Something to think about

A few weeks ago, a very dear friend came over and talked to me and Brad about the troubles in the world and whether or not we were prepared spiritually and physically to deal with these problems. During our conversation, we talked about the parable of the Sower; it is found in the New Testament in Matthew 13:18-30:

18 ¶Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

24 ¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

 

Since the conversation with our friend, I have reflected many times on one question: Am I part of the wheat or am I part of the tares? And to be honest, I don't know. Of course, I hope that I am part of the wheat but what if I'm not? This question has me pondering over my own life and how I can become a better person, a better member, a better follower of Christ. This is the question that I asked the boys. And it is a question we should each ask ourselves. This is what Jonah refers to in his letter. He shed a few tears over this with us when we skyped with him on Sunday. And then he challenged each of us to prepare physically and spiritually, to become part of the wheat.

I am a lucky mom indeed to have good children. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to speak with and see the boys! It was the best mother's day ever!

I hope that in the end, when we meet Heavenly Father, that we will meet Him with confidence, knowing that we are clean and pure and worthy to be with Him again. Knowing that we are part of the wheat in the harvest.

Love,
Jana

The following is a link to the video of the parable above.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-01-029-parable-of-the-sower?category=bible-videos-the-life-of-jesus-christ&lang=eng