DAY 186 --- AS IF

As I consider the arrival of June 9, and as I sort of forget the long list of goals I have to accomplish by then, I search for another one.  I went to my grand daughter's play last night.  As I sit here and review my night, it occurred to me that I was...  I don't know, I was just there.  So if I start thinking, preparing for our mission, then why don't I act on the "as if" principle. 

You know what that is, it states that if you want to be happy, act as if you are and you will be.  If you want to be sad and depressed, you act as if you are, then you are.  If you want to play the piano, then act as if you play it like a master.  Well, I guess it doesn't always work, especially in playing the piano, for I tried that once, and well it was a catastrophe. 

As missionaries, in many months, we will be thinking 24/7 about the Kingdom and how we can assist Father in the Kingdom.  Why can't I do that now?  Rather than consider all the pressures I have, the challenges, the thoughts that take me away from "missionary thoughts" I could use the "as if" concept.

Sunday I taught the teens in Sunday School. The lesson was  "GOD IS LOVE."  I asked them if they love even those people they do not know?  Then I challenged them to go to school the next day and look for someone who needed their love.  Perhaps someone who sits alone all the time.  Someone that doesn't have any friends.  Someone that seems angry all the time. Etc.  I challenged them to love them, to greet them with a smile, to say hello to them,  or anything else that came into their mind.

That is what being a disciple of Christ is all about isn't it?  I could have followed my own counsel last night at the play and sought out others who could have used a smile, a greeting, or something to bring them out of their lonely thoughts.

We all know what His work and Glory is.  As I begin this day, I need to do as I challenged those teens, to find someone who needs a cheery smile or just someone to say I love you.  Rather than wait six months to be called to do that, I should start practicing those thoughts and actions now, as if I had already received my call. When I purchase gas, I can talk to the neighbor pumping their gas about the weather?  I could talk to those at the grocery store.  (A few times in the past, I have purchased a Snickers, or something and just give it to the cashier.  You would not believe the shock, and smiles I get.  I need to do that more often.)  At my grand daughter's play, I could at least put a smile on my face and others will wonder what I have been up to.