Allowing Others to Change

I love how in my church the members are considered the "experts." Maybe experts isn't really the right word, but it works, I think, because when I say experts I mean that it's not trained clerical leaders that we hear from during our worship services, but regular members. We all have the chance to share what we have learned about the gospel, we all have the chance to teach others.

Today I learned a very important lesson that I have been pondering since I heard it. The Sister who spoke shared an story where she had experiences that helped her to become a different person. She had changed and she was so grateful her family gave her the greatest give they could ever give by allowing her to change, and accepting that change.

"The Past Must NEVER Be Allowed to Hold the Future HOSTAGE." 

- Music and the Spoken Word 12/29/13

How often do we hold others to their "past selves." We come to know people, others come to know us and although in this life we are meant to learn from our experiences we expect people to stay the same.

We expect our little brother to always be lazy. Our grandma to always be judgmental. Our cousin to be mean. Maybe we even expect ourselves to always be the same. We are genuinely shocked when they act out of the norm. And instead of embracing and loving them for that change how often do we harm by reacting negatively and holding them to their old ways.

As I ponder this I wonder if maybe this could be a reason I am afraid to change, or feel like I am unable to change. I think I am afraid that those I care about and love won't accept the "new me."

This one lesson today has brought new meaning to the statement:

We shouldn't be afraid to make those changes we know we need to make just because we are afraid that the change won't be accepted.

I'm grateful for these lessons I can learn. For this new viewpoint because I know I'm going to make a better effort to encourage and accept those around me for the changes they are trying to make!