1 Nephi 19:23 "And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."

I read a story in Luke 19:1-10 and "likened" it unto myself for my profit and learning. I have replaced the name of Zacchaeus and other words (to reflect my name) and found as I did, the spirit spoke to me. I have put the replacements in brackets so one can see where the spirit took me.

"And Jesus entered and passed through Jerico [Eagar].

And behold there was a man [woman] named [Charlene] which was [known among by others as] rich [in the spirit]

And she sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press [multitude of cares of this world], because she was little of stature [was a little fat in her own eyes compared to others ]

And she ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him. [Exalted herself in her own eyes taking priding in what others called spirituality; appearing patience, longsuffering, forgiving and loving judging herself worthy of all acceptance and justifying her little fat and double mindedness, falling short of the full measure of the 'stature of Christ']

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw her, [where she was in her heart] and said unto her, Charlene, make haste, and come down [from your high place]; for today I must abide at thy house.

And she made haste, and came down [humbled herself] and received Him joyfully.

And when they, [some others] saw it, they all murmered, saying, That He was gone to be guest with a woman that is a sinner. [why would he want to visit with a fat woman?]

And [Charlene] stood, [trying to justify her fatness] and said unto the Lord; [half sheepishly;] the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man [person] by false accusation, I restore [her] fourfold. [I am honest and honestly trying to lose weight.]

And Jesus said unto [her] This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as she also is a daughter of Abraham.

For the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost."

My works will never justify me. No matter how much weight I lose, how nice I look in the eyes of the world or how much I give to the poor, or how honest I may appear, it is my heart, or motives that count.

The question is, is my heart like Jesus's? Do I do what I do just for the love of Christ, myself and my neighbor? Love is the fulfilling of the law. Are my motives pure? Is my eye single to His glory? I must "obey from the heart that form of doctrine which will set me free".

As I come down off my high place and humbly accept that I am imperfect and love myself anyway and have faith and trust in Him who IS perfect, to give me the gift I need to make my weakness a strength, He will visit 'my house' and salvation will come to me.

The weakness shown me by God, lack of love, is by virtue of the fact that I have been placed in a world of darkness and given the mission of finding my way back "home" to Him. Jesus and His gift of charity, is the only way that mission can be accomplished.

We must experience His pure love first, so that we have an example to follow. It begins by searching, pondering and praying about, the scriptures. Our task is then to practice what we have 'seen' Him do. We grow from grace to grace back into His presence.