Dear Friends,
A couple of weeks ago, I experienced a particularly hectic day—I had been very busy at work and left so late that it
was well after dark when I arrived home tired and hungry and a little on the cranky side. We were expecting houseguests the
following week, and I had a list a mile long of things that “needed” to be done before they arrived. Naturally, it was critical that
all the baseboards be wiped down and the top of the refrigerator be dust-free, so I quickly ate a bowl of cold cereal for dinner
and went to work.
While I was cleaning, my daughter called. In the spirit of helping me keep my fitness goals, she asked if I wanted to
meet her at the gym at 5:30 the next morning. I tried to be cheerful and optimistic as I responded in my usual noncommittal
way—after all, she had been inviting me regularly for an entire month without success.
Feeling a pang of guilt the next morning for having missed yet another workout, I began to berate myself in earnest.
Needless to say, that didn’t get my day off to a very good start. A few hours later, I was working at my desk when my
daughter called to say hello. When she asked what I was doing, I told her I was getting ready to write my catalog letter. She
jokingly replied, “You should write about how you can do hard things, like going to the gym at 5:30 a.m.” We both laughed good-naturedly, and I committed
to meet her Saturday morning for the 9:15 class.
I have thought of this conversation often, particularly about the idea of being able to do hard things—which, from time to time, can feel like most things. In moments
like this, it is easy to feel discouraged, thinking I will never be able to do enough or to be enough regardless of how fast I go or how hard I try.
These loving and wise prophetic words of President Gordon B. Hinckley have served as a good reminder to me over the years: “I do not ask that you reach beyond your
capacity. Please don’t nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know
how, and the Lord will accept your effort.”
While applying the principles of these words can seem difficult at times, there is tremendous power and peace that come from not only believing, but also accepting
that our best is good enough. Trusting the Lord and His plans for us, we can take courage from the bold words of Elder Richard G. Scott: “Our Heavenly Father did not put us
on earth to fail but to succeed gloriously.” I love that statement!
As the chaotic excitement of the season descends, bringing with it all there is to do as you celebrate the many dear and happy traditions of the Christmas season, may
you succeed gloriously in remembering the Lord will accept your offer. I hope your heart may also be filled with the joy made possible for each of us by the Savior of all
mankind—He whose birth we celebrate and whose life we hope to emulate.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas,
Susan Condie
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