When Omar blessed Isaiah at his
baby blessing, He blessed him to follow the good example of his brother. As an
older sibling, I never felt that responsibility to set a good example. It never
crossed my mind, but it is something I have prayed Helaman would be aware of
since that day. That’s what verse 1 makes me think of.
I also wonder if his brothers were
sad that their dad wasn’t going to say more to them. It sounds like Alma is
about to die here, and these are his final words. I remember how important
everyone’s last conversation with my Aunt Barbie was to each of us. I think
they probably didn’t want that council to end. Even if Corianton was going to
be chastised, I am sure they all wished for more.
Sometimes we all end up paying
more attention to the kids causing the problems, and feeling guilty about it.
It’s hard to not make the good kids feel forgotten. Maybe referring to the
brother who had made good choices was to include him and recognize the good as
well as the bad? I think it speaks well of Corianton that, despite his
mistakes, he wasn’t offended and hardened by the comparison, but ends up
repenting. I am really bad about not listening when I need to be corrected, but
rather getting offended or defensive. I really need to work on being more
humble.
Which really ties into verse 2,
where the problem he had was boasting about his own strength and wisdom, which
I recognize is a problem I have. I may not say it out loud, but I often think
it. And as my husband pointed out recently, I don’t even want to talk about
decisions I have been made or ever be questioned. I have been feeling very
prompted that I am too proud of my own strength and wisdom.
Which I think goes back to
continually being drawn out to God in prayer. Because I am probably right
sometimes, but I am sure not as much as I think I am. If I was humbling myself
and asking for His direction more, would that help me to be more humble in
general? And I am sure staying closer to the Spirit would help me listen to
other people with more openness and love. And listening.
It is interesting to me that Alma
says that the reason Corianton didn’t have an excuse for going after Isabel was
that he should have stuck with his responsibilities. It wasn’t that he knew
better, though I am sure he did, but if he had being really taking care of the
things God had entrusted to him, he wouldn’t have been in trouble. The ministry
I have been entrusted with is my family first and foremost, visiting teaching
(kind of, if I ever get the assignment) and my primary class. Am I tending to
my ministry? I can see how a focus on serving God would keep us from all kinds
of trouble. It keeps us focused on His love, and loving other people. That is
what we really need to worry about, and not get distracted from. I guess it,
again, comes back to where you are focused every day. And that seems to go back
to the constantly praying and making sure I stay in the scriptures. As in everything,
it is hard not be frustrated with not be perfect about it, but I am doing
better, and I can see that it makes a difference. It is always the enduring to
the end that gets me, but I will press forward!
No comments:
Post a Comment