Just finished my first day of P90X and I'm already feeling tight and sore in my shoulders and back. Sorry for the temporal statement on a spiritual blog site, but its the first thing that came to my mind.
I am grateful for the stake conference weekend. One of the speakers in conf. was Pres. Slusser's daughter in law. A couple of months ago while at a stop light in temecula, an 18 year old driver, looking down at his cell phone, hit her from behind going about 70 mph. She has broken bones, vertebrae and hasn't fully recovered yet, but the blessing of the accident was that instead of taking her two kids with her, she had decided to leave them at home, saving their lives.

She shared that one night during her rehab she had feelings of anger toward this teenager and his thoughtless act. He could have taken her children away from her. As she was sitting on her son's bed the impression came to her that if she was faithful to gospel and temple covenants she would always have her son, whether in this life or not. The impression then came to her that maybe the prompting to leave her kids at home wasn't for her, but was for the benefit of another of God's children; this young teenager. If he would have killed her children, it may have very well destroyed his earthly life. It was a profound insight.

Another realization I had this week came from my pat. blessing. I received this blessing when I was 18 years old. I've read it many times and it still helps bring insight into my life. One line from my blessing states that through much prayer and hard work I will be able to withstand the "buffetings" of satan. At one point in my life I had looked up the definition of a buffeting. It means to hit or strike repeatedly, either by a person or the wind. I never have felt that our family or I have really faced that kind of adversity.

This past week I looked up another definition. Buffet, as you know, can be pronounced, in French, "buf-ay" and mean a table set up with a lot of side dishes, from which, one serves him/herself. Suddenly, this part of my blessing made much more sense to me. I am surrounded by the buffetings of satan. There are many items in my life, laid out in front of me, as if on a buffet table, that wet my appetites and when I partake, I inevitably end up serving myself.
I am thankful for personal revelations that come to us, to help us become "more profitable servants". Whether it is intended to help us use our time more wisely, of bless the lives of family or friends, it still builds the kingdom.
love you all
dad