When I first saw this post, I thought to myself- I bet Dad has John in mind...but then I internalized this as if Heavenly Father was saying it about me.
I think we all go through phases of life where we think doing things our own way, or the way that makes most sense to us is what will get results. In reality, doing things the Lord's way is what truly brings lasting results and helps us the most. Once we get over our stubbornness and pride, and allow ourselves to submit and recognize this, is when we learn and the results come. Sometimes we come to realize the "good" things we were doing are the very things that halted our progress.
If I could just see things from Heavenly my ways and a lot of my habits. When we truly "come to ourself" then we see ourselves as one of God's children, and nothing else. That is the essence of who we really are.
When he came to himself, at first that seems selfish, but it really the opposite. You realize your ways are not the Lord's ways. When you are able to recognize Heavenly Father, Christ, and the Holy Ghost's hand in your life you are able to repent. There has been a few times in my life when I realized I was nothing and Heavenly Father was in control. I remember when I was in Texas with the e-coli, just thanking Heavenly Father for one more day. I told him I was ready to go, but if it be his will, I asked that I could just live to see my children married. He gave me that wonderful blessing. I feel like he has kept that promise to me. Now I am living in borrowed time. I feel like I need to do all I can to show Heavenly Father my gratitude. I try to serve him with all my heart, might mind and strength everyday.
Sorry for the double post- but I just saw this as I was preparing my seminary lesson for tomorrow. It is exactly in reference to dad's scripture this week- maybe this is where he got it from: (Elder Robert D. Hales, Oct 2015 General Conference,"Meeting the Challenges of Today's World", last 2 paragraphs)
"In the Savior’s parable of the prodigal son, the son had many blessings awaiting him, but before he could claim them, he had to look closely at his life, his choices, and his circumstances. The miracle that happened next is described in the scriptures with a simple phrase: “He came to himself.”19 May I encourage you to come to yourself? In the Church, when important decisions must be made, we often hold council meetings. Family councils serve a similar purpose. You may want to conduct what I’ll call a “personal council.” After praying, spend some time alone. Think about what is ahead. Ask yourself: “What areas of my life do I want to strengthen so that I can strengthen others? Where do I want to be a year from now? two years from now? What choices do I need to make to get there?” Just remember, you are a pilot, and you are in charge. I testify that as you come to yourself, your Heavenly Father will come to you. By the comforting hand of His Holy Spirit, He will help you along.
I bear my testimony that God lives. I bear my special witness that the Savior loves you. “Shall we not go on in [His great] cause? Go forward and not backward.”20 As you follow Him, He will strengthen and uphold you. He will bring you up to your highest home. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
I love the parable of the Prodigal Son. Every day I am one of the characters Christ put in this story...in fact there are days when I might be all three of the main characters. In the biblical version the phrase "And when he came to himself" refers to the prodigal I think it could apply to each of the main characters. In my life I have had numerous times "when I came to myself."
I think the Savior has reference to that inner-self that is part of our eternal makeup. As spirit children of a loving Heavenly Father he has placed within each of us a bit of divinity. In our busy work-a-day world with all the cares of family, job, and friends it is too easy to bury that divinity. The prodigal thought being on his own with his "inheritance" would bring joy, but it only brought fleeting worldly happiness. The father and brother also had to deal with their own worldly pursuits, but eventually all "came to himself."
Will gave me a picture of the Prodigal, the Father, and the Brother that serves as a constant reminder that I need to daily "come to myself" recognizing who I am and who my children are.
This parable always reminds me of Alma the younger teaching the poor...
6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.
7 Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:
8 I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye.
There are times in my life where I have been compelled to be humble, then there are times where I choose to make the better choice.
Wow another week has gone by and these are my thoughts on this scripture this week and he came to himself could mean a lot in this scripture and it could mean the Savior realized that he had a few choices to make in his life that could be hard! It also means that we all have decisions in our life's to make too. Those are my thoughts for this week ! Have a great week ! Mariah sparrow
Since watching conference it seemed as though several themes touched on understanding who we are. When we truly come to ourselves as HIS children then we can become what He sees in us to become.
Sorry one more thought here...I heard a speaker give a talk about dealing with prodigals. He said it is interesting to note some passages/stories in the scriptures about this topic. You will notice that those who want to help the prodigals ask for help to be changed so they can know how to help them. It's not our job to change them, it is our responsibility to become an instrument in the Saviors hands. We need to be refined and purified so we can reach out. We "come to ourselves."
When I first saw this post, I thought to myself- I bet Dad has John in mind...but then I internalized this as if Heavenly Father was saying it about me.
ReplyDeleteI think we all go through phases of life where we think doing things our own way, or the way that makes most sense to us is what will get results. In reality, doing things the Lord's way is what truly brings lasting results and helps us the most. Once we get over our stubbornness and pride, and allow ourselves to submit and recognize this, is when we learn and the results come. Sometimes we come to realize the "good" things we were doing are the very things that halted our
progress.
If I could just see things from Heavenly my ways and a lot of my habits. When we truly "come to ourself" then we see ourselves as one of God's children, and nothing else. That is the essence of who we really are.
When he came to himself, at first that seems selfish, but it really the opposite. You realize your ways are not the Lord's ways. When you are able to recognize Heavenly Father, Christ, and the Holy Ghost's hand in your life you are able to repent. There has been a few times in my life when I realized I was nothing and Heavenly Father was in control. I remember when I was in Texas with the e-coli, just thanking Heavenly Father for one more day. I told him I was ready to go, but if it be his will, I asked that I could just live to see my children married. He gave me that wonderful blessing. I feel like he has kept that promise to me. Now I am living in borrowed time. I feel like I need to do all I can to show Heavenly Father my gratitude. I try to serve him with all my heart, might mind and strength everyday.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the double post- but I just saw this as I was preparing my seminary lesson for tomorrow. It is exactly in reference to dad's scripture this week- maybe this is where he got it from: (Elder Robert D. Hales, Oct 2015 General Conference,"Meeting the Challenges of Today's World", last 2 paragraphs)
ReplyDelete"In the Savior’s parable of the prodigal son, the son had many blessings awaiting him, but before he could claim them, he had to look closely at his life, his choices, and his circumstances. The miracle that happened next is described in the scriptures with a simple phrase: “He came to himself.”19 May I encourage you to come to yourself? In the Church, when important decisions must be made, we often hold council meetings. Family councils serve a similar purpose. You may want to conduct what I’ll call a “personal council.” After praying, spend some time alone. Think about what is ahead. Ask yourself: “What areas of my life do I want to strengthen so that I can strengthen others? Where do I want to be a year from now? two years from now? What choices do I need to make to get there?” Just remember, you are a pilot, and you are in charge. I testify that as you come to yourself, your Heavenly Father will come to you. By the comforting hand of His Holy Spirit, He will help you along.
I bear my testimony that God lives. I bear my special witness that the Savior loves you. “Shall we not go on in [His great] cause? Go forward and not backward.”20 As you follow Him, He will strengthen and uphold you. He will bring you up to your highest home. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
I love the parable of the Prodigal Son. Every day I am one of the characters Christ put in this story...in fact there are days when I might be all three of the main characters. In the biblical version the phrase "And when he came to himself" refers to the prodigal I think it could apply to each of the main characters. In my life I have had numerous times "when I came to myself."
ReplyDeleteI think the Savior has reference to that inner-self that is part of our eternal makeup. As spirit children of a loving Heavenly Father he has placed within each of us a bit of divinity. In our busy work-a-day world with all the cares of family, job, and friends it is too easy to bury that divinity. The prodigal thought being on his own with his "inheritance" would bring joy, but it only brought fleeting worldly happiness. The father and brother also had to deal with their own worldly pursuits, but eventually all "came to himself."
Will gave me a picture of the Prodigal, the Father, and the Brother that serves as a constant reminder that I need to daily "come to myself" recognizing who I am and who my children are.
Love you all!
This parable always reminds me of Alma the younger teaching the poor...
ReplyDelete6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.
7 Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:
8 I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so, blessed are ye.
There are times in my life where I have been compelled to be humble, then there are times where I choose to make the better choice.
Wow another week has gone by and these are my thoughts on this scripture this week and he came to himself could mean a lot in this scripture and it could mean the Savior realized that he had a few choices to make in his life that could be hard! It also means that we all have decisions in our life's to make too. Those are my thoughts for this week ! Have a great week !
ReplyDeleteMariah sparrow
Since watching conference it seemed as though several themes touched on understanding who we are. When we truly come to ourselves as HIS children then we can become what He sees in us to become.
ReplyDeleteSorry one more thought here...I heard a speaker give a talk about dealing with prodigals. He said it is interesting to note some passages/stories in the scriptures about this topic. You will notice that those who want to help the prodigals ask for help to be changed so they can know how to help them. It's not our job to change them, it is our responsibility to become an instrument in the Saviors hands. We need to be refined and purified so we can reach out. We "come to ourselves."
ReplyDelete