I recently was part of a conversation with a bunch of moms. ⁣

One mom told a story about how frustrating it was that so many people wanted to come see her baby right after she gave birth.

She said the visitors brought sicknesses, drained her energy, and didn’t respect her need to heal. ⁣

And then later in the conversation, a different mom talked about how she actually LOVED having visitors right after having babies.

The visitors lifted her spirits, gave her a break from holding her baby, and made her feel less lonely.

Differences of opinion are normal, right?

But I thought this was actually a beautiful example of how we impose our own intentions and meaning on others!

When someone comes to visit the first mom after giving birth, she’s thinking:

“Oh they aren’t very considerate. Do they realize how many sicknesses they are carrying?!”⁣

And when someone DOESN’T visit the second mom after giving birth, she’s thinking:

“No one cares about me. No one is thinking about me or how I’m doing right now.”⁣

This is clearly a low-stakes example, but don’t we do this all the time?!?⁣

Someone does something and we have negative thoughts because we assume their intentions. ⁣

Someone DOESN’T do something and others have negative thoughts because they assume their intentions. ⁣

The men who crucified the Savior did a TERRIBLE thing—

BUT they didn’t necessarily realize they were actually crucifying the Savior of the world.

They thought they were neutralizing a blasphemous threat. ⁣

Once again, we have a perfect example from our Savior of how to forgive others. ⁣

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Pres Eyring said, “We do not know the hearts of those who offend us”. ⁣

And yet, in our fallen state, we think we know everyone’s intentions.

We think we know that they should know better.

We think everyone has had our exact experiences and education.

We think we know that they are wrong and we are right. ⁣

But from my experience, I’ve noticed that most people don’t realize they are offending someone else.

When we practice stepping back and assuming that everyone around us actually has the best intentions and mortal weaknesses, inner peace becomes available.

Jesus forgave the people ending His mortal life while hanging on the cross, and we can do better at forgiving others, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Visiting new moms  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I think that answer is actually pretty easy and obvious to most of us.

Right?

He had to sacrifice His physical body for us so that He could then overcome the grave.

He knew it had to be done to fulfill the whole plan. ⁣

And yet, the priests and others passing by Christ’s crucifixion said:

“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” (Matthew 27:42)

They put specific requirements on the miracle that Christ had to perform in order for them to “believe”. ⁣

Yet Jesus had spent His whole life performing miracles.

(Which they actually reference by saying “he saved others”.)

And He was about to perform the greatest miracle of all. ⁣

And STILL these onlookers decided that He only was a true Savior if He could get Himself off the cross.

Do we sometimes put our own requirements on the help we get from heaven? ⁣

“I haven’t received a yes or no answer yet.”⁣

“This terrible thing happened even though I followed a prompting.”⁣

“I keep praying for a way to help my daughter but I’m not getting an answer.”⁣

With our own limited viewpoint here, we think we know exactly what we need sometimes, right?

I need to know if I should do this or not.

I need to get inspiration for this.

I followed a prompting so nothing unsatisfactory should come from it. ⁣

And yet there is someone above who sees the whole big picture. ⁣

Sometimes the answer is no answer. ⁣

Sometimes the prompting is to do nothing.

Sometimes following the Spirit leads to terrible suffering. ⁣

What we or what others think the miracle “needs to be” is not always what it is. ⁣

God’s ways are not our ways. ⁣

And I’m so grateful for a Savior who understood this and knew that performing NO miracle in that moment is what would lead to the greatest outcome for all.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Why didn’t Jesus save Himself?  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

(Which doesn’t happen too often!)

Now, I know “the news” doesn’t always have the happiest stuff to report.

But I was still baffled by how many controversial news stories there were!

By the end of the half-hour broadcast, I was exhausted with how many emotional, legislative, social, or even physical “battles” were occurring.

And they all wanted me to “pick a side.”

Jesus wisely counseled:

“My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight. . . but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36)

Jesus knew which battles to fight and which battles to ignore.

He knew what was actually important in the grand scheme of things.

He knew the battle that was eternally significant.

I take solace in knowing I don’t have to jump into every “battle” I see.

Let’s be real, it seems like every comment section on social media has people getting angry over some brand’s marketing decision.

Conversations with coworkers can turn into gossip and faultfinding.

And news outlets expect us to have fully formed strong opinions on every event that happens.

But I find solace in knowing I don’t have to be a soldier taking a side in each item of contention, both big and small, I encounter.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean I ignore important issues or stand complacent while others gossip.

There are causes and values worth raising our voices for, as we feel the Spirit urging our hearts and minds to do.

But I can stand firm in knowing what the real battle is!

It’s to learn about Jesus, be like Jesus, get rid of sin in my life, and proclaim the truths He teaches.

His kingdom is not in this world, and I can keep my sights set on eternity to know what matters most.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Pick a side!  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I can’t think of many worse situations on this earth.

These were “enemies” by every definition of the word. ⁣

In fact, Peter raised his sword in defense and cut off the ear of one of the offenders.

A noble act of loyalty against such injustice!⁣

And yet what did Christ do?⁣

“And he touched his ear, and healed him.” (Luke 22:51)

He healed the man’s ear. ⁣

“He reached out and blessed His potential captor using the same heavenly power that could have prevented Him from being captured and crucified.” —David A. Bednar

Did that man really deserve to be healed?⁣

Christ didn’t ask that question. ⁣

He just loved everyone and did good to those who used Him. ⁣

He didn’t just teach about “loving your enemies” — He lived it. ⁣

Are we stuck a little too much on making sure people get what they deserve?⁣

Or could we do better at ignoring about making things “fair”

While also honestly hoping that we never get exactly what we deserve?

Jesus showed overwhelming kindness, love, and generosity toward His enemy.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Getting what we deserve first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.