"....and my burden is light..."

Elder David A. Bednar of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently spoke about the loads we are called upon to bear in life.  He said:  

"Each of us also carries a load. Our individual load is comprised of demands and opportunities, obligations and privileges, afflictions and blessings, and options and constraints. Two guiding questions can be helpful as we periodically and prayerfully assess our load: “Is the load I am carrying producing the spiritual traction that will enable me to press forward with faith in Christ on the strait and narrow path and avoid getting stuck? Is the load I am carrying creating sufficient spiritual traction so I ultimately can return home to Heavenly Father?”

Throughout my life I have been taught to turn to my Heavenly Father when I feel "burdened" or like I have a heavy load to bear.  I recently read Elder Bednar's talk again, and it gave me insight and peace.

He spoke of the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ and how His gift of the atonement helps us bear our burdens.  Again he said:  

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

A yoke is a wooden beam, normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals that enables them to pull together on a load. A yoke places animals side-by-side so they can move together in order to accomplish a task.

Consider the Lord’s uniquely individual invitation to “take my yoke upon you.” Making and keeping sacred covenants yokes us to and with the Lord Jesus Christ. In essence, the Savior is beckoning us to rely upon and pull together with Him, even though our best efforts are not equal to and cannot be compared with His. As we trust in and pull our load with Him during the journey of mortality, truly His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

We are not and never need be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help. Through the Savior’s Atonement we can receive capacity and “strength beyond [our] own” (“Lord, I Would Follow Thee,”Hymns, no. 220). As the Lord declared, “Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end” (D&C 100:12).

I love the image of our Savior walking beside us and when we've given all we can and done our best, He lifts our spiritual "yoke" and makes our burdens lighter.  To me, there is great comfort in that.

Just some random thoughts on a stormy Monday afternoon...

"I am SO proud of you!!"

When I work out in the gym, whether I am working with my trainer or by myself, the work-out is a reward in and of itself.  I really don't think about how I look or what other people see when they look at me. To be honest, I have to motivate myself every time I go to the gym. This isn't easy or a "natural" fit for me. I am unlearning years of sedentary habits.  However, every once in awhile I get reminded that people are actually watching me. Although most don't say anything to me, today it was brought to my attention that many of them are silently cheering me on, and wishing me success.

Here's what happened today...

I had a good, but intense, work-out with my trainer and was just finishing up my cardio on the treadmill.

I had just shut down the machine when an older gentleman came up onto the next machine over. He asked if he could speak to me and I said, "Sure".  "Thank you", He said.  "What on earth for?", I asked. He answered, "For being here and sticking with it.  I am SO proud of you!".  A complete stranger, and he was proud of me.  WOW! He encouraged me to keep it up and I told him I'd never quit.  Then I pointed out my trainer, Jerry Shannon and said I owed so much of my efforts to him.  After this nice old man finished chatting with me, he went up to Jerry and shook his hand.  Jerry was surprised as well.

I was a little taken aback, but also grateful.  This kind older man had no idea how much his comments meant to me.  I don't go to the gym for anyone but me.  However, if people around me notice my efforts and it inspires them, that's a gift.  I would love to be the means of helping other people find the joy, success and satisfaction of living a healthy lifestyle as I have.

I never did catch this gentleman's name...I learned that he was a Korean War Vet...a 10-year Marine Veteran, and 78 years old.  He and his wife had just celebrated 55 years of marriage and had started working-out at the gym 3 or 4 days ago.  He was absolutely delightful.  I would love to see him again and introduce him to Kevin.  Whether or not I get that chance, he absolutely made my day with six little words:  "I am SO proud of you!"