Sunday thoughts

I went visiting teaching this week, and it was my turn to give the lesson.

I opened up the Ensign and saw the title of January's lesson: "Becoming Self-Reliant." Yawn. I thought it was going to be about food storage and savings, things I need to be better about doing.

I don't know why I would think the VT message wouldn't be good -- it always, always is. And this one gave me a whole new vision of self-reliance.

"How do we become self-reliant? ... through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being." -- Julie B. Beck

Ohhhhh.

"Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others. It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance." -- Robert D. Hales

Double ohhhhh.

I just love the idea that self-reliance is a means to an end, a way for us to be free to provide selfless service, the way our Savior would do. And that any time we improve ourselves, in any way, we are doing more to reach that ultimate goal. It's so much more than food storage.