Be Happy

What do we really know about Eve? She was formed of Adam’s rib, ate the forbidden fruit, and was the mother of Cain, Abel, Seth, and undoubtedly others. This month our book club discussed Mark Twain’s The Diary of Adam and Eve, and even though Twain’s account was amusing and speculative, it did give me a lot to think about. Thanks for choosing it, Kathy.

Since I often think of her as “Mother Eve,” I zeroed in on some quotes that demonstrate a kinship between us. One of them is, “At first I couldn’t make out what I as made for, but now I think it was to search out the secrets of this wonderful world and be happy and thank the Giver of it all of devising it.” That seems so appropriate for this time of year, and I’m going to follow my young friend Kristi’s example and come up with at least as many things I’m thankful for as there are days in the month. I think Eve would like that.

1. A warm, reliable car
2. A warm, cozy home
3. DH and his many contributions towards making our home a more beautiful place
4. John and Margie, my parents
5. Edward and Edna, my children’s grandparents
6. L.C. and Mary, maternal grandparents
7. Woodell and Beatrice, paternal grandparents
8. Cell phones
9. Carrie and her creativity
10. Rich and his devotion to his family
11. Elizabeth and her poise and grace
12. Paul and his conscientiousness
13. Amanda and her musical gifts
14. Spencer and his mission
15. Braden’s dimples
16. Brooke’s cloud of blond curls
17. Emma’s cuddly little body
18. DH’s children and grandchildren
19. The gospel of Jesus Christ
20. Friends
21. Laughter
22. My siblings and their spouses and families
23. Love, the most important force in the universe
24. Color
25. America and the opportunity to live here
26. All things Southern-yes, even grits
27. My mother’s cornbread recipe
28. The ability to read
29. Words, words, words
30. Memories…and the absolute marvel of the human brain to help us recall them.

Believe it or not, I had to take few things off of my list and combine others so that I could limit my entries to 30. What about you? What are some things that you could thank the Giver of all things for? I think Eve was right on target when, according to Twain, she said we were meant to be happy, and I feel that enumerating our bounteous blessings in this wonderful world will help us to experience more happy than sad moments.

This Moment

I went to a stake Relief Society meeting on Saturday and came away with yet another lesson from the story described in the 8th chapter of John about the woman caught in adultery. Haven’t you ever wondered where her “partner in crime” was? Our speaker related that some people think that he was actually one of the Pharisees who were her accusers.

That’s not the lesson I learned Saturday, however. What I learned was that the present moment is what’s important. What you did yesterday or ten minutes ago is not as important as what you’re doing right this moment. Christ was well aware of her lifestyle and her circumstances, but he didn’t condemn, chastise, or humiliate her. He simply told her to go and sin no more.

I don’t take that to mean that yesterday doesn't count, but I do believe that sometimes we get so caught up in past mistakes, disappointments, regrets, hurts, and sin that it blinds us to the forgiveness that is proffered at this very moment. It also blinds us to the hope and joy that can be experienced tomorrow IF we can let go, IF we can go and sin no more.

What I’ve been doing since Saturday is trying to be doubly conscientious about making the right choices from moment to moment. This moment is what counts. The Spirit, as our speaker reminded us, lives in the present. Beautiful sentiment, huh?