But I didn't chicken out and with only a few hiccups, I was able to get there, enjoy my temple worship, and get back to my family.
While riding the train there and back, I was listening to April General Conference. This is the best thing about living so far from the temple. Peaceful power-packed travel time. As I listened to the talks, these two pieces of two great talks jumped out at me. It was almost as if the words were in bold as they went into my ears. Does that make any sense?
First, from Pres. Uchtdorf:
It has been my experience that some of the most powerful promptings we receive are not only for our own benefit but also for the benefit of others. If we are thinking only of ourselves, we may miss some of the most powerful spiritual experiences and profound revelations of our lives.
Then, from Sister Allred:
As we increase our own level of self-reliance, we increase our ability to help and serve others the way the Savior did. We follow the Savior’s example when we minister to the needy, the sick, and the suffering. When love becomes the guiding principle in our care for others, our service to them becomes the gospel in action. It is the gospel in its finest moment. It is pure religion.
Think about these two for a minute. One says we can't think only of ourselves and the other says we have to start with self-reliance. That doesn't mean the two statements are contradictory. Just that we have to think of ourselves for the purpose of helping others. I've been thinking about this balance a lot for months--caring for me so I can care for them. I think I will continue to work on it for years.
