I enjoy having long talks with loved ones. It's a wonderful way for us to connect, share experiences and perspectives, and to “think out loud” – to talk through and crystallize thoughts that have been bouncing around in our brains but haven't quite fully formed yet.

Lately I've been having long talks with my son. These are usually about technology and music, but more recently, they are also about faith.

One night last week we stayed up way too late talking and somehow the subject turned to missionary service, as he is getting ready to serve as a missionary for our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). As young as age 18, young men and women can apply to serve as missionaries. For young men it is expected that they do so, if able. For young women it is considered optional.

Things have changed quite a bit in the more than 23 years years since I returned from two-year missionary service in Brazil. But I shared with him some of my experiences and perspectives that I feel are timeless.

I told him that first and foremost, missionary work is not about trying to convince people to join our church. It's about helping people to become converted to Jesus Christ. And we do that by learning to see people as God sees them and love them as He loves them. We meet them where they are, teach them the things that Christ taught, show them His love through serving and ministering to them, and help them to draw closer to Him in whatever way they can.

I will miss these talks when he finally leaves the nest.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 150) #faith #Lent #Christianity

I forgot to write a post yesterday. My first church meeting started at 9am and between all the church meetings, phone calls with family, and meals somewhere in there, I wasn't free until about 8pm. Add Daylight Saving Time starting and having to take allergy medicine that makes me sleepy on top of all of that and I was pretty wiped out at the end of the day.

But rather than feeling weighed down by it all as I have most Sundays for the past several months, I felt light. I felt at peace.

Rather than being frustrated and overwhelmed at the thought of everything I should be doing but am not doing or doing well, I felt like my best efforts, however meager, are still making a difference and are acceptable to God.

Rather than feeling ashamed and hypocritical that I still have questions and doubts, I knew that I was not the only one, that God does not love us any less.

I chatted with my bishop for a few minutes in between meetings.

“You seem different. You seem better,” he said.

“I am,” I replied. “I've had some spiritual experiences this week that have reaffirmed some things for me and helped me recalibrate my perspective. I still have questions, but I know I'm going to be ok.”

It's as if the sun is starting to rise on my spirit after a long, dark night. And while I know that there will be more dark nights in my life, I also know that I'm never alone.

#100DaysToOffload (No. 149) #faith #lent #Christianity