The Pharaisee and the Publican

I just love the New Testament. We just finished reading it as a family and one of my favorite stories in this book is the story of "The Pharisee and the Publican". I am a firm believer that we as members of the church have been given a light to shine and share with others. It does not make us any better then others, if anything it should make us more compassionate for those less fortunate. I want our boys to be raised up as followers of Christ and leaders of Righteousness. We can't do that if we dont teach them to look outside there little bubble and reach out to others less fortunate and share our light. This Gospel we belong to is a true blessing in our lives and its our responsibility to follow the promptings of the spirit and share it with those that we are inspired to do so.

About 5 months ago a new little family moved across the street from us. I wont lie they seemed a little rough around the edges and I became quick to judge just as the pharisee did to the Publican. As the months rolled by, I spent many hours washing my dishes and analyzing their lifestyle through my kitchen window. In time something changed inside of me. I began to feel the spirit whispering softly to me and filling me with a burning desire to share my light with them. Its seems completely erradical when reflecting on the neighborhood we live in. We probably live in the highest gang population in Carson. In the 3 years we have lived here I have worked hard to keep my little family secluded from the neighborhood. But there was something special about this family across the street, who was I to judge.

That next day I did something very brave. I walked over to the house and began to introduce myself to this family. I noticed a little puppy in the yard and gave away Bradley's Puppy Dishes to them. They were very friendly and grateful for the gift. That was the start of our friendship. Everyday since their kids and our kids have become really good friends and spend hours on end playing in the front yard together. Riding bikes, creating side walk art, and playing in the sprinklers. I have spent lots of afternoons visiting with this lady across the street and we have become pretty close. We have both cried on each other shoulders and have helped each other through several hardships. All in a small 6 month span. Somehow in each conversation we shared it always ended on the topic of religion. She wanted to know what made our family so unique, so wholesome, and so inviting. As I shared my testimony of the gospel and listened to her stories of life it was amazing the trust that began to form between us. She really started listening and building that desire for better in her life as well.

Perry and I took up an offer I thought I would never do in my wildest dreams. Her son Dominick (6) invited Tyler to spend the night at their house over the weekend. I was very apprehensive at first and only let him stay till 10Pm as a late play date.

But as the evening went on The spirit filled Perry and I's heart with peace and reassurance. I went over to check on Tyler and he was having the time of his life. We decided to go ahead and let Tyler spend the night. We've raised him up thus far to be an example and to be safe and cautious, so this was a leap of Faith and trust on both partys.

I never once had a feeling of doubt. As I dropped of his jammies and pillow my heart swelled knowing that my little Tyler man was engaged in a wonderful missionary experience. Just as the story of the Pharisee and Publican we should never judge another by the reputation of their race or neighborhood they live in. Our Father in Heaven doesnt love me any better then her. We may live different lives, but we are equal in our desires for happiness and righteousness, thats why the spirit connected us. She is an amazing Mother to her kids and loves her family. Shes had a rough life and some experiences that have left her battered and bruised but we are both children of God and the spirit has placed our families together for a reason. I am grateful that Tyler can learn how to be a missionary early on in life and how to be leader in righteousness. There are so many people out there waiting to hear about the gospel and its for us as members to seek those people out and follow the spirit with a nonjudgmental heart.