Freedom to be different

December 8, 2013

 Good Christmas season to each of you. Eons ago I was a small child about Cason and Olivia’s age ( Dave and Susan’s four-year old twins).  They are as different as two twins can be. First, Olivia is very thoughtful, quiet, and shy. Cason on the other hand is just plain rowdy; playing hard and generally running until he drops. What makes us different? Simple; we are the spirit children of Heavenly Father and each of us came to earth with a unique personality and character traits – we are each as different as the snowflakes falling to the earth.

Grandmother Jacobs has been quilting for almost as long as she has been on this planet. That is one of her many gifts from God. She imparts hundreds of hours and pondering on each segment of each quilt to ensure that each is as humanly perfect for each unique recipient. In addition to children, marriages, births, and other special moments, she creates a quilt for each grandchild at the age of eight. (In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that children reach the age of accountability when they achieve their eighth birthday.) As each grandchild reached their eighth birthday, she gives them a significant portion of her heart by presenting them with a quilt that represents their uniqueness. Each child shares the colors, characters, animals, flowers, and other elements representing who they are with Grandmother Jacobs. She, in turn crafts a true miracle of art.

In addition to her quilting, homemaking, blessing my life, and generally doing all the things Heavenly father gave her the opportunity to attempt, she helps others. Right now she is working with a three – almost four-year old who just can’t quite fit the proverbial square peg in a round hole. At the ripe old age of three plus, he can read, spell, and think as someone much older, yet his social norms are way different than others his age. By assisting this child in finding his rightful position in society she is giving him a blessing many never find. While we are all different, we all have a need to be part of the big our surroundings. We need not be exactly the same as everyone else, but just as the snowflakes become part of their “society” we can contribute using our personality, our spark of heavenly influence to bless the lives of others.

 I believe as the saints living at the time of Christ that we are surrounded by gifts of the spirit beginning with God our Heavenly father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost (Comforter, or Spirit). Then, we have legions of Angels who participate in our daily lives. They prompt us to bless the lives of others as we connect with them as unique individuals. Ever wonder how you just happen to show up as a friend is seriously ill; how you find yourself calling to see how someone is you haven’t seen for ages; how your heart aches for reconciliation with a person you have been sharp with?

Wonder no more, my wonderful friends. During my teaching years I would challenge my students to look around physically, get to know those with whom they were sharing a classroom and common learning and look to their “differences” as part of their education.

May God be with us during this Christmas season as we strive to love God, Love our neighbor, and love ourselves.

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