Dorothy Sheckels spent many years of her life trying to always be better and more useful, but
after long years of frustrating circumstance she turned herself over to God.
“Well, God, if You cannot change me, then just use me as I am.”
The idea came to her to begin embroidery for family and friends. She was then asked by someone to do a piece for the public. She first thought that she couldn’t do anything so demanding. Yet, over time she became and expert. She studied and tried, and tried some more. She learned to let God help her and accordingly she improved amazing. Not only did her skills improve, but her attitude, abilities, lifestyle and whole way of living improve.
So don’t try to do it all yourself, but Let go and Let God do it through you. “The Positive Principle Today, pg. 129
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I have found that most of the madness and frustrations come from expectations. We expect our efforts to product results, expect rewards from righteousness, expect blessings from gospel or priesthood promises, expect the fruit from our planting, and expect improvement from trying. This is only natural, but remember only God provides the fruit, at His time and way. We can provide the effort but can never force a seed to germinate. For most us the fruit is the enjoyment, for Him the process is the enjoyment because that’s how he provides His precious promises. So, don’t necessarily be stuck on being better, but on believing.
“I have learned to plow the row God has given me and let Him bring forth the fruit.” Spencer W. Kimball
“Sowing of seed is important; otherwise, there would be no harvest… but of all the work of the field, plow-work is the heaviest labor.” Put Your Hand to the Plow, Howard W. Hunter
“Now some of you as you go forward are going to meet with disappointment—perhaps many disappointments, some of them crucial. Sometimes you will wonder if God has forgotten you. Sometimes you may even wonder if He lives and where He has gone. But in these times when so many are saying God is dead and when so many are denying His existence, I think I could not leave with you a better message than this: God is aware of you individually. He knows who you are and what you are, and, furthermore, He knows what you are capable of becoming. Be not discouraged, then, if you do not get all the things you want just when you want them. Have the courage to go on and face your life and, if necessary, reverse it to bring it into harmony with His law.” Hugh B. Browns God is the Gardener
