Nancy Baird's Message

     One of the young returned  missionaries from our mission in Puerto Rico is now in construction management in one of the southern states  He recently got his first big construction job for which, as manager,  he was completely responsible. He was very nervous and anxious to do well, and had begun praying that he would be successful, when it occurred to him that the success of his project was extremely dependant on other people - his sub-contractors, his workmen, his suppliers. 

    So Elder Huff started praying for his sub-contractors, and his workmen, and his suppliers, and for their tools and equipment and vehicles, and for their families and their children. He prayed every day, night and morning, for their homes, their happiness, their health and hopes and dreams.

     His job was completed successfully in 61 days, breaking his company's record.  He got a lot of accolades and recognition.  He even got a promotion. But Elder Kevin Huff, of South Carolina, knew where his success came from.

     Jesus said to his disciples:  "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."  (Matthew 10:39).

     In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  (Matthew 6:33).

    When Kevin turned from praying for himself, he was helped more than he could measure.

    To Nicodemus, a Pharisee, Jesus described the wind (or Spirit) as blowing "where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."  (John 3:8).
 
    It is sometimes difficult to know how the Spirit works, and how to make the best choices in our lives. To Nicodemus, and to his disciples, Jesus gave the secret of how to live on this earth with joy and to eventually return to God: if we seek the Kingdom of God first, all else will follow.  If we "lose" our lives for his sake, we will find them.




                                                                                                                    Nancy Baird