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“Out
of Our Hearts We Paid the Cost”
By Steve and Claudia Goodman
In
the normal course of events, most of us try on a daily basis
to “let our light so shine” and keep our lives in balance
with the teachings of the gospel. In this way we bless others
and feel the joy of living up to our potential. We know the
benefits of living the Lord’s law of health, of studying the
word of God daily, and of keeping our homes and lives organized
and positive. We rejoice in doing all we can to magnify our
stewardships.
However,
for each of us there are times when we must show just how
much we are willing to pay for the things that mean most to
us. The choice to sacrifice a Saturday night movie so that
we can be prepared for an early church service the following
morning might be challenging yet rewarding, but what about
the dilemma of working with a rebellious child over the years,
or caring for a child with Down syndrome for a lifetime?
Some things we pay for in diligence, in magnifying our talents,
and in self-improvement. Others we pay for with our health,
our reputation, maybe even our lives.
President
Spencer W. Kimball said, “My life is like my shoes—to be worn
out in service.” (Petrea Kelly, “Spencer W. Kimball: He Did Not Give Up,” Tambuli, Mar. 1994, p. 26.) And Joseph
Smith’s great-granddaughter Lorena Normandeau
wrote, “Into our arms thou gave us children. Out of our hearts
we paid the cost.” Sometimes that cost is very real—when
our health is compromised and our opportunities are scattered.
We may not look so impressive to the world at that point,
but what are our actions saying? Perhaps
that we love someone else more than life itself.
Our
Savior Jesus Christ said, “Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John
15:13) In a very real sense His body was bruised and marred
for us. His heart was broken, and in agony He bled from every
pore.
So
when we hit those times that we feel like an old pair of shoes
worn out in service, with dark circles under our eyes because
we sat up night after night with a sick child, or flabby muscles
and varicose veins because of the children we have born, or
poverty because of the pressures of providing for a family,
may we pause to remember the price we are paying and count
the cost.
And
at this Easter season, may our hearts expand and begin to comprehend
all that our Savior paid when His body was literally bruised and
broken to pay for each one of us. “Into our arms
thou gavest children. Our
of our hearts we paid the cost.” May we be equal to the
sacrifices required of us, and may our hearts always be open to
pay the cost of love.
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© 2005 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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