Invitations

There's been a lot of discussion in our ward lately about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've loved it--I get so complacent with my sharing because I live in a place which I assume is mostly full of people who already are members or who know about the gospel and aren't interested. And yet... so many are reaching out for that something which will satisfy the soul, and are hungering. That includes members of my own family, my own self, my neighbors, random people at the grocery store/park/etc, people I've met traveling, and many, many others that I have met across the years and by whom I may no longer live, but with whom I still keep in touch.

We've had many people mention this book by Clayton Christensen which I bought like 2 years ago and haven't read yet. Have you read it? I'm going to read it in September. I need a kick in the pants. I forget often that the field is white.

So... but... it's scary, right? And people have heard enough, right? Well. That's the thing. I've learned lately that as I make a plan and make a concentrated effort to pray for opportunities to share the gospel, my mind and heart are more attuned to those opportunities that already present themselves as part of my everyday living. That couple I chat with casually at the park... that mom in the diaper aisle at Target... that friend whose testimony is fragile right now and I haven't been sure how to help... the words will come as I pray for them. It is pretty cool. I haven't had any mind-blowing experiences so far, but I've had some really, really nice ones, and I'm glad for the invitation to pray for eyes to see those opportunities which present themselves.

Which brings me to the place where I'm residing with this now: our family mission plan is mostly to extend invitations to folks. Invite them over for dinner and Family Home Evening. Invite someone to a church activity. Invite a friend to a temple open house or to church. Invite someone to feel the love of the Savior by extending that love to them. There are so many ways to share the beauty of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and I'm excited to act more upon the ways in which I can fulfill my covenant to share His love and truth with those around me.

One of my favorite scriptures: "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life" (3 Nephi 5:13). I think I've erroneously assumed this applied to me wholly while I was a full-time missionary, and that I was sortof released from that when I was released as a missionary. I am starting to see how my calling to declare His word--in my home, in my words, in my actions--is not just a temporary thing. But it's not a scary or monumental, thing, either; I just get to invite people into my life, and to see the source of my joy because it's just a part of me and I talk about it easily, like I talk about other things I love.

This was a wordy post with no photos! But there you have the summation of what's been on my mind lately. Mostly. Here's a photo of a shirt I want to wear every day these days, since I get SO many stares at the belly lately. Oh my goodness I want this shirt so bad. So funny.

photo from amazon.com

Aaaaaanyway. "Go forth with faith to tell the world the joy of families....!" 

And so it is. As Christ becomes the center of our lives, our joy is amplified, and sharing that joy becomes a natural extension of our lives, as simple and laundry-filled as they may be. :)