I love church! We got to actually go today. It was the second time since COVID. Brother Hansen (bishopric member) spoke about obedience. He told of a family in Ecuador who had 10 children, but were completely committed to the Lord. They sold everything they had so they could take their family to the temple. They had no idea what they would do when they returned from their trip or how they would do it, but they knew the Lord and His gospel needed to be number one in their lives, and so they made those sacrifices to make it that way. The Lord took care of that family and blessed them immensely.
It made me think of how President Nelson said that the Lord loves effort. He does. He also loves sacrifice, sacrifices of any size. That particular family made a huge sacrifice. We don’t always need to do that. Sometimes our sacrifices are on a much smaller scale. I talked with my kids about the sacrifices we make as a family and as individuals. They don’t play video games on Sunday. That is a sacrifice for my kids. The Lord loves it. He doesn’t care about video games necessarily, but that my kids are willing to sacrifice anything to show their love for Him. All sacrifice is acceptable to the Lord.
As I looked around the chapel today and saw all of the masked faces, I thought about the sacrifice that obedience is sometimes. We’ve been asked to wear face masks in public from our religious leaders. I hate wearing those stupid things. It is such an inconvenience, and I’m pretty sure they mess my lungs and skin up, and I’m certain I’m not the only one who feels that way. But … is it a sacrifice I can make to show my obedience to the Lord? Yep. I trust that He knows much more than I know, and so I can mask up to go out.
The Lord loves effort. He loves sacrifice. Sometimes it can feel like we are sacrificing so much and sometimes it can feel like there isn’t much sacrifice required of us right now. I think in those times, when we don’t feel like sacrifice is really required, I think we should find a way to sacrifice. I think we step our game up when we do. Make it happen. Don’t wait for it to be required. Show the Lord you love Him always through effort and sacrifice. It doesn’t need to be in big ways, letting the Lord know you love Him and are committed to Him can be done in little personal ways, something that is just between you and Him. He will love anything you can give.
Forever grateful for a Father in Heaven who rejoices over any and all strivings I can make to be closer to Him.
