The Gift

Christmas morning, after the surprise of colorful hats, scarves and gloves from Santa, we sat amidst our messy loots in our new pajamas and pleasantly conversed while waiting for Dad to distribute the gifts from under the tree in the other room. When Rosamund realized it was time for the gift exchange, she jumped up excitedly and said, "First, I want to open my presents. . ." Before she had finished her sentence, it seemed the entire room was ready to tell her that we had to take turns according to tradition, when she concluded, ". . .that I have for all of you." As a group, we chuckled at being thus taken aback and were momentarily impressed by her benevolence until, the noisy unwrapping began again, and her words were soon forgotten. But I have been thinking about what she said ever since.

I made it a goal yesterday and today, to try to be more Christ-like so that others may remember Him easier. For some reason, it was really hard. In fact, it seemed like the more I wanted to be Christ-like, the less like Him I actually was.



Yet, my eight-year old little sister, perhaps childish and naive in some eyes, so easily reached that goal herself. She was more concerned with what she gave than what she got. My mom couldn't figure out what to buy her this year because she never asked for anything. And today, because of her willingness to give so unselfishly, I remembered the unselfish gift my Savior gave to me.

In The Living Christ it says, "[Christ] gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth." This vicarious gift is the reason for Christmas! I am so glad that we have the opportunity to celebrate Him. His gift was to all, and not only was it a good gift, but it was a GREAT gift--the best gift we could ever receive!

How eager must He be that we all accept it? Perhaps, like Rosamund, He would jump up and say, "I want you to open the present I have for you!" Do we open it? Do I? Am I as eager to accept His gift as He is to give it? I hope that I am. I pray that in accepting His gift, I can no longer merely desire to be like Him, but actually BE like Him: that maybe next time I can remind someone of Him the way Rosamund reminded me.

Painting by Liz Lemon Swindle

I'm Glad There Aren't Holes

Just as the stars complete a midnight sky, so do the lights of others' lives enrich and complete my own.

Remember Clarence, the angel without wings on It's a Wonderful Life? He said, "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?" Well, after just celebrating my twenty-sixth birthday, I have been contemplating the person I am, verses the person I want to become. While thus contemplating, I began to realize the astronomical number of people who have affected my life--to make me into the me I am today. These people range from my childhood babysitter, to my parents, who continue to influence me daily: from the mother of my best friend in elementary to every single one of my Relief Society presidents: from my first grade teacher to my internship supervisor. Where would I be right now if I had not met some of my best friends? What decisions would I have made without the examples of strong, beautiful Young Women leaders? How many holes would I, unknowingly, carry with me everyday if someone in the expanse of my lifetime was left out?

I am grateful, not only for the omnipresent light of Christ, but also for His light that I receive through others. Although, I have much to improve, I believe that which is good in me has come, in large part, due to the good influences of those around me. Somehow, I wish I could send this message to everyone I have ever known, to thank them for contributing to who I am. This Hymn, number 283, expresses my appreciation best.

1. Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

3. When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

My Star

The expanse of a clear night sky is incredible to behold, what with its never-ending darkness contrasted by twinkling, vigilant points of guidance. Since I was a young girl, I have had a fascination with the stars. For just by looking at them, I felt I could almost grasp the impenetrable mysteries of God, and almost touch the depths of His love. Often, in my times of confusion, trial, contentment, or pure joy, I have scanned the heavens with my heart drawn out in prayer, and found, not only sparkling constellations, but small lights of hope that would streak across my view. Oh, how those shooting stars would lift my spirits! They always served as a reminder that my Maker was ever watchful and ever mindful of His children.

Last night, I experienced another of those moments, but this time, I wasn't praying. I wasn't in the mood for it, but was merely down-hearted, hopeless and confused. After a very long day which included unpaid work hours until nine p.m. and little food causing a pulsing headache, I received some sad news. So I sat in my car and stared distractedly at the over-cast night sky that matched my spirits.

Suddenly, burning through the clouds, almost in slow motion, appeared the biggest meteor I have ever seen, leaving a long, blue-white streak behind it. I kept waiting for it to disappear, only to see it sink lower and lower towards the horizon, like a lure of light plummeting to the bottom of the atmospheric sea. It seemed that time stopped in that fraction of a second, and I remembered the most important thing I know: Jesus Christ lives, and He is my reason to be happy.

No matter what happens in life, no matter the crashes, falls, breaks, bruises, heartaches that make my wrists hurt, or confusions that numb my brain, no matter what mood I am in, whether it be good or bad, no matter where I am in this vast world, the truth that the Savior of mankind, died, and now lives, will stand incandescent among all other truths. His light can and will penetrate my densest of clouds and my darkest of nights; and if I let it in, I can be left glowing.