June 4, 2020

The Avett Brothers have a song in which they state, "I've been lazy with my love".  I think I could say something similar about my worship, and the strength of my testimony has become languid and uninspiring to me, and by association, to others.  This is to be a journal of my thoughts as I revive myself and get my thoughts, energy, and focus back on track with those things that I know connect me to the version of Reese Reynolds that I like best, and that is most capable of bringing goodness to the world and the people in it. 

I started reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning, and it never ceases to amaze me the immediate power I feel as I return to its pages.  

I have some self doubt regarding my commitment to this line of study, but I will hope and pray for strength and inspiration to stay the course, exercising patience with myself knowing the less-than-disciplined approach I take to life - I don't know for sure how bad or good that is, but I know that some of what makes me who I am - even the best version of me - is my ability, even desire, to operate in such a way as to allow for chance to come into and even materially impact my life.  However, in some areas I recognize that discipline will be the cornerstone of my development, and this is certainly one of those areas.  As such I will endeavor for some level of consistency.

As I write this I am sitting at the desk of my beloved grandfather Bateman.  This desk is one of the few relics I have of his life, but it is one of great value to me.  Perhaps it will be a constant reminder and inspiration to call upon the strength of the great women and men whose lives are the bricks of the sturdy and lofty edifice atop which I and my family members are blessed to stand, and from which the view - if we choose to look - is a clear and unencumbered path to faith, hope, joy, and peace.