may we no more, our powers abuse

"May we no more our powers abuse, but ways of truth and goodness choose; our God is pleased when we improve His grace and seek His perfect love." -this hymn

"We can't do wrong by doing right and we can't do right by doing wrong." -Pres. Monson

"Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live and sunshine forever impart.  let us oft speak kind words to each other; kind words are sweet tones of the heart." -this hymn

"I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind;

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind." -from THIS TALK

Something that I have observed often(in myself and others) is justification for unkindness.  "he deserved it.",  "they had it coming", "i couldn't help myself" "they just bug me!" -as if that was a good excuse for not controlling myself. or, "what happens behind closed doors is my business" or "everyone yells" or "i can say/do whatever i want, it's a free country" and etc.

What we do matters.  Our actions are a result of our thoughts.  So, if our thoughts are justifying bad behavior, then we need to change our thoughts.

"Freedom and reason make us men; take these away, what are we then?  Mere animals, and just as well the beasts may think of heaven or hell." -this hymn

"Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Such choices are made with trust in things that are believed and when acted upon are confirmed.

You cannot be passive in life, or in time the natural man will undermine your efforts to live worthily. You become what you do and what you think about. Lack of character leads one under pressure to satisfy appetite or seek personal gain. You cannot successfully bolster a weak character with the cloak of pretense." -Elder Scott

-sometimes that "appetite" is wanting to say something we know will hurt someone's feelings and will ease our pent up emotions.  i think i often think of trials as huge things and often forget that trials are in my day to day.  -kids make me mad and so i yell and then they make me mad and i yell again.  the end...i wish. ;)

one thing that often blows me away/humbles me, is the fact that i can make a promise to my Father in Heaven and then in that same breath, ask Him to help me keep it.  i SO wish i could do it on my own.  yet, from the hymn we sang today, "our God is pleased when we improve His grace and seek His perfect love."  He wants us to be powerful through His grace and perfect love.  He amazes me.

well, anyway, it goes without saying that our words and deeds affect our marriages.  here is a great talk on words from dear Elder Holland for this lovely Sunday night.

cheers to "eternal progression, not instant perfection". -quote from a friends Grandpa. :)

let's choose goodness, ask for help that we may, no more our powers abuse, and carry on. :)