Oh it is wonderful ?

     In our Hymnbook there is a hymn whose chorus opines that "Oh it is Wonderful, that He should care for me enough to Die for me.  Oh it is Wonderful, Wonderful to me."  The He in this case would be Jesus, and the death spoken of would be that atonement that took place in the garden and on the cross.
   
     All of my life I have loved this hymn,  and loved to sing it loud and with all the passion of one who want's everyone to know that I BELIEVE.
 
       Yet at times, when I fall short of the goal of Godly Perfection, I wonder if my shortcomings are really a manifestation of my lack of belief.  If I really believed, wouldn't I be a better Disciple,  A better example of what I profess to believe?  If I am a true believer shouldn't I proclaim my allegiance  to the Lord every time I am asked, and not just when I know it is safe to do so?

     Enter Peter, That same Peter who walked on water because he believed, yet faltered because he took his eyes off our Savior, and was asked "wherefore didst thou doubt?"   This Peter, who also denied the that he knew the Savior 3 times, went on to become might in his Testimony.  Mighty in he faith and Mighty in his Priesthood.

     If even the Mighty Peter could have moments of Human Weakness, and still come back to become who the Savior needed,  Who would stand and testify even unto Death, Then surely there is hope for me.

  I do stand, amazed at the Saviors love for me.  I do think of His hands Pierced and bleeding to pay my debt.  I do marvel that He would extend such great love and mercy.  I do look forward to the day when I too can kneel at his feet and there declare with a heart full of love and devotion.

OH It is Wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me.
Oh it is Wonderful to me.

Perfection comes in small steps one at a time.  Like steps upon the windy water, we must make sure that each step is taken with our focus on the Savior.  Yet if we falter, become distracted by the wind and the world, and find our selves beginning to sink beneath the waves of doubt and despair, all we need do is call out. Lord Save Me and reach out our hand.  We will find his hand every time.

and That Is why He is Wonderful.

Some days it is harder than others to choose the cheerful path.  These last few months have been especially difficult as friends and family became more and more divisive  and at times almost hateful in their view points on how the world should be.

In the Movie "Hook"  Peter Pan needs to find his happy place in order to be able to fly.   We too need to find our happy place in order to soar above the din of the world and find that inner peace that so many are searching for.

Here are some thoughts on how to find that happy place, and how to help others find their happy place as well.

Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”   

Mother Teressa: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” 

Buddha: “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

Florence Nightingale:     “I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.”

Martin Luther King Jr. : “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Jesus Christ : “Love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another, by this shall all men know ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another”

These people who changed the world around them and never once felt the need to shout obscenities, burn others property, insult those who did not agree with them, or even spam themselves all over the nightly news or a social media website.  They were not looking for attention,  they were not looking to become famous,  They acted quietly and consistently. They promoted a peaceful change in the world around them. They loved without judgement, they helped without fear, they gave their lives to the quiet service that brings about a real change in real people.  If you find that people are not listening to you rant and scream your cause,  perhaps it is time to try another way.  After we all learned that Actions speak LOUDER than words. 

We need to become more gentle in our actions and words while standing firm for those principles upon whose moral compass we rely to know how to be loving and kind and compassionate.  

Happiness is a choice we make when we are living by the standard and guidelines that were given by our most Loving and Kind Father in Heaven. 

 He who knows all and loves all, He who sees each of us as His own, and longs for us to each find that happiness, He has given us a way to be the happiest of all.  Simply be kind to one another.  Treat each person you meet with a bit more tenderness, and time.  Stop shouting and listen for a min,  and you just might find that you agree on more than you disagree. 

Happiness is a Choice,  Choose Cheerful and Kind, Live you life with more love,  Find your happy place.