Rekindling the Fire.

My wonderful wife has been helping me get back in the habit of reading regularly.  So far I've tackled 3-4 books this year and right now I'm reading the Bio of Elder Neal A. Maxwell.  When I listen to this Disciple of Christ speak on many occasions, I can't help but to think of the refining moments that he went through in order to get where he ended up.  Starting off at such a young age, he served time in the military before his mission.  The deferring moment in his life when he knelt in prayer both in solace and selfishness for his life to be spared.  When bomb shells should have landed on top of him because the exactness that the enemy had solved where his whereabouts where, he knelt in a fox hole just big enough for him to be protected, that very moment he dedicated his life to God, if He would spare him.   I often think of how many times I have offered prayer in pleading cases where if I would get help, I too would change my ways and make better habits come about.  One of the big differences between Elder Maxwell and myself, is he was genuine when he offered such a prayer.  I've been striving to make changes in my life and dedicate more of my time, talents and interest to the Lord and He has seen fit to bless me with.  I know that I am being prepared for those blessings to come and I can only strive to prepare myself so when He is willing to take a chance with me, I'll be ready.

When someone takes for granted, the simple beauties of life, they miss out on understanding the love God has for them and fails to understand the meaning of being a Child of God.  When one comes to understand that he or she is a Child of God, and the take that understand with them as they pray with fervent minds, they become closer to being one with God as He is with his Son.  As it states in the Bible Dictionary, " Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them."  I am reminded of the scripture found in Luke 13:34 as it states, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!"  Just maybe this verse applies to us speaking in the manner of gathering together (being you and your heavenly Father) for a meliorated conversation that becomes bilateral.  I personally feel at times that I forget that prayer is a two-way conversation.  Oft, I speak in prayer...but am still training to listen.  I also even pray that I will recognize the voice of the spirit and not only hear it, but act accordingly to do so.  It may be a hard feat to try but asking heavenly Father for ultimate submission.  Ask Him if there is anything in your life that you have done wrong and if so, bring it to your attention so that you make fix it and make things right.  I know it's not an easy feat, but the growth is ineffable.

One large problem of most people comes from the deviation of time allotment.  People aways say, "I don't have time to do that." What I hear them say is, "I choose to not use my time with that object or task." We all have enough time to do whatever we want.  However, it comes down to us choosing to use our time in such a way that is pleasing unto the demands of society, life, family, work and the various assignments we are given.

After reading part of this Bio of Elder Maxwell, I find myself doing things that I want in a book if someone were to write about me.  If someone came to me and said, "Trevor, I would love to write a book about you and what you did from the time you got married to the time you finished school." I would hope that I could give them substance and credibility.  My wife is the most helpful person in my life that helps give me more meaning to life then ever before.  She is smart, intelligent, self-sustaining, humorous, loving, care-giving and passionate.   She has helped my rekindle my fire when it comes to reading and I love her for that, plus all sorts of other things too. :)