Past Blessings, Future Promises

Last week we had two of our missionaries from our time in Belgium and the Netherlands come and visit with us.

Joey de Sousa from Chorley and Lucas Montoya from San Antonio Texas served together in Arnhem four years ago. It meant a lot to have them come and spend time with us – it was such a joy!

Lucas stayed with us for a few days and was able to visit Edinburgh, Pitlochry, and Stirling while he was here.

Whenever missionaries visit, the conversation often turns to our memories of our time together.

We talk about people we visited with, experiences we had together, and moments that shaped us. I think it’s quite natural to look back and think those were the best times.

But a thought kept coming to me: in the gospel, the best times are not only behind us. With the Lord, the best years are 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅.

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about progression.

The Lord is always inviting us forward, helping us grow, refine, and become more than we are today.

No matter our age or stage of life, there is still more joy to feel, more people to bless, and more that the Lord can do with us.

I was reminded of the promise in the Book of Mormon, in Ether 12:4 : “Whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world… which hope cometh of faith.”

That promise applies to all of us. The Lord is not finished with any of us yet.

Some of our sweetest experiences in the gospel will undoubtedly still be ahead.

So maybe a good question for us to reflect on is simply this: Are we looking forward with faith as much as we look back with gratitude?

I’m so grateful for the wonderful memories the Lord has given us, and I have faith that as we continue to follow Him, He still has many good things prepared for us to come.