The Pumpkin????

I love this analogy, especiallly when we are all thinking about Pumpkins and Goblins and such at this time of year. Every thing really does point toward the Savior!!






A Pumpkin and a Christian By Vickey Pahnke Taylor
A woman was asked by a coworker, 'What is it like to be a Christian?'The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in,and washes all the dirt off of you. Next, He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'
Although this is, of course, a very simplified approach, we can see the similarities in our development as a follower of Christ.


1. Picking us from the patch and washing off the dirt.Through the Atonement, we are blessed to be cleansed and brought into the fold. When we determine to follow the Good Shepherd and this cleansing takes place, we learn not only to turn from sin, but to shake off the remnants of it and move forward. This gift is one we use daily, all the rest of our days. It is an amazingly freeing process! Basics of goodness bless us to remember who we are and increase our desire to live within the boundaries of His laws, safely away from the “patch” where worldly things glare.


2. Removing the seeds of dark traits.The scooping out of the negative characteristics is a necessary part of our growth, in order to become like Christ. Removing the dark to make way for more light is not an easy process. In fact, like Elder Neal A. Maxwell once taught, “The enlarging of the soul requires not only some remodeling, but some excavating. Hypocrisy, guile, and other imbedded traits do not go gladly or easily.” (“Endure It Well”, Ensign, May 1990.) Through this excavation process, we emerge as a new being, growing closer and closer to the goal of enjoying a mighty change of heart with “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” (Mosiah 5:2).


3. Carving a smiling face and placing His light within.President N. Eldon Tanner once said, “All truth is discerned through the Spirit of Truth or the Light of Christ.” (Ensign, November 1977, p.50.) The more truth we learn, the better we feel, because “The key to happiness is to get the Spirit and keep it.” (President Marion G. Romney, General Conference, October 1961, p. 61.) The Lord wants us to be happy. Genuine smiles accompany all His followers who strive to keep that light, grow it, and live it.


4. Shining for all to see.Others often want to know more about our religion – about Christ- because they know us. They notice the difference when we are filled with joy and light. As a real-life example, we may have more real impact on other folks than books they read, programs they attend, or words we share. They feel and respond to us because they see us acting on what we know to be right. That, it seems to me, is partly why President David O. McKay- when presented the song “I Am A Child of God” - changed the sentence “Teach me all that I must know” to “Teach me all that I must do.”As “doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22), we become better followers of Christ. What a blessing! Because of His great love for us, we can become clean, work to remove the darkness from within us, replace that darkness with His pure light, and shine for all the world to see. Through this process, we gain a better understanding of what it means to be a Christian!
Return to Top of Article
Click here to sign up for Meridian's FREE

Great Family Home Evening!!!

The Life of Another, inspires!!

I had a little bit of time today and I chose to watch Oprah, whom I rarely watch! But I read the Nienie blogger and found she was gong to be on Oprah's show today! It was moving. In fact, so much so, it moved me to tears. Lara has followed her and she her for quite some time. Because Lara lived in Cedar she was so painfully aware of this plane accident that occurred there, and since then I have looked occasionally at NieNie's blog. I have found a delightful, interesting, moving person there with an ability to teach us all important lessons without knowing her or her even speaking a word.

So as I watched today.

I noticed her beautiful eyes, the spirit in her soul through them. I could see through to her heart! She is so inspiring!

You know, it's the eyes that tell us about us. It is the window to our soul, our feelings, our thoughts. She is so beautiful, even with all of those scars.

So many of us, do not have much to complain about, not like her. But she doesn't. I am so sure, she has times of discouragement, of pain, of impatience. But I believe that the Savior has carried her through and she has felt it keenly !! And because of the experience she had in her coma, that she could choose to stay or go back to Father, that her testimony of the Savior was engraven upon her heart forever! What a testimony of His reality!!

I loved this story and I must say I am so grateful for the life I have and have had. I am so grateful I was given four beautiful children to raise, to LOVE, and to go along the pathway of life with! They are all extraordinary, weaknesses and strengths. Just as this NieNie expressed ever so humbly.
I love/loved being a mom, a ma, a mamah, a gramma, a daughter, a sister, a wife! There is nothing better. I gave myself, imperfections and all to this calling and graciously thank my Father for this opportunity for growth and for refinement! Even though I have a long way to go, LOL!
My children will surely tell you that!!
Weaknesses are hard to overcome, but they will take us to heaven if we allow it!

Thank you Stephanie for your life, your example!!

Hugs and Kisses!!

( Woops, I mean the accident was in Mesa, Arizona, sorry guys)

Forgotten appreciation!!

I just suddenly realized that so many of Lara's readers/friends hopped over to my blog on my birthday and I need to thank you wonderful women for including me im her and your lives!! You all have touched my life too in reading what you have to say to Lara. Good, good women! Daughters of the covenant, through thick and thin. Through the ups and downs of life!! YOur funny, positive, and real comments make it easier to do the things we do!! Love to you all, kiss kiss, hug hug!!

Again, I am so sorry I didn't give you the appropriate appreciation back months ago!