Don't Discount Good
While I believe the focus on becoming better is vital to our eternal progression, I think at times it can become harmful in discrediting the people we are and the good things we do each day. In both the church and work environments, I have been in meetings where some version of good/better/best is discussed. For those unfamiliar with this thought process, essentially, decisions are broken out and ranked against each other in order to determine which is the best option all the way down to a "good" option. People use this often in the business world as a way to drive efficiency in their company.
I have found that while this process can be effective in organizing priorities for a company, the same should not be used in how we view our relationship with God. After all, "every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." (The Book of Mormon, Moroni 7:13)
Every thing. God does not rank our righteous endeavors in the good/better/best framework, so why do we at times discount what we think to be "just" good? Let me give you an example. A few months ago I was visiting a Sunday school class when a question was asked about what would being lukewarm in the gospel look like? I was saddened by the question and responses that followed. They were taking things that inviteth and enticeth to do good, love God, and serve him and pinning them against one another. They were discounting good.
For sake of keeping this short, I will focus on just one of the responses. "How about renewing your temple recommend after a long time just so you can attend the sealing of a family member?" This is where I jumped in and shared the following thought. Can you imagine how much joy was in heaven to see that individual take the steps needed to renew their recommend and be in the temple? Think about how happy the family members felt seeing their loved one there. Most of all, imagine the overwhelming peace felt by the individual who took those steps, regardless of their reason for doing so. God doesn't discount good, so why should we?
Instead, celebrate it!
I proudly take after my grandpa in not seeing the glass half empty. Neither does he see it half full. He chooses to see a glass overflowing with sparkling water. His positivity on life is palpable and everyone that knows him can feel how much belief he has in them, always. So should we see every single thing that invites us to do good, to love God, and to serve him. Choosing to celebrate the good each day instead of discounting it fills our glass. It allows us to discover the belief that God has in us, shows us a greater sense of worth, and will naturally lead to our progression.
My wife does this amazing thing with our daughter each night to help her remember how valued she is. She has her say the following positive affirmations: I am brave, I am smart, I am strong, I am kind, I am Coco! Nothing brings more joy to my life than seeing her say these things, a smile beaming on her face, and arms raised to the air when wrapping up with I am Coco! In a world that beats us up enough, we need not beat ourselves up more. Let us celebrate the good we are able to muster up each day and not discount it from what could have been. I can attest to the difference it makes in my life. I feel greater peace, love, and motivation to do more good. I feel empowered and am able to recognize the worth God sees in me. I see the glass overflowing with sparkling water and my relationships with others are so much better for it.
- HM