U Pick

We’re still basking in the glorious U-pick berry season Oregon offers. Last week, we found ourselves in the midst of nearly 100 blueberry bushes, laden with their final fruits. We tied buckets around waists, and stretched out hands – making decisions as we went. Which bush? Which branch? Which berry? Though it’s a simple task, our brains constantly pick as our hands pluck.

Regardless of who we are, where we are or what we believe, we’re all constantly picking – it’s an essential part of The Plan. When Heavenly Father offered us a mortal opportunity, He gave us the gift of agency – the gift to choose for ourselves. That gift means He won’t force us to pick Him … it means so much more {to us and to Him} when we pick for ourselves. So, instead, it’s like Heavenly Father created an entire world of purposeful U-pick fields.

We are “free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” ( 2 Nephi 2:27).

During berry season, we watch for signs leading to the best picking places. I laughed out loud when we spotted the “Free slugs … U-Pick” sign. It reminded me that the best picking will probably cost more, in regards to the price of effort and sweat. It also reminded me how vital it is to consciously identify where I’m picking and what it is that I’m picking. Every minute spent, every word spewed, every reaction and action is a choice … yes, even my indecision is a decision.

So, today I’m more consciously evaluating my choices: Am I picking slugs or fruit? Hmm …
Wouldn’t it be easier if each choice we made came labeled with the eternal and immediate consequence of that choice? Some do … the Holy Scriptures outline warnings and promises that directly correlate with specific choices. But some don’t … some customized choices leave me pondering and praying … but one thing’s for sure: consequences await every choice. That’s why, agency is known as “a doctrine rich in power and eternal in its implications” (“The Fulness of the Gospel: Agency,” Ensign or Liahona, Mar. 2006)

“Agency used righteously allows light to dispel the darkness and enables us to live with joy and happiness.”
(Robert D. Hales, “To Act for Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Agency,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006)

In other words, agency used righteously brings delicious and filling fruits that provide eternal nourishment. On the other hand, agency used unrighteously results in slimy slug snacks – ones that never satisfy and taste disgusting.

I prefer fruit … juicy, ripe and delicious fruit.

Well, we added nearly 10 lbs of plump blueberries to our freezer’s collection today … and then enjoyed a few fruits of our labor as we gobbled up fresh blueberry banana buckwheat pancakes … Mmmmmm … Our tummies filled … We picked well today.

Here’s to picking the most important fruits … the ones that perfect us … Here’s to U-picks that fill our spirits and hearts with eternal happiness!