As a parent of a 3 year old, I see a lot of examples of her levels of maturity:

-When I tell her she can’t dunk her battery-operated toys in the water table outside, she gets frustrated that I am taking away her fun. ⁣⁣

-When we encourage keeping the Sabbath Day holy, she focuses on everything that she can’t do on Sundays.⁣⁣

-She gets really upset when someone else isn’t following the rules.⁣⁣

-When she is really really tired or hungry, she loses any little amount of maturity she had left in her and anything could set her off.⁣⁣

-She changes her mind on what she wants to eat for lunch after I have already made it. ⁣⁣

-She doesn’t always say please or thank you, and she ultimately has no idea what sacrifices I make out of love in order to make her life fairly enjoyable, fun, and safe. And that’s okay. As a parent, I don’t expect her to see or recognize it all. ⁣⁣

Okay… did you notice any parallels to your own spiritual understanding?⁣⁣

Here’s what I’ve noticed. How many times have I thought:

-That Heavenly Father was giving me rules that were keeping me away from having more fun?

-That the Sabbath is more of a burden than a blessing?

-That I have to be concerned and worried about everyone else’s decisions?

-That I can ignore healthy food and sleep habits and still function well? (HINT: I absolutely cannot )

-That I actually wanted a different blessing or opportunity than the one He gave me?

-That I should try and do better at saying prayers of gratitude to my Heavenly Father, forgetting that I only see a sliver of what He actually does for me?

Spiritual maturity is essential to develop. ⁣⁣

In D&C 109:15, the Kirtland saints prayed: “that they may grow up in thee”. ⁣⁣

We aren’t going to be fully spiritually mature right now. But we can take inventory:

Are we understanding the importance of seeing the big picture?

Are we maturing?

Are we growing up in the Lord?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Growing up  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

For a Jesus who encourages, accepts, and loves. ⁣

For a Jesus who doesn’t shame, but who invites. ⁣

For a Jesus who is fair and understanding. ⁣

Jesus Christ visited Joseph and Oliver in the Kirtland temple just days after its dedication. ⁣

And the words He spoke to them are so telling of His character and nature. ⁣

“Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.⁣

“For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.” (D&C 110:6-7⁣)

Love. Acceptance. Mercy. Power. Patience. ⁣

There are only limited words that I can read that I know my Savior spoke. ⁣

And these few messages and words that He spoke in the Kirtland temple that April day let me know that He is one and the same. ⁣

He is kindness and love and mercy. ⁣

I am so grateful for any opportunity I get to learn more about Jesus Christ. ⁣

To study His words and know that Jesus is my kind, wise heavenly friend.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post My Savior’s words  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I was asked to play the organ for the opening and closing hymns at his funeral services. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Although I’ve played the piano for years, I hadn’t had any organ-related opportunities for quite a while so I knew I wanted to practice a lot. I didn’t want to be rusty for this important occasion. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

I was able to get into the chapel the night before his services. I checked my email for the two hymns and practiced them over and over – I really wanted them to be perfect. “Love One Another” and “The Lord is My Shepherd”. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

The morning of his funeral, I walked in with the family processional. I went to the stand and quickly traded places with the lady who was playing prelude music. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

As I was changing the registrations, pedals, and books, I heard the person conducting announce the opening hymn:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

“Love at Home”. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

NOT “Love One Another” like I had practiced. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

I hurriedly glanced at the program next to me to confirm that yes, he had announced it correctly. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

I had no time to even panic – I just turned to hymn 294 and started the introduction. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

I immediately and silently pleaded with the Lord to help me transfer the practice time and energy from the one hymn to the new one. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

“Love at Home” actually isn’t that difficult of a hymn to play, but I had the most beautiful experience. I KNEW that everything was going to be okay. I felt strength and confidence in my playing. I’m sure my dear musical Grandpa, my Heavenly Father, and probably others were supporting me. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

To me, THAT is GRACE. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

The Kirtland saints pleaded with heaven in the dedicatory prayer: “And now, Holy Father, we ask thee to assist us, thy people, with thy grace”. (D&C 109:10⁣⁣)⁣⁣

They knew they didn’t really know what they were doing. They knew they had a lot to figure out still.

And they asked for God’s grace to carry them along all the right notes.

God’s grace is so good.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Grace at the organ  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I had recently moved into the ward. ⁣

My house was still being slowly organized.⁣

I was pretty sick and tired from pregnancy. ⁣

There was just a lot going on. ⁣

So, no thank you. I couldn’t handle my own life at the moment, which meant visiting my assigned sisters was not going to happen. ⁣

And then my new companion cornered me, and I quickly found myself agreeing to dates and times to go minister. ⁣

I picked up some cookies on the day we had planned, and met her at a house. We were invited inside. ⁣

And the conversation and company that flowed for the next unexpected two hours was so refreshing. ⁣

I found connection, I felt sympathy, I laughed, I shed a few tears, I served. ⁣

I’ve realized I’m really good at giving this excuse in a lot of areas in my life:

“Oh no, I can’t handle the simple day-to-day stuff right now, so I can’t take on anything else.”⁣

But time and time again, I’ve learned that when I try to give and serve in times that I lack, it is enough. ⁣

The amazing Kirtland saints didn’t wait until their bank accounts felt a litttttle more comfortable and all their debts were paid off before they donated their money. ⁣

“Out of our poverty we have given of our substance”. (D&C 109:5⁣)

They had nothing. And they still gave. ⁣

And with what they gave, they built the first holy temple to the Lord in this dispensation. ⁣

When I don’t think I have enough time to serve, but I do it anyways, I am always proven wrong. ⁣

Because… I’m always going to lack. ⁣

At least, it seems highly unlikely that at some point in my life I’ll be like, “Yeah, I’m totally comfortable now. I have nothing else to worry about and so NOW I’d like to serve others.”⁣

We are asked to serve from our own lack. ⁣

Of course, paying attention to when the line has crossed into unhealthy service. It’s okay to say no. ⁣

But I’ve come to learn that for the most part, I’m never going to feel like I’m “ready enough” to serve more or sacrifice more. ⁣

And yet, even in my complete and utter lack, the Lord can take what little I’m offering and transform it into a mighty miracle.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post No ministering lessons please first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.