Bari and I had a fabulous week of vacation. There were all sorts of suprises, climbing mountains in KY, getting myself locked in a Women's Room stall. But I will expound on every detail at a later date. I need to write about something we heard at the end of the week. I found it all very interesting - on many levels.
Although Bari and I photograph weddings for our own business (check out the web site- there are more photo's on it)- we also photograph weddings as sub-contractors for friends of ours. Scott and Aimee have their own business photographing high school seniors and events, but hate doing weddings. They know how good Bari is, they pay well enough, and so we go and photograph for them.
This couple both (not always at the same time) worked for an LDS family business. Unfortunately, the LDS family were not very good manager/owners which is why Scott and Aimee both eventually left the company. The LDS couple were very difficult to get along with, micromanaging the business and undermining accomplishments of the staff. The office was always very on edge about every little detail that could possibly go wrong, because that would trigger unpleasant consequences from the LDS bosses. (I am being gentle in portraying the LDS family- really). The LDS family was very active in their ward. He would go on Scout campouts, and serve in the Bishopric and on the High Council. She served in Stake capacities. They would take an afternoon off and 'go to the temple' about once a month. Most of the time, the mood in the office would be better when they returned from their temple date.
Scott and Aimee were not an active religious couple when they worked for the LDS couple. In fact, they were quite amused by the hypocracy they saw coming from the LDS family.
We speed up in time 2 years. Scott and Aimee now have their own fledgling company. They took us out to eat after the wedding reception on Saturday and we visited over dinner for over an hour. Scott told us that when they get overwhelmed or stressed about the business, the go on a 'Temple Day'. They actually call it a Temple Day, too. They get into their Jeep, take off into the countryside, find a beautiful calm spot in nature, put in a favorite Christian CD and 'talk' to God. They said it was kind of like praying. (It was EXACTLY like praying!). They express their needs, concerns, and frustrations, and ask for help (!). Aimee said that almost immediately, they will receive what they need to meet their bills, not more than they need at the moment, but just enough to relieve the stress. It was amazing. I never would have seen this couple as looking for spiritual experiences for help.
What REALLY gets to me is that - no matter how (seemingly) awful the example of the LDS couple was, Scott and Aimee gleaned the ONE thing that they needed to become more spiritual as a couple and family. I just can't get over that.
I can't figure out what this means. Does it mean that if (as LDS) we do 'everything right' - go to church, hold callings, pay tithing, attend the temple,----that if we do all that- no matter what bad -horrid- example we set- we'll still somehow also - - - what?- - - help ?
I don't get it.
7 comments:
It means the blessings that come from temple attendance can shine through all of our individual weaknesses and issues and mistakes and bad examples. On the other hand, it also means that actually living the Gospel might have led this couple to copy more than just Temple Day. (That is NOT meant as a condemnation of the LDS couple, since they very well might have been doing all that they personally could do. There's no way to judge that.)
Maybe it means that the Lord will bless our sincere efforts, regardless of the other crap that fills our lives. Maybe it means that the temple will be the LDS couple's (and our) saving grace. Maybe it means He loves us and blesses us beyond our ability to comprehend. Maybe it means He really does give us the framework in which we can grow and become more like Him - no matter how far we have to go.
Whatever it means, I like what it means.
Where did you find a "mountain" in KY?
(OK I guess my Utahn is showing)
I'm so glad you had a good break. You deserve it!
It's very interesting to hear of the influence that our habits as members can have on others, even when our daily behavior may not be setting the right example. I love how this couple was there with the LDS family long enough to learn at least one thing that brought them closer to God. It's a shame to think of how much more they might have gotten (and what the LDS family has lost even in terms of good employees) but it proves that as long as we're trying the Lord blesses our efforts and uses as instruments in His hands.
I agree with the other answers you've received. (Including the UT mtn comment that made me laugh!)
All of us have strengths and weaknesses. We do the best we can to live the gospel the best we can, and hope that our example, taken as a whole, will shine through the moments when we fail to live "perfectly."
Personally, instead of focusing on not getting it, I would focus on the gratitude that your friends were able to internalize the one important thing they needed to learn in order to be better people and to bring them closer to God. That is a blessing!
IMO, that one thing outweighs the negatives of the bad examples in the daily living. (Not saying that the LDS couple shouldn't have been better examples on a regular basis, and not trying to judge them either...) It seems that your friends were able to rise above the negative to find the positive.
And personally, I need a temple date!
I loved that you shared this experience. Personally, I think it means that Heavenly Father loves ALL his children and will help us when we ask. The problem is that most people aren't taught how to ask. In fact, most people don't know that they can ask. The bad example of the LDS business owners may have helped them recognize that they can ask for help, but they still had to have faith to ask.
This is the most wonderful thing about earth life. The Lord will take each of us exactly where we are and help us with what we need if we will have the faith to humble ourselves and ask. This principle works for LDS and non LDS because we are all His children.
I suppose that it does give us hope that even when we are not at our best, we can still touch the lives of others in a positive way, but only if they are prepared to receive the message. How great for your friends that they were prepared to get the message despite the manner in which it was delivered!
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