My One-hundred-and-twentieth Post

A few days ago, I received a package from home. Since all of my family was at home for Labor Day except me, they took pictures of all of the fun stuff they did. Then they sent me the pictures along with something to represent each activity (i.e., microwave popcorn to represent going to the movies). My mom claims it was to let me know they missed me, but Martin reassures me it was just to rub it in. In any case, isn't my family great?

Also, I've been thinking a lot lately about charity. Mostly about how uncharitable I am. If someone says something a little bit on the edge of doctrine during a Sunday school lesson, I silently scoff at their ideas. If someone says something very mainstream, I will mock them for being clichè. There's really no way to escape my scorn if you're speaking out loud in my presence.

Interestingly enough, I don't think it's all my fault. Instead, I blame all of you*. That's right, You. I get to listen to your rants about idiotic people who give horrible lessons that reference Chicken Soup For the Soul more often than the actual material in the manuals. I laugh along with you at your humorous stories about people who manage to find the exceptions to the "there are no stupid questions" rule. I see you when you roll your eyes and complain that all ward activities are lame. Now in most cases, I agree with you. I see your point. But here's the problem: I probably respect you a lot, and I probably crave your approval. If you think an activity is lame, there's no way I'm going to want to go. If you mention something negative about a lesson, I'm going to find it difficult to see the positive things about future lessons. I've been carefully honing this skill for several years now, and it turns out, it's a really hard habit to break.

I've pretty much stopped enjoying my church meetings and become very cynical (or uncharitable) about the whole thing. Now, really, I can't blame you all for this. It's really my fault, and ultimately, my problem. But I think it might help me out a little bit if we all try to be just a little bit more charitable.

I don't want you to censor yourself just because I'm around. But in talking with some of you, I find a spiritual side of you I was previously unaware of. Can we maybe let this shine through a little more often? Emphasize the good things more than the ridiculous? Share the important spiritual stuff instead of tucking it away behind a façade of humorous anecdotes? Please? This is important.

Thank you for your time,

&etc.




* This is, of course, much easier than blaming myself. Please forgive my momentary weakness.