Relationships are Gifts

This week I pondered about relationships, and the Spirit taught me a new way of looking at them (my HWN this week)…

A relationship is a gift — an ongoing gift of ourselves. Relationships can’t be earned or deserved, they can only be given and received. For example, when I take a girl on a date, I’m giving her a gift of my time and presence. When she says yes and comes she’s receiving my gift by giving me a gift of her time and presence. A relationship can only work if both are giving of themselves, and that’s how they receive the other person :)

This reminds me of the theme of my blog in the first place: Heaven’s White Noise. The idea came from this scripture:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelations 3:20)

I can have a relationship with Christ when I allow him into my life (sup with Him) as He allows me into His (sups with me) :) It doesn’t work only one way! Fortunately, Christ has already chosen to accept my gift, and He’s eternally giving of Himself to me. It’s my agency that allows the relationship to happen!


And here are some highlights of the week… I went on a hike up Rock Canyon with my friend Carlie on Tuesday:

I got to help my cousin Kyler pack for his mission and say goodbye the night before he went into the MTC :) Here’s a song he sang with his brother Shawn before leaving:

On Wednesday some coworkers and I prepared a surprise for our boss after his 2-week vacation :) Welcome back Kevin!

My mom also got to town on Wednesday, and I got to see my uncle Tom and his family, many of which I hadn’t seen for three years (due to his time as a mission president in Uruguay). I didn’t get any pictures on Wednesday, but I did when I went out to lunch on Thursday with my mom, sister and some cousins.

Dinner with family

On Saturday, Paul and I did some recording with my cousin Shawn :) (by the way, if you haven’t already, check out our audiovisual recording company website)

recording with Shawn

And tonight I had dinner with my mom, sister, Aunt Katie, and Katie’s parents :) Katie showed me the pictures in her wedding album, and I was in a couple of them!

Josh and Zach with Katie and Randy

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