DAY 187 -- Living What We Know

I just received word from a dear brother and sister who just returned from their mission.  Bonnie and I saw them off and wished at that time that we were going.  She responded with things I already knew, but had to be reminded once again.  She said that they were not able to go when they were prepared and had to wait for a time before they could go on their mission.  Now that they returned, she said that they  had a wonderful mission and if they would have went out when they thought they wanted to go, they would not have had the same experiences, and perhaps might not have gone to the same mission.

Then she reminded me that "Lean not to thine own understanding"  "Trust in the Lord"  and on and on.  I know these things and I would preach them to others.  However, I needed to be reminded of them to exercise my faith in Father knowing His timetable is best for us.  2 Nephi 2:24, "..but all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things."  I know there are reasons, I just have to place my  hand in His and be patient.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am certainly not a patient person.  Don't know if I will ever learn that lesson.

Now, here is another lesson I learned from this good sister.  We all know the truth.  We all know the teachings of the brethren, the prophets, etc.  We read about these principles of truth all the time.  But then we forget them, or we just don't have reason to apply them to ourselves.  I know that Father in in charge and it is His timing that dictates answers to prayers.  I even preach that to the High Priests, and the young kids when I teach them.  They why can't I incorporate it into my own life?

Why do I have to be reminded that He is in charge and knows so much more than I?  Why do I have to be reminded that all these things gain me experience and will be for my own good?  Why do I continue to struggle with patience?  I know the gospel, but often do not live what I know.  Why?  Am I am lazy, slow-to-remember type of guy?  If I wasn't careful it could make me totally upset with my memory.  If I wasn't careful I could question if I really know all those things. 

It is interesting that most of us suffer from this same forgetfulness, do we not?  Don't we always have to be reminded of certain principles of the gospel and then be encouraged to live them?  I guess that is part of mortality, being imperfect and ignorant of certain principles.  Or at least not as proficient at living what we know...   It is interesting that this keeps recurring in my life, not living what I know, what I preach to others.  Does this make any difference in my preparation for my mission?  I guess I just need to live what I know better.