This year for Christmas we had Bob and Mom come up from New Harmony to stay with us for 4 days. Sean also came over a lot and hung out. We had a great time together playing games, watching movies and talking around the table as we munched on yummy food. The girls got spoiled like crazy and we all had a great time. Santa came a day earlier this year as requested by us so we could enjoy a long Saturday with our new games and toys. Sunday was Christmas and Ryan and I were asked to speak in church. I thought I would share my talk this time so my kids will have it with this blog book when I print it for them. I want them to know of my testimony.
Merry Christmas everyone! It’s so good to be here and see many of you here on this Christmas morning.
President Monson told a story many years ago about an older gentleman who sat next to a young man on a railroad coach. This young man revealed that he was returning home after he had been a paroled convict in a distant prison. The young man was obviously depressed and He shared how being in prison had brought shame to his family, and they had neither visited him nor written often. He hoped, however, that this was only because they were too poor to travel and too uneducated to write. He hoped, despite the evidence, that they had forgiven him.
To make it easy for them, this young man had written home, asking his family that they put up a signal for him when the train passed their little farm on the outskirts of town. If his family had forgiven him, they were to put up a white ribbon in the big apple tree which stood near the tracks. If they didn’t want him to return, they were to do nothing, and he would remain on the train as it traveled onward.
As the train neared his hometown, the suspense became so great that he couldn’t bear to look out of his window. He exclaimed, “In just five minutes the engineer will sound the whistle indicating our approach to the long bend which opens into the valley I know as home. Will you watch for the apple tree at the side of the track?” The older man said he would and they exchanged places. The minutes seemed like hours, but then there came the shrill sound of the train whistle. The young man asked, “Can you see the tree? Is there a white ribbon?”
The older man replied, “I see the tree. I see not one white ribbon, but many. There is a white ribbon on every branch. Son, someone surely does love you.”
In that instant, all the bitterness that had poisoned a life was dispelled. “I felt as if I had witnessed a miracle,” the older man said.
I love this time of year. It’s a time I reflect a lot on our Savior, His birth, His life and how I can be more like Him. And because of Him, I try to be a better listener. I try to be more patient. I try to be kinder with my words and my actions. I try to be a better friend. I try to visit my neighbors more. And most importantly, I try to be the best mom I know how to be to my kids and a loving wife to my sweet husband...YET, I still come up short. I fail miserably at times and "fall flat on my face" other times. And my good intentions to help someone, or make something for someone doesn't happen and all it becomes is just that, a good intention.
But, I have learned that it’s perfectly okay. That this is WHY the Savior was born. He and our Heavenly Father knew we were going to fall and fall hard sometimes. They already knew this. President Eyring said, The Savior’s birth is the gift that makes it possible for the Father to give us “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” We shouted for joy in the spirit world when we heard of that promise.
And because of His birth and death, He steps in and bridges the gap of what I can not do myself. He makes me whole and saves me when I fall short of the mark. What a miraculous gift this is. He has given this to me and to you and to all of us, if we but turn to Him. Give up all our sins, our doubts and turn our hearts to Him. He has promised us, that if we but seek Him and follow Him, He will heal our hearts and ease our pains. No problems, no sins, no grief is too great for Him to heal. I know that this is true. I know it, because I have felt it. Countless times in my life. He has taken my heartache and times of loneliness and replaced it with comfort and love. He has taken away my hurt and anger and replaced it with forgiveness and kindness. He has taken away the intense pain, sorrow and longing I have ever felt of losing our son and He has replaced it with hope and complete and utter peace.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
John chapter 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
President Monson also stated, “His love, His promise, His presence is as a white ribbon, tied with care and marked with compassion. To your loved ones He has beckoned, “Welcome home.” To you He speaks the heavenly and divine assurance: “I am with you; you are never alone.”
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5.)
I am so grateful this holiday season to celebrate His humble birth. The story of the young man on the train home fills me with hope. Hope that it’s not only necessary to forgive, but infinitely possible, whatever our circumstances may be. For us to forgive others and for us to be forgiven from whatever we may have done wrong. Even when we try are hardest we will still fail at times but the hope and peace come as we come to know our Savior. And when we do, His birth, His life and His death will mean everything to us. And THAT is why I keep trying. And that is why we all keep trying. Without His birth and His eternal sacrifice we would not be able to be with our family or see our loved ones that have passed on. I am so grateful for this knowledge. What joy and peace it gives to me. I am grateful for my Savior. And that He makes up for my shortcomings. I know that He lives and that He loves us. I am so grateful for a loving husband and wonderful kids who help me to become a better version of myself. I am grateful to be in this ward with all of you and the friendships we have made are so valuable to me. And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
