about their ancestors, including my wife Kay & me — challenges we overcame and joy we experienced.  How we are blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We treasure an abundance of spiritually moving stories.  It’s a wonderful life!  And it goes on forever … with love.

Taking a Listen

A gentleman from England (judging by his accent) hosts a Saturday radio program I’ve enjoyed for years.  Last week he encouraged us to “take a listen next time.”  That phrase was new to me and seemed odd.  In other words, I take it to mean, “Please take the opportunity to hear next week’s program.”  His short version actually says it best. 

You have probably been frustrated when a friendly conversation is one-way … while wondering if the talker will ever take a listen to what you want to share.  A good friend of mine, who died, knew my preference for listening rather than talking.  He took full advantage of that for many years, generously sharing his life with me and others, including fast-food workers delivering at drive-thru windows.  A lonely, younger man with a kind heart, he often gave his last dollar (and likely a story) to fellow sufferers on the street.  Three seasons of the year, even when temporarily homeless, he set up his drums to let strangers take a listen to his popular music at a park and humbly accepted donations he never expected.

Another thought: It’s good to slow down and listen to nature, inspiring music, and the Spirit, who offers personal revelation.  You may wish to include that when planning summer retreats.

Lost and Found

How can two of the most important things be lost in a small studio apartment?  I watch for them while unpacking and organizing.  A few months after moving all by myself and taking time to recover, I realized phone photos of container contents would have been a simple solution to my pathetic problem.

However, I am grateful for what I have found, including pills, food, my wife Kay’s journals, and my favorite paring knife.  With hindsight, lessons for future moves.  Finding my load is lighter with each “mission transfer”.

Consider what you learned from your moves.

To Learn More

January of last year, I had been listening to a public radio station, hearing commercial encouragement to, “Learn more at (whatever) dot com.”  (Posted about it.)  Now it’s still the thing — maybe more so.  “Information available at …”  What would life be like without the Internet and instant access?  (Really a rhetorical question.)

This year we can get a restaurant menu by scanning a QR (Quick Response) code on the table … instead of having a friendly waitress bring one with a smile and suggestions.  (The tip may be the same.)  Learn more about the deceased with QR codes adhered to cemetery markers.  Instead of printed information for instant reading on posters, it’s “in the cloud” via QR codes, now ubiquitous (everywhere) … to help us learn more … using a smartphone as usual.

FamilySearch Centers let you do it on Discover big screens to see ancestors, famous relatives, and facts about the year you were born.  It goes on … and discoveries are emailed to you.  Then ice cream may be served at the snack bar — one reason I will go to learn more.