by Kari Diane Pike
I asked my children if they knew the difference between worth and worthiness. They answered me with astounding insight. At 12, 14 and 17, these three youngest offspring know who they are. They know they are children of God: that all people, big small, good and bad, are immortal beings having a mortal experience and are of infinite worth. They explained that nothing can add to or take away from that worth. They also understand that worthiness is something different. Worthiness depends on the choices a person makes. They know that my love for them is unconditional. They know that my trust has to be earned.
During the long of hours of driving to Arizona, and transporting children back and forth to visit friends, I've been giving a great deal of thought to that discussion. I've believed in, and taught the concepts of worth and worthiness all of my life. This morning, I felt the knowledge and testimony of who we are embed deep into my heart.
All week long, I have been flitting here and there playing with my grandchildren and visiting friends. One dear friend asked about our new home in Utah and wanted to know how I was adjusting to the new climate, neighborhood, ward, etc. She wouldn't accept and quick, "fine", or "good." She dug deep. She finally struck gold when I admitted, "I am there to learn. Everyone there is highly educated, not only secularly, but spiritually too. I really don't think I have anything to offer them there. " Wow. Where did that come from? We had a long discussion about worth and the dangers of valuing ourselves based on our accomplishments. I went to bed still pondering. In the shower this morning (I always seem to get these 'aha' moments in the shower), these words came to me: "Give them love and friendship. It's all about love. It's all in the ministering. Just love them. "
Now why didn't I think of that!
Odd Kari my thoughts ran the same way this morning on my long commute into work. I thought about my life and what a different turn it took and how difficult (I always hesitate to say hard) it's been and little I feel I contribute and "lo and behold" those same words came to me. Something big is afoot here.
ReplyDeleteI am a Utahn transplanted to Arizona. When we decided to make this big move 21 years ago, I decided that Arizona was the greatest place to live, and now it is. It was a culture shock coming from Sandy where my ward was pretty much seven streets, and everyone in everyhouse knew all your business to wards that are sometimes quite spread out and in my neighborhood of 423 homes (I was the HOA Pres. so one of the many useless facts in my brain) there are only 13 LDS families. It is an ajustment, but please oh please never doubt that you are of infinate worth.
ReplyDeleteI too have given thought to this subject. Your statement about worth and "the dangers of valuing ourselves based on our accomplishments" really hit home. Thank you for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI think the world for the most part does place our worth on our accomplishments--in part because they are tangible. And some extend friendship only to those who can help them climb some ladder of accomplishment. So thank you for your lovely thoughts on giving love and friendship--confirming others' worth and our own as we do so. I'll think about it some more in the shower (:
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