Okay, so I'm reading this book that came out a couple months ago written by Kristen Oaks. First, let me just say that I love her! I have met her and have heard her speak... she is truly amazing!! When she came to speak to us at the Westminster Institute, she wasn't feeling very well so she brought along her husband, Elder Dallin H. Oaks. She informed us that if she couldn't make it through, that he would finish up for her. Afterwards, she made sure that everyone had an opportunity to shake his hand and meet him. I think she told me two or three times to go shake his hand. A wonderful spirit!!
With this book, it's about her life and the life of others while they are single, and usually single for many years, for this life, or became widowed. If you know me, I don't really love the fact that I'm 25 and single; however, I'm trying to love it. This books really helps me out a lot, and puts a lot of things in a different perspective. It helps when I am part of a Church and a Ward that is very focused on families (remember, I am not a part of an eternal family right now as I'm the only member in my family).
Chapter 8: Never a Single Dull Moment is the chapter I'm currently reading, and it's so good! Okay - the whole book is amazing so far, and I'm sure it won't let me down to the end. I wanted to pull out some things that I've read that I just loved. Maybe this will inspire others or not. Either way, I know it has helped me and opened my eyes a little more.
"A valued single friend has written: 'When we come into this world, we are alone. When we enter the waters of baptism, we do this as individuals. We are confirmed one at a time. One by one we bear our testimonies. Each of us is endowed in the temple as an individual. Our Church callings usually come to the one. And when we die, it will likely be a lone experience. I think we expect that so much of life is about being a couple or with others that we ignore all the times that Heavenly Father expects us to stand alone, to be counted as an individual, and to personally bear witness. We shouldn't be surprised that so many of our key experiences come to us alone. Likewise, salvation comes to one soul at a time' Because salvation comes individually to us, we had better like ourselves and feel comfortable with who we are (153-154)."
"My motto [Dini Hansma] is: You will receive in life comparable to what you give. Single people especially need to reach out to others. Sitting back and waiting to see what others will do for you might mean you have to wait for a long time. Nobody is served by being depressed about it or having a depressed person on their hands. There is so very much to do. Help unconditionally, because if you expect rewards you will not get them and you will be disappointed. Count your blessings, and really name them one by one. Then thank the Lord for all you have and for all you can do. Ask Him what you can do for Him, instead of the other way around."
I may be single, and even have a lot of pressure to find an eternal companion to have my own family, BUT I can do so much as a single adult that many others may not be able to do. This really is MY time to serve the Lord to the fullest, and to learn all about me. This is my time to enjoy the blessings I've been given, and to enjoy the simple moments where the only one I have to think about is myself when needed, and go out and serve others as it calls for!!
1 comment:
I was thinking on your "only member in a family comment" and thought of when I was a convert and not yet sealed to anyone. One thing that really helped me was to do my family history and start doing the temple work for my family. They are all now sealed and I know - that despite the gaps in the links - I am sealed to those people and they love me for my effort and my work on their behalf. Also, remember you are always sealed to the Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ and if you are the only one to make it back that is one sweet sealing to have. That is the sealing you inherited and baptism and all the other parts that don't quite fit right now won't matter because all will be happy in the celestial kingdom - it just won't be an unhappy place. You are loved and should know that you are sealed to those that really matter most...
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