Monday, July 23, 2012

A Spiritual Confirmation


First of all, I just want to say:  Yesterday at church....man, it was such. a. good. day!  

That morning, I had asked the Lord to re-confirm to me the message that I had received from him on Friday, and he sure did.  

I felt the spirit so strong all day, received multiple, unrelated, but beautiful insights during the various classes, and enjoyed a great lesson taught by my friend in Young Women.  

I felt a very loving, comforting feeling particularly as we sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" in Sacrament meeting..."if, by a still, small voice, he calls to paths that I do not know, I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: I'll go where you want me to go...I'll say what you want me to I say."

When I was a youth in the church, there was a period of time when we were required, as a congregation, to sing a practice hymn together after Sacrament meeting.  I guess that was technically the beginning of Sunday School opening exercises or something.  (Does anyone else remember that?)

I found it mildly annoying and sort of funny, as together, we fumbled through songs at the direction of a dear old sister in our ward, who was very adamant that we learn the correct beat...and not to mess up on the third verse where the wording is tricky!!  

I think it was a bit of a pet peeve for her.  And I noticed in church on Sunday that we did indeed botch that rhythm...even the organist, and that made me chuckle and think of my dear Primary music teacher who tried her hardest to go against the tide! 

I tend to go against the tide a lot in life.  Although, I haven't been totally willing to admit that to myself until now.  I think the Lord knows that I'll swim upstream if he asks me to, and I think that's why he shares insights with me, because he knows I'll appreciate them, I'll write them down.  He knows I'll know what to do with the information or that I'll try my best to figure it out with his help.  

It's nice to be trusted by the Lord.  And I only have to look back at all the ways that he has blessed me to know that he trusts me.  That is a humbling feeling.  I never want to let him down.

Something else happened during Sacrament meeting yesterday that made me smile.  I took the opportunity during the "rest hymn" to take a quick "rest" in the bathroom with Autumn.  On the way back to the chapel, I noticed two books sitting out on the "for free" table where the library has been dumping old materials for months now.  

Normally, there are tons of materials that nobody wants (except me!)  This time, sitting on the table was THE book that has been recommended to me many times over the last year by a few good friends...just sitting there...all mine for the taking.  A tender mercy for sure!

The book is "Raising a Family Unto the Lord" by Gene R. Cook...a classic as far as I understand.  I scooped up both books and swooped my large pregnant self back into our pew with a big old smile on my face.

I woke up feeling happy and close to the spirit this morning as well.  During scripture study, we read in third Nephi, and I took a minute to explain to the children what it means to "be the salt of the earth," and why it is so important that we not lose our savor.  Since my kids like putting salt on their food and understand that it makes food taste better...they understood what the Savior is asking when he says "Scarlett, I need you to be the salt of the earth.  I need you to be better than good.  I need you to keep my commandments.  If you don't do it, who will?"

After breakfast, everyone scattered around the living room, and I took a few minutes to practice the piano.  I started playing "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," and I was really surprised when Scarlett started singing along.  I was not aware that she knew that song.

But what a beautiful song it is.  It touched my heart.

"Oh, let me hear how the children stood round his knee.  I shall imagine his blessings resting on me; Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace. All in the love-light of Jesus' face."

I want to see that face some day. I want to imagine his blessings resting on me and my children listening to his words full of kindness, witnessing his deeds full of grace...

That is what we are working toward, but we must walk the treacherous path of mortality first.  

I look forward to that day with so much of my being, and I have a personal testimony that the Savior does not make us walk that uncertain path alone.  

He is quite near.  He is quite aware of us and is not too busy to answer the questions of his "little child"...even if that question is, "Will you tell me...just one more time, please?  I need to know that I heard you right!"

11 comments:

  1. Rozann ThoelkeMonday, July 23, 2012

    Elder Cook's book is a classic. I found it in 1991 and have used it as a guide for my family. It is truly timeless. So glad you shared all your tender mercies. Our Father is aware of us and such a loving parent.

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  2. Thank you for your sweet confirmation of the love our Savior has for us.

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  3. Ooh, I need to check out that book! Thanks for sharing your thoughts today. I love the way you write. 

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  4. So glad your questions and prayers were answered.  And I love Elder Cook's book.  It's full of practical advice that really works to help us raise our families the way the Lord would have us do.  Have fun reading it!

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  5. beautiful testimony that God does answer prayers and guide us!

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  6. Thank you for sharing this experience.  I love when things like this happen.  Often, I find that the closer to the Lord I get, the more I realize how far I am from Him.  Even though I feel His love, there is this desire I have - to always feel it stronger, with all of my soul.  I have so much growing to do.

    Then, there are those days, those experiences, where I do feel the Spirit as strongly as I would always like to.  I am reminded of the great love my Heavenly Father has for me, and for the happiness He has that I want to do His will.  I feel gratitude for the patience He has for me as I try to be a better woman and disciple.

    anyways - thanks for the post.  It was a very tender reminder of how the Lord loves each of us individually.  We can have a true relationship with him.

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  7. BEAUTIFUL Jocelyn!
    ~Shari R.

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  8. Jocelyn, I remember that dear sister well. The song I remember singing over and over was, "Scatter Sunshine." More Like, 'Sca, at, ter sunshine.' Now I'm giggling all over again.

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  9. The Scatter Sunshine comment was from me.

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  10. Oh yes!!!! :)  That one too!  Love ya!

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  11. LOVE that song. 

    And free books.=)

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