was to board a cruise ship

and sail the Mediterranean Sea.

He saved every penny until he had enough for his passage.

He dreamed of walking the streets of Rome,

Athens, and Istanbul.

Since money was tight

he brought an extra suitcase filled with cans of beans, boxes of crackers,

and bags of powdered lemonade, and that is what he lived on every day.

He would have loved to take part in the many activities offered on the ship;

he envied those who went to movies, shows,

and cultural presentations,

and oh, how he yearned for only a taste of the amazing

food he saw on the ship.

But the man wanted to spend

so very little money

that he didn't participate in any of these.

He was able to see the cities he had longed to visit, but

for the most part of the journey,

he stayed in his cabin and ate only

his humble food.

On the last day of the cruise, a crew member asked him

which of the farewell parties he would be attending.

It was then

that the man learned,

that not only the farewell party,

but almost everything on board the cruise ship, the food and entertainment,

all the activities, had been included

in the price of the ticket.

Too late, the man realized

that he had been living far

beneath his privileges.

We live beneath our privileges when we fail to partake

of the feast of happiness, peace, and joy that God grants so bountifully.

We can be satisfied with a diminished experience and settle for experiences

far below our privileges,

or we can partake

of an abundant feast

of spiritual opportunity and universal blessings.

As you read the scriptures and listen to the words of the prophets

with all your heart and mind

the Lord will tell you how to live up to your privileges

and we will be able

to do all things

through Christ who strengthens us.