HAPPY DEFINITION

"WHO KNOWS WHAT I WILL FIND!"

A few years ago, my then 86-year-old Father and I were having lunch, which issomething we tried to do at least once a week. We shared important memories, ideals, and concepts. At one point during the conversation, the dialogue veeredonto the social problems of the day. We talked about it, and the more we did, the more depressing the topic became. Then, with a humorous note of resignation, he said, “Well, I won’t have to worry about these issues muchlonger.” It was a clear reference to his age and the obvious lack of time he had left on this planet. Then, as an afterthought, he added, “But, then again, who knows what I’ll find!” We both smiled. Indeed, who knows clearly what awaits us on the other side? Problems exist not only throughout the universebut throughout eternity. Some believe there is nothing to find. That we die, and that isthe end of us. I don’t hold such a fatalistic outlook on man’s existence. No, Ihold onto the words of the prophets that we are eternal. I hold onto the innermostfeelings I have that I am not just a random accident. No, I believe I ameternal and that “what is on the other side” is a continued life with my lovedones and hopefully with my Savior and my Father in Heaven. The clarion call of the gospel message is that through theatonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the lawsand ordinances of the gospel. The message of salvation to mankind is eternal!Its redemptive power applies to this life and crosses the universe, worldswithout end. Who knows for sure what exactly awaits us all on the other side.Perhaps we rest from all our cares or perhaps, as my Father insinuated, westill have much work to do once there.  But we both were trying to followthe admonition of Paul, “We believe all things, we hope all things, we haveendured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.”(Philippians4:8) My Father entered the portal to the other side several years agoat the age of ninety-three, seven years after we had lunch that day and heldthat conversation. He left this life with a strong testimony of the atonementof Jesus Christ and that life is eternal. He bore testimony of that fact whenhe smiled and simply exclaimed, without question, “Who knows what I’ll find!”His resounding exclamation testified to me that he had a belief that life inall its complexities, will continue in the next world and beyond. This life is fullof all kinds of adventure; some I have loved and some I haven’t. As I continuetowards the veil that will take me into the next world, I find myself thinkingabout that conversation with my dad and I chuckle. Because I am beginning tofind that I am now in his place and the worries of the world are becoming lessin my thoughts and the things of the next are beginning to enter and I find myselfsmiling because, “Who knows what I will find!”

"THAT WAS MY MISTAKE...I STOPPED PRAYING!

In the arms of the angel Fly away from here From this dark cold hotel room And the endlessness that you fear You are pulled from the wreckage Of your silent reverie You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here

HAPPY DEFINITION

It’s been years, but the sticky note still sits prominently attached to my car dashboard.It’s the definition of happiness that our oldest grandchild wrote for my wife and me. It was written during the COVID shutdown, when we all became ‘recluses,’ and she and her family weren’t able to come over. When finally sheand her family were able to come over and share Sunday dinners together, she gave my wife and me this note. I look at that message every day, and it alwaysbrings a smile to my face. It reads: “HAPPY DEFINITION: Being able to see our amazing grandparents.” The phraseology of that somehow captures my heart. A happyfamily life is a primary goal, not only in mortality but also in theeternities. Recognizing our limitations because of the agency of others, HenryB. Eyring once said: “We cannot control what others choose to do, and so we cannotforce our children to heaven, but we can determine what we will do. And we candecide that we will do all we can to bring down the powers of heaven into thatfamily we want so much to have forever.” I’m not sure about you, but there seems to be nothing moreuniversal than the desire to come from a home of love and have a family.Oftentimes, when a loving family is not provided, other imitations take itsplace, such as gangs, clubs, political associations, and various groups. Noneseems to foster the genuine love that we all seek. If you come from a ‘good family,’ as my granddaughter wrote,‘It’s amazing!’ And if you don’t come from a family of love, try to create one.Over the years, I have met many individuals who have not come from the idealhome, who have turned the unsteady family life of their youth into loving andwonderful homes. I call them ‘bridge builders’, because they provide a bridgefrom a less-than-ideal background into a peaceful and loving environment fortheir offspring. I have observed that when you put your heart and trust in theLord, and find a mate who shares that goal, happiness is not guaranteed, but itis much more attainable and probable with a foundation built upon the rock ofthe gospel of Jesus Christ.

I KISS A FOOL EVERYDAY...BUT I STILL LOVE'EM!

The other day I was standing in line at the local grocery store. The cashier I got thatday was rather “chatty.” She was a pleasant woman who looked to be aroundfifty. While she scanned my items, she never stopped talking, which is fine, Iguess, except that she was not talking to me but to the woman cashier next toher. I really didn’t mind; sometimes its nice to just go through a line withouthaving to interact. But I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation whichconsisted of tidbit gossip regarding the “personnel” of the store. However, Ihad to laugh when I overheard the other cashier say, “My nose is itching!” Towhich my cashier responded rather jovially, “You know what they say, ‘When yournose itches you are going to kiss a fool.’” The other woman laughed. Then as Iturned to walk away, my cashier blurted out with gusto, “I kiss a fooleveryday… but I still love him.” She was, of course, affectionately referringto her husband. As I walked out of the grocery store towards my car that day tothe sound of women’s laughter, I had to smile to myself. Funny how true somesilly statements really are! I certainly have done some pretty foolish thingsin my day. A number of years ago, I was in line at a Subway shop located acrossfrom my office. As I approached the cashier, I got out the money to pay for mysub. The cost was six dollars and some change. I had in my pocket atwenty-dollar bill, a five dollar bill and change. For some reason I justdidn’t want to break that twenty. It seems as soon as you break atwenty-dollar bill you might as well toss it to the wind because youalways spend it and you never have anything to show for it. Alas, it appeared Ihad no options but to break it. However, lo and behold, a solution emerged.There in front of me was the “give a penny, take a penny box.” A dollar billwas in that box. I gleefully took the dollar out and handed it to the cashieralong with my five and the change. My twenty had been saved. But as soon as Ipaid for it and started to walk out of the store, it dawned on me that perhapsI had robbed the “Tip” box. I was so embarrassed that I scampered out to thecar where my wife was waiting. As I got into the car, with heart pounding, I recountedmy deed. She hung her head down and slowly shook it. “Please”, she said, “Don’ttell me you robbed them of their tip money!” Nothing more needed to be said. Iquickly put the car into gear and, for the first time since my teenage years, Ilaid “rubber” as we pulled out. Well, the next week I went back into that same Subway for lunch.As I made my way down the line, I kept looking for the “give a dollar, take adollar” box. As I paid my bill, I spied the “unmarked” box. I nonchalantly saidto the young girl behind the counter. “Hey, is this your “tip” box?” She smiledand said, “Yes.” Then she leaned forward and said, “You wouldn’t believe it, Iheard some guy came in here last week and took a dollar out of it to pay forhis sub.” I stammered, “No way!” “Yeah” she said, “The nerve of some people!”(On a subsequent visit I righted my wrong to the ‘Tip Jar.’) Jacques Maritain once said: “We don’t love qualities, we lovepersons; sometimes by reason of their defects as well as of their qualities.” Well, I don’t know what got into me the day I raided the “tip”box. But I learned that we all play the fool from time to time. I keepreminding my wife that our wedding vows said “for better or worse”, even if“worse” comes up more often than “better”. My wife doesn’t like it when I tellthis story because, well… the story stands as evidence against her that shekisses a fool everyday. I can only hope she still loves me.

A FUNERAL FOR LAZARUS

A number of years ago I attended the funeral of my uncle. He has been in ill health formany, many years. Countless members of his family traveled long distances topay their respects. His funeral was filled with beautiful music and testimoniesfrom loved ones of his life. During most of his mortal time on earth, my unclehas suffered from the symptoms of Diabetes. He had several organ transplants,including his kidney and pancreas. On more than one occasion, he appeared to benear death, only to recover and continue onward. His victory over death went onfor decades. Even so, he was still a relatively young man of sixty-eight whenhe passed away. In cheating death so often, he was affectionately given thenickname “The Lazarus Man” by my family. And although over the years, he woneach battle over death, in the end, he lost the war. The day of a funeral evencomes for Lazarus! Perhaps you remember the story of the Biblical Lazarus whom myUncle was warmly nicknamed. He was a follower of Jesus, as were his sistersMartha and Mary. His story is found in the eleventh chapter of John. “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the townof Mary and her sister Martha… Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, andLazarus…Then when Jesus came, he found that he (Lazarus) had lain in the gravefour days already…Jesus saith unto her (Martha), Thy brother shall rise again.Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection atthe last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life, he thatbelieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever livethand believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him,Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which shouldcome into the world” (John 11:1,5, 23-27) The scriptural account then goes on to record that Jesus calledLazarus forth from the tomb. Lazarus, though expired four days, comes forthfrom the land of the dead to live again. This miracle is symbolic of Christ’spower over death. Not just the physical, but also the spiritual! Lazarus the man is mentioned, by name, only once more in the scriptural records. But thereare traditions of varying accounts as to the outcome of his life. The date ofhis “second” death is uncertain. But this much is for sure, there was anotherfuneral held for Lazarus. As I sat in the pews, I was again reminded of the fragile natureof this life. I know that someday a funeral service will be held for me. ..As I looked around and sawthe wet eyes, and rolling tears on those who loved my Uncle, it was clear to methat the words spoken by my Father, like many others at such services, weretrue. He testified that the only hope we have, is our hope in the power of resurrection,as made possible by our Savior. In this we gain some comfort. It is a terriblething to lose a loved one. It is an emptiness that can best be described onlyby those who have experienced it. It is a void that will not be satisfied andcannot be filled till “that” day! “That” day is the day of resurrection aspromised by the Lord. It is on “that” day when the emptiness and lonelinesswill end for those that suffer from the gulf of separation. “The day of resurrectionmay be far off, but it is getting closer by the minute. It is getting closerbecause “that” day exists! It is real and it is made possible by the sacrificeof Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for us so that we might live again...Our physical bodies will lie in a box becoming “dust!” I shudder to think that that will be the end of who Iam, or that of everyone I have ever loved. I know it isn’t! I know that throughthe sacrifice of our Savior, I will live again. You will live again! We areeternal! Thanks be to a loving Father who designed a plan whereby we can livetogether, with our loved ones, in His presence for eternity. I believe this tobe true and know it is so in my heart!