"Exuberance" is a good word - Ponderize - Week 55

She turned to Miriam with an overly enthusiastic handshake and a sing-songy voice, "Hi!! My name is Elise!! I'm so happy you're here!! I'm going to be your very best friend!!"
Miriam wasn't interested in best friends or any friends for that matter.  She was upset that she had to go to a new ward in the first place and struggled to understand why we had to attend a completely different building when it really wasn't much further away than the chapel near our old place.
She gave Elise a half-smile and responded flatly, "Thanks."

After church, Miriam complained, "There's only two girls in Young Women's and the one that's my age is way too hyper."  She told me all about the chatty blond bubbly girl who flung herself into her personal space.
"Aren't you glad she was nice to you though?" I asked.
"Well... yeah, I guess so." She muttered quitely.
I continued, "Imagine walking into Young Women's and this girl was the type who was snarky and snobbish. Don't you think that would have been much more difficult to deal with?"
Miriam thought for a moment, "You're right.  I'm glad she was friendly.  I just think she needs to tone it down a bit."
I laughed understandingly, "Well, I bet she's super excited because she finally gets to have another girl her age in class.  I wonder how long it has been that they've only had two Young Women? Wouldn't you be happy?"

Yesterday was our second Sunday.  We sat in the row right behind Miriam's "new best friend"--she was holding her toddler sister, bouncing and playing with her in her lap. As soon as she saw Miriam out of the corner of her eye, she flipped around and extended her hand, "Hi again, it's so great to see you!" She said something about it being a beautiful day and then went back to playing with her sister.
Miriam leaned over to me and whispered, "That's her."
I guessed as much and whispered back, "I like her!"
She smiled warmly and I could tell that she was beginning to like her too.

After church, we gathered everyone in the van, "Where's Miriam?" I asked. Joseph pointed across the parking lot to Miriam and Elise, "They're walking home together. I guess all the youth from this ward walk home together. At least that's what one of the other parents was telling me."
"Really?" I thought, "That's so cool!"
Chandler watched as we began to drive by the group of youth, "let me out," he said.  He opened the side door of the van and ran to all the kids.  They didn't flinch and just let him mix right in.  It was so awesome to see! What a blessing!

I've been reading the Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon for my personal scripture study and as I read one of the verses, I couldn't help but think of Miriam's happy friend and how grateful I was that she wasn't stuck-up or arrogant in any way.  I really think that would have made our move much too difficult for her.

"And it shall come to pass that the lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day... The high ones of stature shall be hewn down; and the haughty shall be humbled... But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth..." Isaiah 2:11, 10:33, 11:4

The verse I'm pondering for the week is The Message version of Galatians 5:22-23
 "But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."

-Alicia

Be Thou Humble - By, Elder Steven E. Snow

Beauty Divine

"I looked and beheld a tree... and the beauty thereof was far beyond, 

yea, exceeding of all beauty."

(1 Nephi 11:8)

Breathtaking vision, It's a sight to behold,

Something about it that never grows old.

Its brilliance is timeless and shines like the Son-

Bright as the day heav'n and earth become one.

Age will not tarnish purest beauty Divine

Each passing year only ripen, refine

Growing in majesty and flourishing grace,

Kindness, compassion, a smiling face,

Inspiring virtue, fine-tuned affection

Hope, friendship, joy, and human connection.
A new Spirit within from heaven above
Constantly reaching with a Christlike love,

Everlasting beauty that conquers the grave

Lives on in the soul and all that they gave.

by, Alicia Rawlins

Tree of Life by, Audiomachine

“I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and … lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.” - President Thomas S. Monson

"I have come to know that it is the love of God and neighbor that gives meaning to life. May we follow our Savior’s example and His admonition to reach out to others with love." - Cheryl A. Esplin

"There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving." - Henry Drummond

"You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love." - Henry Drummond

The Fruit of the Tree

Imagine a banquet table full of fruit with all kinds of varieties.  Most people could pick out any number of them, examine its characteristics (its color, shape, smell, taste, and feel) and be able to discern the type of tree the fruit has come from.  In fact, I bet most people could do it in the dark, blindfolded, by taste alone, because we've become so familiar.  

In the Book of Mormon, I'm currently studying one of my favorite parts, Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. Are we familiar enough with this Tree to recognize the fruit in our lives when we see it, feel it, or taste it?  How is this fruit described so that we may discern and know, truly know?

Fruit of the Tree of Life

• Desirable to make one happy (1 Nephi 8:10)
• Sweet above all that is sweet (1 Nephi 8:11)
• Exceeds all beauty
• Exceeds all whiteness - pure (1 Nephi 10:8)
• Most precious
• Desirable above all other
• Greatest of all the gifts (1 Nephi 15:36)
• The life of Christ and those who follow in His way
• Christ's Grace and infinite Atonement (1 Nephi 11:27-33)
• The fruit is light (Alma 32:35, 42)
• Partaking of this fruit, we hunger and thirst after nothing more (Alma 32:42)
• The love of God (1 Nephi 11:22)

(The Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23) Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance

The Savior also taught that through examining the fruit, we may recognize the kind of tree it is from.  He said, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” - Matthew 7:20

Upon further study of fruit, I find it interesting the characteristic of carrying seeds is what distinguishes it from being any other other kind of food.  Now this goes for both good trees or corrupt trees… Either way, the seeds have capacity to replicate and perpetuate the tree that it came from over and over again.  There is no limit to the amount of fruit one tree can produce.

But as we ponder about the Tree of Life and the pure and precious fruit that holds these seeds, we can conclude that - Every good thing comes of Christ and there is also no limit.  When properly cared for, there’s no concern of “not enough to go around” no shortages, dividing stages, or caps placed upon it.  “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (D&C 50:24)

Some other patterns of gospel living that can also be found in growing fruit:

• Doesn't happen over night - it takes time
• Needs constant care, nourishing, weeding, pruning and cutting back
• Can be preserved and stored for seasons of scarcity
• Meant to grow in abundance, meant to be shared
• Must have strong roots

President Harold B. Lee once said: “Beautiful, luscious fruit does not grow unless the roots of the … tree have been planted in rich, fertile soil and unless due care is given to proper pruning, cultivation, and irrigation. So likewise the luscious fruits of virtue and chastity, honesty, temperance, integrity, and fidelity are not to be found growing in that individual whose life is not founded on a firm testimony of the truths of the gospel and of the life and the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  - Stand Ye in Holy Places (1974), 218–19

I love the symbolism in trees. If we are familiar enough with the Tree of Life, we can know exactly "what fruit that is"... even in the dark.

-Alicia