SO FAR BENEATH OUR POTENTIAL...............

Lately I have been reading Elder Richard G. Scott's book "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy"!! It has touched my spirit and soul so deeply with the teachings there!! He has always been one of my favorite Apostles to learn from and retain in my heart his teachings! The lessons he teaches ingrain so deeply in the depths of my soul, an even greater desire to live up to my potential and truly accomplish all my "assignments" left to do on this earth! It makes my heart cringe to fathom missing even one of those preexistent promises I made to my Heavanly Father!! As I read a book like this or listen to talks or the lessons of others, the realization of a need to recommit and have a more determined willingness "to submit to all things which my Father in Heavan seeth fit to inflict upon me", creates a stirring within me of excitement! Imagine the prospect of truly being the very best self that I can be on this earth!!!!!!! That is the greatest and most desired pleading of my heart! Just imagine what it would be like to appear at judgement day before the Lord and realize that which could have been, or which I could have had, but was not willing to do the work to attain it! Yes, it is work, but what a glorious work! To be an instrument in My Heavanly Father's hands to accomplish the deeds, words, and actions He would do if He were here Himself overwhelms me! What HE has done for me in Gethsemane and on the cross, as well as all the blessings, comforts, helps, companionship, teachings, and "signatures" (to me personally those small but very significant reminders that He knows me personally,loves me (even in spite of my blunders, sins, and neglect) and is forever mindful of me--Joyce Evenson--His little girl!!! One of the apostles (I beleive it was ?Elder Maxwell) stated that we each live far below the potential that which we a capable of. That statement has sent me pondering many times. It has also been said that if we could glimpse into eternity for a second and see the spiritual us and the entire capacity and character that we are capable of attaining, we would be astounded and fall to our knees tearfully acknowledging our neglect of performing as necessary! The thought that with Heavanly Father and Jesus Christ help, we CAN accomplish and be all that we were intended! The Lord can help us make more out of our life than we can comprehend is possible within us. We just need to ask and submit to what we can do to be better, and then DO that which He says!! After all, He knows and sees us as we REALLY ARE AND CAN BE!! The "Expert" "tuner upper" knows how to encourage us to truly reach our potential. It is US that needs to become more humble and willing to undergo that "overhaul"!!!!!!! As for me, I am ready for the grueling work and effort that it takes to change out, and clean out those nonworking parts and oil up the "engine" to work harder and more efficiently!!