From Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk The Abundant Life
"Harry, the riding master at a girls’ school in New York, was about to leave when one of these horses—an uncared-for, gray gelding with ugly-looking wounds on its legs—caught his eye. The animal still bore the marks that had been made by a heavy work harness, evidence to the hard life he had led. But something about him captured Harry’s attention, so he offered $80 for him.
"It
was snowing when Harry’s children saw the horse for the first time, and
because of the coat of snow on the horse’s back, the children named him
“Snowman.”
"Harry
took good care of the horse, which turned out to be a gentle and
reliable friend—a horse the girls liked to ride because he was steady
and didn’t startle like some of the others. In fact, Snowman made such
rapid improvement that a neighbor purchased him for twice what Harry had
originally paid.
"But
Snowman kept disappearing from the neighbor’s pasture—sometimes ending
up in adjoining potato fields, other times back at Harry’s. It appeared
that the horse must have jumped over the fences between the properties,
but that seemed impossible—Harry had never seen Snowman jump over
anything much higher than a fallen log.
"But eventually, the neighbor’s patience came to an end, and he insisted Harry take back the horse."
Snowman was already old and worn when Harry began training him to be a champion jumper, but he surpassed expectations and won many competitions and was in inducted into the show jumping hall of fame. Many stories and books have been written about him.
"For many, Snowman was much more than a horse. He became an example of the hidden, untapped potential that lies within each of us."
There are a few characteristics that those living an abundant life share:
1. They drink deeply of living waters John 4:14
Faithful scripture reading strengthening faith in Jesus Christ, and gives us hope and joy.
2. They fill their hearts with Love
When people sense dislike or fear they retract and place barriers between themselves and others. Best way to develop love for those who test your resolve is to pray for them and for you to have love.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said that those who reach out to lift and serve others “will come to know a happiness … never known before. … Heaven knows there are so very, very, very many people in this world who need help. Oh, so very … many. Let’s get the cankering, selfish attitude out of our lives, my brothers and sisters, and stand a little taller and reach a little higher in the service of others.” 8
3. They, with the help of their Heavenly Father, create a masterpiece of their lives.
You are not a piece of work - You are a MASTERPIECE
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 11
"The abundant life isn’t something we arrive at. Rather, it is a magnificent journey that began long, long ages ago and will never, never end."
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