Sisters and Brothers –
With the new school year comes new beginnings. Some are beginning an adventure in masked-based education. Others are jumping feet first into the world of homeschooling. Still others are moving to college, jobs and new adventures.
Whatever the adventure, it is a time to reset. There are no missing assignments, no science projects in need of posterboard and no looming standardized tests … yet. What is there, though, is an opportunity to set new goals and develop better habits. This time of year can be a time of reflection after the trailers and RVs are put away and life gets back to normal.
Of course, for us, “normal” is an ironic mix of ever-changing suggestions and day-to-day unique events. Of course, life has always been made of adjusting needs and new solutions to present challenges. I remember “normal” life changing forever after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. I remember “normal” life adjusting again after the housing crisis of 2005-2006. For many of us, “normal” changes as we age, as we deal with the choices of others and as we experience various challenges of life.
But, what if a new “normal” isn’t negative?
What if our individualized new “normal” involves being more compassionate and understanding of others? What if it means being less divisive and dismissive in our interactions — even online? What if my new “normal” can include more striving to be like Jesus and less striving to be like my neighbor?
How would you feel if you took this opportunity to look at how you can improve yourself — spiritually, emotionally, physically and intellectually — and passed on the light you develop to others around you? Instead of wallowing in the mud and slinging it in all directions, we can lend a hand, dry a tear and offer a metaphorical hug.
Tomorrow, Group 3 (the end of the alphabet) will have the chance to gather, renewing covenants that allow for reflection, repentance and restoration. Others who are not able to attend with us tomorrow, please offer that same renewal through sacrament in your home. (Please reach out if you need assistance in sacrament administration.) I would plead with you to take this time to use the sacrament to its full potential. Prepare yourself with a humble heart and make commitments to be better. Then, follow up with yourself.
The beginning of the school year is also a great time to receive priesthood blessings. These blessings often provide perspective to the challenges that come with the new school and outline promises from our Heavenly Father that enable us to work through the challenges that present themselves. Again, if you need assistance with a back-to-school blessing, please reach out.
As we all independently work to better follow the Savior, I know we will have kinder, friendlier and more helpful interactions with each other — inside families and beyond.
—Bishop Bennett