Someday I Will Be A Real Girl

I feel that one of our big purposes in being here on this earth is to create something of importance... Whether it is through our careers, churches, or family. To some their masterpiece is a child, to others it might be a painting, symphony, or movie, and to more it might be their career or a calling in church. I think of the story "Pinnochio" fondly. One of my favorite Disney songs from that movie is, "When You Wish Upon a Star..."



This story can relate to all that apply it. Here is a puppet made out of wood, created by Gepetto his master. He must go through trials and temptations in order to become a real boy, and get his wish granted... And through that miracle of wishing, Gepetto's masterpiece becomes real... and Pinocchio's wish comes true. So what I take from this story... is that the real masterpiece we must create in this life is ourself.. and our creator is our God. The things we create... movies, art, children, careers, church callings.. all encompass and add to creating ourselves. I got an email from Shell the other day about a Baptist contractor that was asked to build the Mormon temple. It was awesome.. Here is a part of that email..

"As the temple neared its completion, the general contractor and I had occasion to chat one more time. I knew that he was a staunch baptist, one of the churches, in fact, that was so vocal in its protest over our building a temple in Houston. Over the months, we had become friends, and so I felt no qualms in asking him just what his feelings were, as a baptist, building a mormon temple. I'll never forget what he told me.

"In ancient times", he said, "building work was overseen by guilds. The guild masters were the ones who saw to it that the integrity of the craft over which they labored was the best it could be. If you wanted to enter the guild you had to begin as an apprentice and dedicate long years with little or no pay. The master under whom you labored, gave you room and board and your tools. Eventually, you became a journeyman in the guild and you got paid. However, if you wanted to become a master of the guild, you had to present a sample of your work to be judged by the other masters. It had to be a work of outstanding beauty and flawless quality for it was the work by which your skills would be judged. It had to be a work that would weather the ages and it was called, 'a masterpiece'"

The contractor continued, "Every building I've ever built has been one where money won out over quality. I've never been able to do the best I'm capable of because of budget restraints. If I'm grateful for one thing, it's that you mormons don't skimp when it comes to your temples. For once, I'm able to build to the quality I'm really capable of"

Then he looked out over the temple and his gaze came back to me. His eyes were tearing up a bit and he swept his hand back towards the temple and his voice got a little reverent, "This is my masterpiece", He said.

I've been building buildings for almost thirty years. If been doing it so long, in fact, that they are beginning to tear down buildings that I was sure would live as a testament to my presence long after I was gone from this earth.

I'm really grateful I had a chance to work on The Houston Temple."














Through building his masterpiece, the contractor became a better self. So my ultimate plan is to continue to create masterpieces within my life... as students walk in my room with a frown, and leave with a smile... or building relationships that matter with family and friends, or whatever I choose to create at the time. My wish is that it is beautiful to it's creator, me.. so that it adds beauty to the ultimate creator. And through this my ultimate goal, as was Pinnochio's, I will keep wishing on that star... cause someday I am going to be a "real" girl !! :)