Zealotry or Old Age?

I love looking at the blogs of my friends whose children are still at home.  If I were in the same season of life, I have no doubt my blog--whenever I could get to it--would contain pictures of my young children living their completely adorable lives. 

I have looked at my own blog only sporadically of late and realize it has become of string of thoughts from General Authorities.  I stopped adding to it for awhile (a) because work has become more and more time consuming and (b) because I felt as though I might appear just a little zealous. 

I realized this morning, however, old age has its perks:  First, concern about appearance matters much, much less than it did in earlier years.  Second, the gift of time (whenever work schedules don't interfere) reappears, allowing for the kind of reflection one cannot engage in when the house is full of five children under the age of six.  Third, old age is a reminder that heaven is not far away, so why not get ready for it?

All of this is a prelude to the thought I stumbled across this morning and wanted to save on my blog.  Written in 1989 by the much beloved Howard W. Hunter, here it is:

To fully understand this gift of agency and its inestimable worth, it is imperative that we understand that God's chief way of acting is by persuasion and patience and long-suffering, not by coercion and stark confrontation.  He acts by gentle solicitation and by sweet enticement. He always acts with unfailing respect for the freedom and independence that we possess.  He wants to help us and pleads for the chance to assist us, but he will not do so in violation of our agency.  He loves us too much to do that, and doing so would run counter to his divine character.--"The Golden Thread of Choice," Ensign, November 1989, 17

Strung together beautifully, these words portray a magnificent concept--one that no doubt has the power to change lives.

Speaking of change, my next effort will involve a computer tutoring session to learn how to add blog pictures in the precise spot intended, as opposed to whatever spot the computer decides.  I don't know whether this will help me get ready for heaven or not, but even in old age having at least a few skills is a good thing.