Accepting God's Gifts

In this episode, Sher starts by discussing the nature of accepting God's gifts, while Cydni discusses "Love is Blind."  They both explore the challenges of receiving compliments, the importance of recognizing spiritual gifts, and share scriptures and personal stories. They cover why it's so hard to accept divine love and blessings and how overcoming fear and unworthiness can lead to a spiritually fulfilling life. This episode is "Accepting God's Gifts," and we are so glad you are here!

This Week's Challenge
We challenge you to shift your perspective and focus on God's gifts—love, hope, faith, peace, redemption, and eternal life—rather than the shame, guilt, and fear that come from Satan. God's love is unconditional, and by embracing His gifts, you can fully receive the joy and peace He desires for you.

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Show Notes

Drip-Drip Drop, Words and  Music by  Matt Hoiland
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Transcript

Episode 103 - Accepting God's Gifts

Sher: [00:00:00] And how many times was that actually a gift from the Holy Spirit, encouraging me to continue to learn and to grow 

Cydni: so the last time I Googled how much caffeine can a human body consume, that was really led by the Holy Spirit. Just like when I watched Love is Blind. That's beautiful. urge to learn about their drama. 

Sher: You know, Cydni, you always have a way of taking something that I say like this and making it so it doesn't apply whatsoever. 

Cydni: just come along with me on the journey, Sher just learn with me and grow. like a roadmap that goes nowhere. 

Sher: Cydni is the gift that keeps on giving, so we're all very grateful for that 

Okay, Cydni. So today we're going to talk about accepting God's gifts. 

Cydni: That's right. Sher. But first I have to say two things. One is I hope you prepared because I had something come up in my personal life that took me away from preparing. And that was love is blinds reunion. 

Sher: You're kidding, right?

Cydni: And I really should prepare, but then Love [00:01:00] is blind reunion and I was like I better do this for the podcast, it doesn't really go with this, but I was guided there. I think so. I hope you prepared

Sher: well, was it a good reunion? 

Cydni: That's like the big question today is was it worth watching the whole season? Even if I fast forward some of it, no, it wasn't. 

Sher: Did you watch it all in one sitting? Like the whole season? 

Cydni: No, no. I would never do that. 

Sher: You did do that . I can tell by your face you did that.

Cydni: It was two days you watched the whole season. It was days, it was over two days. But I fast forward a lot of it. I didn't wanna hear them talk. I don't care what they're talking about, which is the whole idea that they're talking, I don't really care what they're saying. I just wanna know if they like each other.

If they like judge each other because one guy was kind of short and she totally judged him for that. Which rude and then just if they said yes or no and like, I just think like all the parents getting together on both sides, all the family and then what if they say no, how do they not get beat up?

But I watched it with Iona, some of it, not a lot, just some, don't judge me. You watched that trash with your daughter. Yes. Eight year old [00:02:00] daughter. And, she said this during it she said, Don't judge me, mom. This is a dad joke. She said, My wife is leaving me because of my Star Wars obsession. So, I said, may divorce be with you. That was a good one. It was so good. Did he make that up? Oh, no. I'm sure she got it off YouTube or something. She's not supposed to be watching. But it was really good. And Alicia has good taste in the ones that she's using.

Sher: I still can't get over the fact you watched the whole season in two days. 

Cydni: Maybe two and a half. 

Sher: And now we have a podcast about accepting gifts from God. 

Cydni: Right. And I just want to say that you're a wonderful co host you're so good at this stuff and your editing skills, Sher, they're so good. 

Sher: I'm going to take this love is blind and weave it into accepting gifts from God somehow. 

Cydni: Well, I was just thinking that like how good you are at editing and music and you're really good at standing up for yourself.

Sher: why are we talking about me? I don't understand. Do you not like it?

Cydni: No. You don't like my compliments? 

Sher: thank you. I [00:03:00] appreciate it, but I'm going to cut all of that out. 

Cydni: Nope. I'm glad you said that. You want to know why? Because it was an example. Why is it so hard to receive compliments? 

Sher: That is a good question. 

Cydni: You are so uncomfortable right now why I said nice things that are true about you. It's true, I am. You were shaking and you have a tear. No that's not true. You're sweating. I'm just backing away from you. Your palms are sweaty and your knees are shaky. None of that is true, 

I've heard people talk about the law of receiving and that it's so difficult for us to receive different things, including compliments. I'm the same. I don't want anyone to say something like that to me. How dare you or receiving help from somebody. There's so many things that I feel like we just struggle to receive and I think that's the idea here is why is it so difficult to receive from somebody who desperately and dearly and lovingly wants to give to us. And we've talked about sacrifice and we've talked about surrender and going through [00:04:00] trials With a purpose. And we've talked about doing all of these things, but for what? Well, we hope to receive gifts from God. But I was thinking it's so difficult. I think a lot of us will do all of this work because we're trying to be good Christians. We're trying to be good people and we're trying to show up the way that we're supposed to show up. However, for some reason we just stop when it comes to the part where. We could receive because of it. And

I thought of the ask, seek and knock that so many of us were like, we're going to ask, but then we're going to close our ears or we're going to seek and then not look anymore. We're going to knock and then just stand in the doorway. I feel like this is a relatable topic that we will do the work But then heaven forbid someone compliments us.

It's true. Right? Yeah. And then I was thinking that it would be like exercising for six months, a hundred percent dedicated to weightlifting and clean eating and then being like, no, thank you. I don't want that healthier body. Please don't give that to me. [00:05:00] Or I Ordering off Amazon and then when the package comes Asking the Amazon delivery person to please leave with the package. That would be ridiculous baking a cake Doing all the effort to bake it to decorate it and then it sits on your counter and you never taste it Why do we do this? 

Sher: I like all of those analogies that's a really good point 

Cydni: that's what we want to just start a conversation about is why are we okay to do the pain? But then we're not okay to get the gain. . I didn't plan that . And I think to do this, I would say we need to ask ourselves first, what are the gifts from God? What does he want to give us? And I did ask Iana I asked her in her little 9-year-old mind to list as fast as she could, gifts that she thinks God would give us, and hers were life. The beautiful earth, love, and our talents. 

Sher: That's beautiful. I 

Cydni: know 

Sher: her answers are better than mine. 

Cydni: So I did the same and I just listed a few [00:06:00] of what gifts come to mind and I said, Grace, the atonement, forgiveness, time, knowledge, and peace. As I listened to different conference talks and preachers speak. Anytime they mentioned one, I wrote a few of them down I loved the idea of a change of heart as a gift, compassion, a deeper understanding. Or changed perspective, patience, miracles, guidance. What do you think? What are some that you had in mind? 

Sher: That was a really good list. we doubled up a little bit. So what I did was a little scripture search for different gifts that God gives us. I 23. that one of the gifts is eternal life in second Nephi chapter two verses six through eight. Another gift is redemption in Isaiah 53 verse five. It says, He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. the chastisement of our peace was upon him. And with his stripes, here's the gift. We are healed. In James chapter 1 verse 5 [00:07:00] we're promised wisdom and that he will give this wisdom to all men liberally. And then with that I found a C. S. Lewis quote that I thought that scripture really well. He said, if you are continually stirred and urged to learn, it is evidence that God has not forgotten you and that you are important. In John chapter 14 verse 27. It says, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. A quote that goes along with peace, President Monson said, Peace, like hope, is a gift of God. It is a peace that surpasses all understanding, found through faith in Jesus Christ. And I feel like we've really touched on this the last few weeks, even in times of trial, when it feels like your is crumbling all around you, because of Jesus Christ, you're still able to find peace in those troubled times.

And I love that he says that it surpasses all understanding that sometimes you're like, how am I getting up in the morning? And it is because of the peace that our Savior [00:08:00] can bring into our lives when our hearts are open up to receive that gift. And then, of course, in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, it talks about a bunch of gifts that God gives us, including the word of wisdom. The word of knowledge, faith, miracles, prophecy, I also wrote in my scriptures a quote from a book that I was reading it said, . Included is the gift of detecting evil, which others don't see. Also the gift of seeing the good in others. I thought that was so good that is a gift from your Heavenly Father. If you are a person that always finds something good and positive about somebody, that is a gift from your Heavenly Father. And all of these gifts are given to us. by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, when we are worthy to receive it, the Holy Ghost can communicate with us. that's how Heavenly Father sends them to us. What I think of is there are times when I'm in my classroom teaching that I get such a clear signal of something that I am supposed to say I know I did not think of that on my own, that I was getting a [00:09:00] direct connection through the power of the Holy Ghost, what I should say at that moment. I honestly don't know why I'm saying the things I am but I do know that there was a reason that there was somebody in that classroom that needed to hear that at that time So God does find a way to speak to you. Even if it's in a little classroom in the middle of nowhere, telling you what to say at that moment to a kid that needs it. 

Cydni: That just made me think though, if the gift of seeing good in others is a gift from God. It's a gift that he also possesses. So therefore you might feel like you don't have a lot of gifts or talents, but he sees that you do.

And part of this journey of accepting gifts is being aware of them and grateful for them and seeing them. And as you do that, you will see more because not very often would someone think about seeing good in others is a spiritual gift.

When we think of spiritual gifts, I think a lot of times people think of a good teacher or prophecy or faith, but there's so [00:10:00] much more. That we don't recognize as gifts, but they are gifts. And when we start living in a state of awareness and gratitude, then the spirit, the gift of the Holy, Ghost can testify to us that is a gift from God.

And he gave it to you because he loves you. And he gave it to you so that you can serve others and love them. And he gave it to you so that you could glorify God. 

Sher: that's such a good perspective and a way to look at our gifts from God. One of the things that you reminded me of is sometimes Our trials is what gives us those gifts. as we're going through our trials, when we come out on the other side, if our heart is open, you'll recognize gifts from our Heavenly Father.

Just for me personally, as I was thinking about me teaching, I would say as a classroom teacher, I was described as. also as a podcast co host. Well, I was pretty chill until I wasn't. And then I was, kind of throwing some punches. Emotionally. I don't [00:11:00] hide my feelings very well.

And then I've noticed that after having a stroke that I am a lot more chill and that yes, I still have a little bit of that edginess in me, but it's pretty much was beat out of me or fried out of me. I don't know which, Now that I'm, back teaching part time again, I've noticed how many people say to me, you're so calm.

You're always so calm. And I know that the people that I worked with for years are saying, you've got to be kidding me. but I feel like it's a new gift that my Heavenly Father gave me don't know, as a thank you gift. Thanks for participating. I don't know. 

Cydni: I like the idea of he polished it out of you because it was there and he just polished it up a little bit. That just sounds better than burning in the depths of earthly hell. It's true. Which, same thing. 

Sher: But just reflect on trials that you've been through and when you were able to get through it. The polishing it did on the other side and what gifts it gave you. , 

Cydni: I love that because I had the same thought while you were talking that You will [00:12:00] appreciate these gifts more if you've been on the other side of one of the gifts. For instance, when you listed healing, I didn't think about that as a gift from God.

But if you are someone who has been wounded, To be made whole and to be healed, you understand the depth of the gift that is, and 

when you say wounded, you mean physically, spiritually, mentally, any of those things, right? Anything, yes, 

Or if you've ever gone without filling the spirit, and then again in your life you fill it. You appreciate that light so much more and this ties together so well with the trials and the sacrifice and the surrender because it illustrates that there truly is a Purpose in all of this that he will polish this out of us and not only polish it out of us but help us to have such a deep and rooted and grounded appreciation for the gift that it is One of the reasons why you're the very best co host Sher

Sher: Oh my goodness. Just 

Cydni: accept it. I think one of the gifts in preparing for podcasting with you is that we both are [00:13:00] very prayerful about each topic and episode. And even today, I thought, I wish I had more time to find scriptures that go with this. Like, I really feel like we need that, but I had no time to do that. And when I opened up your notes and there are all of these scriptures, I thought, what a gift it is. To do this together, but both of us be grounded and the same hope and faith and purpose with doing a podcast and that the spirit could work through us and help us to have a partnership where I'm lacking, you make up and vice versa. I don't really think I make up anything except for love is blind season seven. I know we're supposed to be nicer to ourselves we're working on that. So if you're nice to yourself, that's a gift 

Sher: So one of the questions that Cydni and I were pondering is why don't we accept these gifts? And the first one that I thought of is fear. . I found a story that I had never heard of before It's about Chuck Feeney. Have you ever heard of him before?

I have not. Me either. So Chuck Feeney, he was a billionaire, and he co founded the Duty Free Shoppers in [00:14:00] the airports. You know what I'm talking about? When you go through and it says Duty Free Shop? 

Cydni: In the airport? 

Sher: Oh yeah, yeah. I haven't traveled for a while and I'm like, what? Yeah. That's like a brand. I didn't even realize that. And he owned all of that. he secretly amassed this huge, vast fortune. But he didn't really say much. And he lived a really modest life. But for decades he struggled with the fear. Of spending the money. So he lived very modestly. He didn't flaunt what he had, but he lived in fear of spending the money and losing it.

And so even though deep down, he said he felt called to do something good with it. He was afraid he said he was afraid of losing financial security. He was afraid what people would think like if he was flaunting it, like he had too much and look at me giving money away and he wasn't sure if giving it all away was the right decision.

so he just held on to this mass. Fortune, this billions of dollars, not doing anything with it. And then eventually as he got older and he got into his later years, he decided this was ridiculous and he overcame his [00:15:00] fear and he donated almost his entire fortune. He gave almost all of it away.

He gave over 8 to education, healthcare, social causes, and He lived to see that impact of that money and what he was able to do with his fortune, but he regretted waiting so long because he was afraid. And this is what he said. I had one idea that never changed in my mind, that you should use your wealth to help people, but I waited too long to do it.

Cydni: And going along with that, C. S. Lewis said, faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods And if we have the faith to accept those gifts Then it should kick that fear out that we have it's accepting that faith And President Uchtdorf said to follow that up, we don't have to be perfect to receive his blessings. We simply need a heart that is willing to be changed. if we can accept that, God wants an open heart so that he can change us. [00:16:00] then hold on to that faith, even though, as C. S. Lewis said, are always changing, and open our hearts up, that maybe that would chase away that fear. If you know you are supposed to do something, and you feel called to do it, then maybe you should open up your heart and accept that gift that God is trying to give you. 

And that story to me illustrates some of the gifts we talked about in the beginning time and forgiveness One we have to believe that God can make up for lost time. this story illustrates this because he waited such a long time, but he still was able to do it. He didn't take it to his grave. So good for him. And so God can make up for lost time and he is ready and willing to forgive and help us to magnify no matter where we're at, our age, our situation. He could do a lot 

Sher: Another one that we thought about why we don't accept these gifts is because of sin and or we're feeling Unworthy that we don't deserve it.

In Luke chapter 15 verses 11 through 32, [00:17:00] it talks about the parable of the prodigal son. I love this story because it shows how much our Father in Heaven wants us back, it doesn't matter how far we have fallen. He is ready to welcome us back with open arms, I know that's really hard to believe that sometimes.

But that's what it says over and over in the scriptures. That is what the Savior taught over and over while He was walking the earth. That you are never too far gone. Elder Richard Scott said, Satan will try to convince you that you are not worthy, but you are always worthy of God's love.

On those crappy days when you're feeling like you don't deserve God's love, maybe we should read that over and over again because He has told us that He wants his children back and He knows that we're all going to fall short, but he's there to help pick us up because he just wants us back.

Cydni: This made me think on what I just said that God can. Make up for lost time that what if there was no lost time? What if and everything we do and the choices we make he will help if we [00:18:00] allow him to learn from that to only then help with what needs to be done if you've been wounded then when you're healed it's that much more and so there is no lost time with God There's just his ability to make the most out of anything which is a gift

Sher: so Cydni and I kind of got stuck on this feeling unworthy and why do we dwell on past mistakes or things that we should have done and didn't do? And have these feelings of guilt and shame. This is a quote I found about that. Guilt is feeling bad about what you've done. Shame is feeling bad about who you are. When I read this, it made me feel blah, because , that is true.

I feel guilty about something I've done, and then that makes me feel ashamed of who I am, and then it just is this ugly cycle that just goes around and around. But then I found this quote that made me feel a lot better from President Nelson. He said, Your worth is not determined by how others see you, but by how God sees you.

And we've talked about this a lot . how happiness is [00:19:00] our birthright because we are God's child and that's the lens we should be looking through elder uctor said we are not perfect but through christ we are enough 

Then I was discussing this with our good friend, Shelley, and she sent me this quote. This is entitled you. If every single person who has liked you in your lifetime were to light up on a map, it would create the most glitteringly beautiful network you could imagine. Throw in the strangers you've been kind to, the people you've made laugh or inspired along the way, and that star bright network of you would be an impressive sight to behold. You're so much more than you think you are. You have done so much more than you realize. you're trailing a bright pathway that you don't even know about. What a thing, what a thing indeed.

And to go along with that, apparently I'm on a C. S. Lewis fest today. He said, God doesn't love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us. When we tie all this [00:20:00] together, I just, Think about if we could see the good that each of us are doing or trying to do how would it light up the world?

what would we see if we could see it from God's perspective? when you go to the grocery store and you see someone drop the groceries all over and you help pick it up or you open the door for somebody or you smile at them as you're walking by them, and then think of all the things that you've done for your family and for your friends it all just keeps lighting up that map that is so important to realize that maybe we aren't doing so bad and try to focus on that good, which I know is so hard to do because it's so much easier to focus on the yuck.

But focus on those things that you've done well and that you're trying to do better at and those interactions you have had with people where you have made a difference. That's what God wants us to focus on. And again, I'm gonna go back to the CS Lewis quote , God doesn't love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because he loves us.

 Keep trusting in God. He's gonna keep polishing us and [00:21:00] making us better. And we're gonna continue that cycle and we're going to hopefully learn and grow and become better. 

 As I was thinking about this as an example, I thought of John Newton who is the author of Amazing Grace. Have you seen that movie, Cydni? No. You should watch it, it's really good. He was a former slave trader. And he was living a very wicked life, besides the fact he was selling human beings.

Cydni: And when he became a Christian and found God, he realized what a horrible human being he was. He was selling God's children, and he realized that he was a terrible person. But from that, and trusting in God, and repenting, he wrote the song Amazing Grace. And that is where that song comes from. So, if somebody Who was a slave trader selling the children of God can find God repent Change his ways become a preacher and then write the famous hymn Amazing Grace Certainly God can change [00:22:00] and reform us 

I did think to myself that a lot of people grew up feeling like love was conditional. And what I have learned from studying this topic is that the most important gifts that we can receive, it's unconditional love from God. There is no condition on receiving the gift from God to know that you are His and that He loves you and he sees the very best in you. 

I know I've already shared a few examples of how ridiculous it would be to not accept the ABS or an Amazon package, but there's also one more that I would like to share that I think most people are familiar with. That story where the man's out in the ocean drowning and he prays to God and he says, please, God help me and a man on a boat comes and says, Sir, hop in.

Cydni: I'll give you a ride. And the man says, No, no. God's coming. I've prayed to him. Thank you. Go help someone else. And then a little while later, after some more praying of please God, please help me. A helicopter comes and sends down a rope and says, sir, hop on. Let's get you out of here. [00:23:00] And he says, no, absolutely not. I'm waiting for God. And then the man dies and he sees God and he says, I prayed to you. I prayed for help. Why did you not show up? And God says, I sent a boat and a helicopter. When you think of that story with the idea of how many gifts God wants to give us, it almost makes it feel pretty absurd that you want to accept the boat ride or the helicopter and I believe that God has been trying to send all of us gifts and maybe some of us feel like we have to first suffer or first have to give before we're worthy of receiving. And we want to challenge you to change some of your thoughts on this. You're already in a position to immediately receive gifts from God. Shift from, you have to be a certain way in order to get it. His love is not conditional. And in this, I was thinking that there are truly gifts from Satan here. Satan's gifts are shame and guilt and fear. And what we would like to challenge you to do is change your perspective and focus more on what the [00:24:00] gifts from God are. The love, the hope, life, the family connections, faith, peace, , redemption, the atonement, eternal life. We hope with this shift that you could feel the unconditional love that God deeply desires for you to accept. 

Sher: This brings us to our final thoughts. When we recognize and accept the gifts God offers, our lives transform in ways we never imagined. His grace, forgiveness, peace, and guidance are always within reach. But too often, fear, pride, or feelings of unworthiness keep us from receiving them. Yet, when we finally open our hearts, we not only experience the joy of His blessings, but also feel a natural desire to share them with others. As you reflect on the gifts you long to receive, take the next step. Trust in His love, ask for His help, , and embrace the change He desires for you, and accept His unconditional love that He has for you.

Cydni: And above all, remember the [00:25:00] words from President Monson, Peace, like hope, is a gift from God. This is our prayer From Cydni and Cher. No, I think it would be a good time for you to talk because you're really good at talking. 

Sher: Okay, I'm going to continue on my scripture quest here. Continue? What did I say? Continue. Is that what I said? 

Cydni: I apologize. You're, like, worried about being mean, and I'm like, eh, eh, eh. I know.

You messed up. I didn't even notice. I didn't even notice. I thought it was nice. 

Sher: it's okay. You can mock me. 

Cydni: It's cause I was hurt in my feelings. was a Starburst. It was fruit. It was a fruit. It, it was Starburst. 

Sher: You can't be too nice, otherwise it's like freaking weird, so say something mean. I will. I was just looking things up about fear and not acceptance. 

Cydni: Rudy. Rudy. Rudy wants attention. He'll [00:26:00] learn from it he's surrendering to gravity 

Sher: I thought I heard something. You're like, I'm done. She just took her headphones off. She was like, I'm out. 

Cydni: Can you imagine if we just did the opposite where it's like, I don't like anything you're saying. And you're like, I also don't like anything you're saying. That would be sad. That would be a completely different vibe. Have a great week. Go get them, Tiger. You got this. Doing God's work. Not today, Satan.