2020 Vision

Every New Year gives us an opportunity to reflect upon and learn from the past and to look ahead and plan for the future. It wasn’t long ago that 2020 sounded so futuristic, now we are there! A New Year, a New Decade and hopefully one with 2020 Vision! ( pun intended.)
Here in Ukraine, our mission district did something that was very symbolic and meaningful to us. Our district leader read Alma 24 from the Book of Mormon. You know the story. The converted Lamanites buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, as a sign of their repentance and covenanted   With an oath to God, that they would never take them up again. This they did in an effort to stay clean before God. After reviewing this passage of scripture he asked us-“Is there anything in your past that you should bury and leave in 2019?” We then wrote those things we wished to leave in 2019 on a piece of paper containing the image of a sword ( some of us needed several papers) and with a shovel in hand, walked them to their final resting place where we dug a hole and buried them in the ground. We left them in 2019, never to take them up again!
So we ask- Is there anything in your life you should leave in the past? You might consider our approach. Once buried and repented of, we can now look forward, hopefully, with 2020 vision!
I have worn glasses since I was in 1st or 2nd grade. With glasses ( corrective lenses) I can have the 2020 Vision we all desire.  This too has a spiritual equivalent ( which is no doubt clear to you.)
Without my glasses my vision is blurred but with my glasses I can see clearly.
The scriptures remind us that when we rebel against God (Ezekiel 12:2 ) we “ have eyes to see and see not; they have ears to hear and hear not.”  I have experienced this personally.  Since my accident- I have ears to hear but hear not and eyes to see ( but without my glasses) I see not.
This condition of Spiritual Deafness and Spiritual Blindness can easily overcome us IF we allow sin or indifference to dominate our lives. Even IF we are trying our best to keep God’s commandments and to live the best we can, this Spiritual Blindness and Deafness can still be our state IF we lose focus.  Are you familiar with the type of art that has a hidden picture within a pattern? There is more than 1st meets the eye. As you concentrate and focus on the picture, the dolphins or eagles etc. finally are there!  You are excited to finally see this clear picture of reality that you couldn’t see at 1st but was there all along! We pray that as you look forward this New Year and plan your life that you will do it with 2020 Vision!
The REAL  picture that is before you contains among others, the following truths even though you may not see them at 1st.
1- You are a choice Son or Daughter of a living Heavenly Father who loves you!
2- Jesus Christ atoned for your sins. (Repent and let Him carry your burdens- it’s that simple.)
3- You come from a Nobel lineage of champions. Many have gone before successfully navigating life and with God’s help- you can too!
4- Your life matters! There are more who love you and pray for you than you may realize.
5- The Book of Mormon and ALL scriptures can heal your soul. ( like any good medicine- you have to use it.)
6- Prayer works! Talk to your Heavenly Father- He wants to hear from you.
7- Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw. He was God’s prophet of the restoration.
8- God guides us today through living prophets and apostles.
9- Covenant making and Covenant keeping is God’s way of helping us become more Christ like.
10- Jesus Christ will come again. His side wins!
11-20- W E  P R A Y  F O R U! That’s 10 more,  to give you the 2020 Vision we hope you can see!)

We love you so much and Pray that your Spiritual hearing will improve and that your Spiritual vision this year will be a clear 2020!

Much love- The Grandparent Chronicles