#29: B is for Becoming

This video was shown to me by a very good friend. It's the story:

"The Missing Piece Meets the Big O" by Shel Silverstein.

While I'm sure this story could have many interpretations, I wanted to focus on what we can learn by letting the Big O represent our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Savior doesn't have any missing pieces. He is complete. His offer to us is to follow His example and become complete ourselves. Like the Missing Piece in the story we may try to find others to "complete us". That didn't provide lasting happiness for the Missing Piece though, and it won't provide lasting happiness for us either.

Yes, there will be bumps and falls along the path of becoming like our Savior. It probably didn't feel good for the Missing Piece to "lift, pull, flop" over and over again. It may have been uncomfortable to have the sharp corners worn off. But ultimately, that's what transformed the Missing Piece into a shape that could stand and move independent of those around it. That's exactly what the Atonement of Jesus Christ offers to us.

Not only did the Savior's life provide the example of what we're trying to become, His Atonement provides us the enabling power to actually change our nature and become more like He is. And as we become more like Him our light shines brighter, illuminating the path for others to follow.

 

B is for Becoming

#28: A is for Attitude

Talking with my companion this morning I related an experience I had over a year ago before this whole crazy adventure started. It was back in the spring of 2011 and I was getting ready to graduate. I had spent the last 18 years of my life in school. My whole life to that point had been focused on my formal education. Don't get me wrong—I had church, friends, family, extracurriculars, work, etc. tied in there as well—but for the past 18 years if someone had asked me what I did or who I was, my response was "I'm a student." My identity was wrapped up in my schooling.

I was a student. That’s what I did. That’s who I was.

With graduation looming, and in the midst of the excitement of finally finishing my degree I was struck with a moment of panic. I wouldn’t be in school any more.

And if I wasn’t a student…

...then who was I?

Yes, panic took over for a moment. Fear of the unknown was starting to creep in and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to find out what life outside of college looked like. The mountain in front of me looked awfully intimidating. But then I had this wonderful sense of freedom come over me. I wasn’t a student anymore. I wasn’t anything right now. And that meant I could be anything I wanted. I didn’t have any labels; I wasn’t stuck in any ruts. I was at the bottom of the mountain and I could pick any trail I wanted to climb. And with that simple change of attitude about the situation, my perspective was transformed and what was initially frightening became exciting and engaging.

Any situation we find ourselves in can be transformed into an opportunity if we will approach it with the right attitude. I’m not perfect at this but I’m working on it and every time I get a little closer, I find greater joy for life and its many opportunities. I know the same can happen for you.

A is for Attitude

#21: Growing Pains

When I was little, I remember getting these really bad muscle aches every once in a while. My mom called them growing pains. The assumption was that everytime my muscles hurt randomly it was because I was growing. Yes, I wanted to be tall (my goal in life was to be 6' tall someday...that didn't happen, oh well) but as much as I wanted to be taller, those growing pains sure hurt and I can't say that I was always grateful for them even though I knew it meant that I was growing.

Eventually I grew up and the growing pains got less and less. Now I can't even remember the last time I had one. And it was definitely worth it because I really can't picture myself being happy staying at the size I was when I was 6.

Correlating this to missionary work--and life in general for that matter:

Sometimes things hurt (usually spiritually or mentally instead of physically although that's not always true). Everyone keeps telling me that means I'm growing.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...
Sometimes it's hard to remember that it's worth it but I know that the pain doesn't last forever. I know that ultimately it will be something I'm grateful for. The Lord has promised us that the experiences we have will be for our good. So the next time you feel one of those growing pains, just know that it won't be like this forever. And in the end it will be a good thing.

Growing is good!