When I was a new college graduate, I got a dream job of
working as a staffer for the U.S. House of Representatives. My duties included
answering phones, writing letters to constituents, and researching agriculture
issues.
After a while, I was promoted to office manager. This mostly
meant that I kept up with ordering the toner for the fax machine and printer,
and calling the tech support line when one of the computers or phones went
down. So glamorous.
Back in those days, computers were quite a bit slower. (I
mean, the internet was new enough that there were no youtube videos, just
randomly emailed viral videos like the very creepy Dancing Baby.)
When a computer in the office got unbearably slow, sometimes
my duties involved performing a “defrag,” or defragmentation on it. I’d go to
the control panel and run the system defrag, which took all the little bits of
scattered data throughout the system and re-ordered it. Instead of being all
over the place, the operation set the data into neat rows, freeing up empty
space, getting rid of “bad sectors” and making everything neat and tidy. After
a defrag, the computer always ran much more smoothly.
Watching the little video of the defrag in process was very
satisfying. It felt like chaos was being trounced, and order reigned.
I was thinking of this on Friday night when I attended the
temple. Going there, feeling the sweet, calm spirit of that building, getting
away from the cares and struggles that had perplexed me all week, I realized
the chaos I’d been facing due to a (minor) health challenge, as well as some
residual stress from a (good but tough) family situation, seemed to be placed
in order.
In fact, I felt just like the Lord was providing a defrag
for my inner soul.
This is often how I feel on Sundays at church. I can take
the sacrament, review my week, put my heart and mind and priorities in order. I
can take stock of what I left undone, and what I need to do better. I often
will be prompted during that time as to how I can serve my neighbors or my family.
It’s a good, good time. I need it. I need it every single week. My system runs
more smoothly. Feeling it happen is very satisfying. I don’t know how I could
deal with life’s chaos if I didn’t have the regular defrag going to church and
the temple provides.
So, I guess what I'd say is that if you haven't tried it or haven't tried it lately, I highly recommend regular church attendance. It’s a rest
and a way to find peace for the soul.
