Temporal successes

January 13, 2013

Scott invited me to take a journey to the past this last week and introduce my resume to the world of expert witnesses. What a blast, I thought as I mentally reviewed academic achievements, business experiences, real estate endeavors, construction projects, 40 years in the teaching arena, and most of all opportunities to observe and be some small part in the lives of others. Then I was quickly brought to attention as my mother stood before me, hands on hips, twelve feet tall, and reminded me, “mi hijito, there is no u-haul to heaven.” In an instant I was brought, humbly to the realization that the only thing we do in this mortal life worth transporting to our eternal reward is charity – the pure love of God.

Then I saw faces; thousands of faces. Time had erased most of the names, but the faces were still burning bright as ever. I remembered James Linn, a student at Eastern Arizona College who taught me about the love of learning. I remember Justin Fairbanks, an artist/professor who taught me about continuing even after the death of a loved one. I remember Monte Smith, who will ever be my mentor in the art of living brightly without physical sight. I remember one fine young lady who had struggled through extremely trying times with an ugly divorce and the opportunity to raise three children who each had varying degrees of autism. She radiated grit, determination, and the love of God and family in her every action. And they just keep coming out of my subconscious past; mentors, friends, enemies, colleagues, family members, sailors, and strangers.

The question of the eternities; what have I done to bless the lives of these wonderful people. What am I doing now to use my talents and resources to reach out to those who are shepherded into my spirit by the Holy Ghost and Ministering angels? Two years ago I sat with my wonderful bride, Jean and recommitted to using whatever life and talents that remained to serving God. Regardless of what we do or what we share with others; we will never be “even” with God because he has given us everything and every purpose.  We are here on earth to receive our mortality, to live life to the best of our abilities, and then move forward to our eternal reward.

Not in the way of new-year’s resolutions, but through personal commitment to my sweetheart and to my God; I want to rekindle my excitement for living a life of service. I have been wandering off the course and getting bogged down in temporal things as we moved around trying to jump the financial hurdles that we encountered. I believe we have achieved what was needed and are now ready to fully recommit ourselves to the work of the Lord.  We are putting ourselves in the hands of God and asking for the blessings of heaven to be provided as we fully strive to serve our fellow beings.

What a nice ride through my experiences. Thank you, Scott, for encouraging me to have this experience.

God bless each of you as you live your lives to the very fullest.

Duane Jacobs, father, brother, cousin, uncle, and fond friend