Simple Things: Too Good to be True?

When simple things look too good to be true, consider the story found in 2 Kings, chapter 5:

A commander in the Syrian Army by the name of Naaman, was popular, intelligent, a war hero and a born leader. One day he was unexpectantly diagnosed with leprosy. There was no known cure for this disease at that time. They could only isolate the infected person so he would have no contact with anyone else and risk spreading the horrible curse on others. It was not only the end of Naaman’s social life but also the end of his military career (to say nothing of it being a painful way to die). Naaman had heard of a prophet in Israel (see: 2 Kings 5: 3-4) and although he was not a believer himself, his desperation forced him to seek out the man call Elisha.

After having gathered a large amount of money and gifts, along with a company of soldiers and attendants, he set out to visit Elisha. When he finally arrived at the tent of the prophet he was disappointed to have only a servant there to greet him. An important man like himself would rather have been greeted by the prophet. Still, the servant had a message for Naaman: “Go, wash thyself seven times in the River Jordan and thou wilt be healed.” (See: 2 Kings 5: 10.)

Naaman was outraged. 

“Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean?” (2 Kings 5: 11-12.)

Now Naaman had brought with him a large amount of money and gifts. He expected to have to pay for being cured. Indeed, if he had been asked to do some great thing, he would have done it.

What then was the problem with being asked to something so simple and so inexpensive as washing seven times in the local river? Wasn’t it worth even trying? When his own servant pointed that out to him, Naaman admitted he was wrong to have been angry and closed minded. He proceeded to the river to wash seven times as requested. To every one’s amazement, he was healed instantly.( 2 Kings 5: 13-14.)

All Naaman needed to be healed was faith in the prophet and willingness to obey his advice.

Obedience takes faith, and faith overcomes pride. It was really pride that was stopping Naaman from being obedient. It all just looked too simple – too good to be true.

How little things have changed in human nature since that day. We are often asked to do simple things by today’s prophets. And we still sometimes think the words of these men of God to be foolish or meaningless or both. Baptism, paying tithing, studying the scriptures, observing the Sabbath, sure, they help the church. But how could these simple things possibly help me? 

Yes, those things help the Church to be strong, but they are just like what Naaman finally did to be healed. These simple things will also heal and help us to be strong as well. 

Baptism is a process of covenanting with God that we will be obedient. It not only gives us purpose but also opens the door to the help and assistance God can freely offer to sustain our spiritual health and welfare. Baptism also brings with it the Gift of the Holy Ghost which sustains us with knowledge, understanding and the comfort of peace which our hearts long for. (See Mosiah 18:8–10, 13)

Tithing does not require extra money for it to be paid. It requires faith: Faith to put your money on the line and your trust in the Lord, knowing you will not be penalized for obeying him but will rather be blessed for your faith in him. You will never go short when you pay your 10% to the Lord. You may have to learn how to budget, learn how to control spending and better use the 90% (which the Lord really also owns but has allowed you to use for yourself), but you will not go without. (See Malachi 3: 8-10)

Studying the scriptures is how we come to know God. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17: 3)

Observing the Sabbath We observe the Sabbath as a sign of our obedience (Deuteronomy 5: 12-13). We renew and remember our covenant to serve him by attending and participating in his Sacrament (Luke 22:19–20). It is a break from the other 6 days of labour, where we spend our time and devotion to worldly affairs. One could become totally absorbed in those endeavours at the expense of their commitment to God if it were not for the Sabbath Day commitment. Each of these commandments are for our betterment and not his. He is already perfect. He could manage all these things without our help. But we are allowed to participate so that we may learn to become as he is by experience. 

When you ask yourself what price you would pay to get rid of your inflictions, bad habits and addictions, what is your answer? If your doctor told you that a very expensive operation and a very painful recovery would be the solution, would you sign up? Then why not consider what the Lord asks? Is it possible that pride prevents us from taking these simple steps?

We aren’t told what happened to Naaman after he was healed, but his story obviously didn’t end there. It really only began. Our life too can have a new beginning when we let go of pride and grab hold of the words and commandments of Christ. It only requires faith, knowledge and obedience.

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do.” Edward Everett Hale

– Doug Garrett

Reaching Out

I passed him waiting by his cart. “God Bless you friend,” I heard him say. 
His smile was warm, not like my heart. How easy beggars like to pray.

When I have prayed for God to hear, to help parched and withered grain,
His voice came not, nor was he near. All by itself came needed rain. 

Thrice I had prayed to see again those who I loved, long passed away.
But sick and poor were all that came. How could I have such people stay?

So I have worked with eyes down turned and gleaned alone by sweat of brow.
All which, by rights was mine, I earned! But oh, the lonely silence now.

“Your God is foreign to my eyes.” This time the old man heard my chide.
“My son, I heard each time your cries. My outstretched hand was swept aside.”

-Doug Garrett

Flue Shot Junkie

Breathes there a man with soul so dead, who never to himself had said,
“Why should I to the doctor go, to have him on my arm bestow
Those singular and “iffy” shots, he says protects me from the trots?”

Oh, fickle, random parasite, which fain would keep us up at night,
Perchance confine us to our beds while throbbing curses ache our heads.
Still worse, I hear it can become Pneumococcus Bacterium.

This Russian roulette guessing game, has had its cruel intended aim.
I watch lest one cough becomes two. Oh, curse, I have the dreaded flue.
Next year, I vow, I’ll take the leap and bare my arm and silent keep.

-Doug Garrett

Saga of the Mixed Soup Mugs

Tomato Soup and Scotch Broth, opposing tastes of brew.
One mug coloured brilliant red, the other placid blue.
One mug featured, tasty Herbs, savoury flavoured dipping.
The other bragged of beefy stock with barley, leaks and dripping.

Smooth and creamy, spicy hot, chunky lumps, or garlic paste:
Both distinctly opposite, everything including taste.
Both mugs at the China shop, waiting, wishing to be sold.
One could fly to someplace hot, the other someplace cold.

It happened as predicted, at last the two could sever.
But shock, they sold both off at once, and off they went together.
Proudly on the kitchen shelf, glaring ’til they almost burst,
Trying to outdo themselves, each one vying to be first.

Tomato soup was first to go. Oh the ecstasy and joy!
Could this possibly be true? Instant wanton soup with soy?
Scotch Broth’s fate was even worse, grabbed from off the counter top.
He got filled to overflow with sticky, fizzy, sugar pop.

Oh, embarrassment and shame. Each new fill was ripe with fraught.
Nameless, tasteless and yet worst, never cold nor barely hot.
Worn and stained they finely sat on the dark and dusty shelves.
Differences in taste seemed mute. So did pity for themselves.

Standing close so long together, colours blended, letters blurred,
Recipes and numbers jumbled, as it was with herbs and word.
One dark eve, the old maid searching, finding what she fumbled for,
Took two mugs with recipes she had never used before.

But by now, just purple mugs, with half a recipe on each,
Still she would try to rescue, what survived the age and bleach. 
Savoury herbs, she read slowly, garlic cloves with chunks of meat,
Two tomatoes, leeks and barley, mix together then add heat.

Never was such flavour tasted. Large the crowds who came to see.
Scotch Tomato Broth, she named it. Queen of Soups it came to be.
Now, when royalty consumes it, only purple mugs will do.
And they cannot be divided- never one, but always two.

-Doug Garrett

Anomalous Anomalies

Definition of Ignorance: A state of mind in which, when you are in it, you are the last to know.

Definition of Arrogance: A state of mind in which you do everything within your power to convince everyone you know, how ignorant you are.

Definition of Pride: A state of mind in which you have both ignorance and arrogance simultaneously.

Definition of Humility: The only known cure for the most common of human maladies, ignorance, arrogance, and pride. It is found in abundance and can be consumed in its natural state. Consumer reports indicate however, it has the least effect on those who are known to be suffering from ignorance, arrogance or pride. 

– Doug Garrett

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How do we become successful?
Answer in 2 words: Right choices.

How do we learn to make right choices?
Answer in 2 words: Gain Experience.

How do we gain Experience?
Answer in 2 words: Wrong choices. 

– Doug Garrett

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Experience changes our thinking.
Thinking changes our behaviour.
Behaviour changes our success.
Success changes our choices.
Our choices determine who we become.

– Doug Garrett

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“You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.”
A horse will only drink when he is thirsty.

If you want to make a horse drink, first make him thirsty – 
Then he will come to the water by himself.

You do not have to make a thirsty horse drink.

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– Doug Garrett