I have been trying to keep up on my reading but life has happened.There was sick kids,Thanksgiving,going to the hospital with baby and trying to keep up with my blog.The main idea behind this challenge was to make sure I was doing the little things first.Reading my scriptures,paying,going to church.Also as part of my 40 day challenge I wanted to read 21 days closer to Christ by Emily Freeman.She talks about being aware of what we fill our nets with and what can be holding you back from knowing Jesus better.I have been thinking about this all day.
What are nets for?They catch things like fish or food.They are essentially a trap.So if I look at my day like I am throwing a net into the water.What would I catch.What would be my catch of the day?It should be prayer, scriptures,and time devoted to serving.This could be friends family or time devoted to God.If I cast my net everyday I might not catch those big fish but other things swimming around in my day that have caught my attention and time.
["Each day we decide what we will do and what we will not do, among myriad alternatives. When we choose to obey the commandments cheerfully as our first priority, neither murmuring about nor measuring the things He commands, we become the handmaids of the Lord and fishers of men and cast our nets on the right side of our own ships. We simply go and do the things the Lord has commanded, even when we are weary, trusting that He will help us to do exactly as He asks. 14 As we do so, the Lord helps our unbelief, and our faith becomes powerful, vibrant, and unshakable.
"No matter who we are or where we live, there is much about our daily lives that is routine and repetitive. As we go about this dailiness, we must be deliberate about doing the things that matter most. These must-do things include making room first for the minimum daily requirements of faithful behavior: true obedience, humble prayer, serious scripture study, and selfless service to others. No other daily vitamins strengthen the muscles of our faith as fast as these actions. We also must remember that genuine fasting fosters strong faith. This is especially important as we faithfully seek to fix deeply embedded character flaws which go “not out but by prayer and fasting.” (General Conference October 2001 By L. Whitney Clayton)]
In order to choose those things first we must listen to the Lord and cast our net where he tells us.We will catch the right and most important things.For some of us he may ask us to leave our nets because they are filled with only worldly desires pursuits.Whatever he asks we must be obedient.We must find a balance and above all choose the better part;the spiritual part.
["Sometimes we feel that the busier we are, the more important we are—as though our busyness defines our worth. Brothers and sisters, we can spend a lifetime whirling about at a feverish pace, checking off list after list of things that in the end really don’t matter.
That we do a lot may not be so important. That we focus the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls on those things of eternal significance—that is essential.
As the clatter and clamor of life bustle about us, we hear shouting to “come here” and to “go there.” In the midst of the noise and seductive voices that compete for our time and interest, a solitary figure stands on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, calling quietly to us, “Follow me.”(Ensign May 2002 By Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin) ]
The easiest way to fill our nets with the intent of coming closer to Christ is to not procrastinate and set goals and then do.Plan and then take action!My goal is to wake up earlier to have time to read with no distractions.
"Do not doubt your abilities. Do not delay your worthy impressions. With God’s help, you cannot fail. He will give you the courage to participate in meaningful change and purposeful living. We need to repent, straightway, and trust in His reality and capacity to assist us in knowing the abundant life. He will help us learn to be sensitive to our own needs and to those of others. Those who fear, procrastinate. Those who change for the better show progress straightway and become wiser and stronger. We need to develop the courage to straightway take the first step. We need to remember that children learn to walk only because someone encourages them to take the first step.
May we launch straightway toward setting goals that are gospel oriented, knowing that if we use the talents that are ours—that if we help others, strive for peace, avoid being overly sensitive or overly critical—strength upon strength will be added unto our own abilities and we will move straightway toward greater growth, happiness, and eternal joys. Our Master and Savior invites us to straightway embrace His truths and enjoy the warmth of His constant companionship."(General Conference April 1983By Marvin J. Ashton)
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