When I was with my Bonneville Buds last night I got a text with a picture of two candy bars. It didn't hit me until I got home why Larry would send me a picture of candy bars. Kevin and Julie's twins are a girl and a boy! Woo Hoo ....so very happy and excited!
Since Sunday this thought has been strong on my mind. It ISN"T always easy to follow the promptings of the Spirit. I shared an experience because the Spirit told me I should of when I was prompted to take something to a gal I only knew from others. We had never met or talked face to face. We only knew each other from friends and face book. I had noticed from a post of hers that she was sad and upset. I felt bad but it wasn't really my place to help....or so I thought. I was busy doing things and the Spirit whispered that I should take her something...anything...but go to her. I absolutely did not want to. I had some good reasons too. She doesn't even know me, I will feel weird, I don't even know what she likes. The Spirit didn't give up. It reminded me of the time my nephew called me to tell me that I was appreciated and loved. My nephew had never called me before or since and I knew his message that day was from God. I'm sure there were plenty of people close to me that had been telling me those same things but when Bryce called I recognized that he was following the Spirit and was speaking for God. So, maybe God was using me this time so that this gal would know that her prayers were being heard and that God was answering them. I decided I would but was still feeling really uncomfortable. I still wasn't sure what to take her or really do. I started looking around at what I had at home. I had some treats and a little sign that said something about faith. Now I think there was a specific reason I even bought that sign....God knew I was going to need it. I sat down and wrote her a little note. I shared with her my little experience with Bryce and told her even though I didn't know what she was going through God did! I drove to her work breathing hard and nervous as ever. I found her and handed her the gift and quickly walked away. Thank goodness she was busy....maybe that was an answer to my prayers. I really did feel pretty dumb as I got in my car and returned home. I knew I had followed a prompting and that I was being used as God's instrument but that really wasn't a huge comfort at the time. The comfort and peace came when this gal thanked me and was appreciative for my actions. Months later she sent me another little reminder saying that the sign I had given her was hanging in her bathroom and that she looked at it every day. Whew....I am really glad I wasn't completely stubborn that day.
I had another awkward experience giving a friend a Book of Mormon. Again the Spirit told me that I should. I was totally against it. My friend wasn't even close to being religious and I knew the Book of Mormon wouldn't be opened, let alone read. The feeling that I should didn't leave and so after months of putting it off I bought a Book of Mormon and had the name printed on the cover and wrapped it and left it on the porch with a little note inside. I was chicken and figured I was getting it to them even if I was just leaving it on the porch. My friend told me that it meant so much and that when the book was opened it was brought to their chest and hugged. I was also told later that my friend didn't plan on reading any of it but it was nice to have. hahaha....sometimes I wonder if I should send a scripture for them to turn to and read. At least that way it might get opened and glanced at. That thought isn't as strong though and so until it is I probably wont.
So, sometimes I believe we think that following the promptings of the Spirit should be easy and make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside and I'm just here to say that is not so! God takes us out of our comfort zone to strengthen and challenge us. I remember another time when Jaydan was a newborn and we were prompted to ask a neighbor if the missionaries could come teach them. Again I did not want to. This cute little family were religious and so good already and I didn't want them to think I thought any different. I couldn't deny the answers to my prayers though. There was a "catch" to the answer of my prayer. Jaydan had some kind of bubble in his throat that needed to be surgically removed so he could eat and breathe better. We were praying that he wouldn't need surgery and asked Heavenly Father if there was anything we could do so it wouldn't have to happen. I remember sitting in the Temple and reading from the scriptures and every scripture seemed to speak about missionary work. I noticed this and so I closed the scriptures and let them plop open and then I would read again.....the same thing continued to happen. I did it several times because it was fascinating me. I knew who we needed to talk to but both Larry and I were feeling chicken. We waited until the night before we needed to take Jaydan to the doctor to make our visit. The family was cute and nicely declined our invitation. They even seemed to still like us and I didn't feel like our friendship was altered. They didn't even accept and God knew they wouldn't but He was testing Larry and I. The next day at the doctor we were told of the miracle that had happened. The bubble that had been blocking most of Jaydan's throat was barely even visible and he didn't need the surgery.
There are many times I know that I have not followed the Spirit. Usually it's because I am not comfortable doing what I am asked. I worry too much about me feeling dumb. A turning point for me recognizing and following the Spirit happened many years ago. It was winter and it was cold. I was driving home and noticed a car off to the side of the road and just past the car and young gal was walking. I offered to take her home and she was happy to let me....then the Spirit said....go put gas in that car. The gal wouldn't have seen me because she was home but I thought no way she will know who it was. Like knowing who is was was some kind of bad thing. Actually the gal didn't even know me and I didn't know her but I didn't put gas in the car and felt terrible ever since. I think this experience was good for me because I never wanted to feel that way again after feeling prompted to do something and recognizing the prompting.
Just a Few Thoughts.....I hope that by sharing my thoughts and experiences that I am able to help others in some small way.
I love Sundays and I love them even more since our Church time is now 9:00 am instead of 1:00 pm. I feel refreshed and ready for inspiration in the mornings. Today I felt the Spirit more than once and got my own personal revelation. I love recognizing and feeling the Spirit. It's not that I didn't feel the spirit when we had late church it's just that I prefer mornings.
When we were on our Cruise a comedian that we were listening to made a statement about being spiritual but not believing in organized religion. I have heard many people say that and it got me thinking. Belonging to a Church and attending often is essential to growing closer to Heavenly Father in my opinion. I study more and serve others that I am certain I wouldn't if I was left on my own. Organized religion guides and directs us and helps us get our own personal revelation from Heavenly Father and His plan for us. We are given many opportunities to serve and I truly believe that serving others is part of the Great Plan of Happiness and what this life is all about.
I am a people watcher and notice what others do. There are many who do good things for people that don't go to church but I don't think it is as consistent as those that attend often. The Comedian sells his CD's and takes that money and buys pizza for the homeless. That is such a wonderful act of love and kindness but there is so much more that he could share if he attended a Church regularly. He is on his own path though and doing wonderful things with the talents he has been blessed with. We all have different paths and just because they are not the same doesn't mean one is wrong. (I really do believe that)
Attending Church regularly takes commitment and a lot of time. It's not easy all the time that's for sure. Preparing lessons or attending classes makes us think deeper. We read His Word during those times and learn of His ways better. We are prepared for personal inspiration.
Having Faith and Believing in Jesus Christ and Following His Example is Most Important but helping our neighbors and friends along the journey is very important too. Helping our neighbors and friends is way easier when we know them and their needs. Going to Church often and participating is how that happens.
Today the message that I heard was being prepared and listening to the Holy Ghost. This life is where we prepare ourselves to meet Heavenly Father again. When we are prepared things go smoother. Preparation is essential in most everything we do. Following the promptings of the Spirit will put us on the path that Heavenly Father has for us.
I'm thankful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe there is good in all churches but I do believe ours is complete with nothing missing. I know that the powers of the Temple are real! The ordinances in the Temple are essential for us to have eternal families. We are the only church that has the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion. I think we might take this wonderful gift for granted since we really don't know what it feels like not to have him with us. We are blessed and The Church is True and Complete.
I have good friends that don't believe like I do and that's okay. I don't mind living a stricter life and not experiencing the ways of the world because I feel peace and power by restricting things from my life that the worlds says is okay. Everything The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints teaches us is for own safety and good. I want to be safe and feel healthy and happy and that's what God wants for us too. His guidelines are blessings and because He cares. I had restrictions and guidelines for my kids as well because I wanted them to be safe and happy because I love them and care about them so much.....God Loves and Cares About Us More!
