Taking something out of context can change its meaning.
Nowhere is this more evident today than in watching our political arena. So tiring. And often misleading.
The same is true of these parables I am writing about. (Not the tiring part.) Maybe I am just a dense student. You decide.
I've heard the Parable of the Talents my entire life. It was certainly one that was taught in the Sunday School and Primary classes of my youth. The message I understood was that the Lord expects us to use our talents or we will lose them. And I felt motivated to develop my personal talents, that my efforts would be pleasing to God.
So when I realized that Matthew 25 was a continuing conversation about the Second Coming and read the Parable of the Talents in that context, I was confused. What did this mean? What did it have to do with the Second Coming? I was stumped. It was not obvious to me.
So I began to ponder. What does it have to do with the Second Coming of the Savior?
And then it hit me. In LDS parlance, "This has to do with the hastening!" All that means is that this parable has to do with our part in building the Kingdom of God.
God expects His followers to assist in building and strengthening His Kingdom. And by doing so we are spiritually "built" and strengthened ourselves, a good way to accumulate some of that spiritual oil that was discussed in my blog about the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
I decided to study the word 'talent' in the scriptures. 'Gift' and 'responsibility' appear to be interchangeable with 'talent'. Sometimes using synonyms can help broaden understanding. I love reading scriptures with a dictionary at hand because it often helps increase my understanding.
To keep this post to a reasonable length I will just share a couple of thoughts that came from this talent-study. Stay with me a minute.
The Gospel of Luke was enlightening. Gospel writers tell the same stories from their own perspectives. Luke calls his story the Parable of the Pounds in Luke 19. It has the same scenario. A nobleman calls his servants and delivers to each different amounts of his wealth and then expects an accounting upon his return. The words used in this narrative caught my attention, first in bewilderment. The nobleman says to his servants, "Occupy till I come." What's that suppose to mean? A footnote explains. It means, "Do business till I come."
Next, from LDS scripture, D&C 35:27 "Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours until I come. Behold, I come quickly." (The emphasis is mine.)
And, "Therefore seek ye to bring forth the kingdom of God..." This is the Joseph Smith translation of Luke 12:31. (To see the JST version on this link, look for Show Footnotes.)
Combine these thoughts and you find that the Master has given His Kingdom to His servants to manage or bear responsible for until He comes again, with the injunction to "Do business till I come" or to "...seek...to bring forth the kingdom of God". Both parables give this message.
So, in the context of preparing for the Second Coming of the Savior which is the context of Matthew 25, how do we do that? How do we each go about His business and seek to establish His Kingdom?
That will be different for each of us since we have different talents and responsibilities. But have you asked yourself, "What can I do to help build and strengthen God's Kingdom here on the earth? What can I do to help prepare for His Coming?
Can we make it our personal responsibility instead of a church responsibility or a general Christian responsibility? What will doing the Lord's business look like in your world?
Who can I strengthen today? Who needs my love? Who needs kindness? Can I help to strengthen faith that is waning? Where am I spending my precious time? "Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known." Do we need to retire a few less-worthy pursuits in order to "Do business till I come?"
These are just some of the questions I have asked myself as I have put this parable back into context. Developing talents is a good message but the context of the message is preparing for our Savior's return.
"...may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come..." Love that prayer!
What is your part to play?
Monday, April 27, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Part Two - The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The parables in Matthew 25. There are three of them.
That is the question I asked myself. I will tell you my thoughts, but please share any inspiration you have. I would love to learn more.
The Ten Virgins. It's all about being prepared. But in what way?
In the parable there is to be a wedding and the custom was for the bridegroom to come to the bride's home in the evening. The wedding guests waited along the route the bridegroom would walk and then followed him to attend the wedding. In this story the bridegroom did not come until midnight and half of the virgins who awaited his approach did not bring sufficient oil with them to burn their lamps that long. They asked those who had brought extra to share with them but those wise virgins could not share since they would then not have enough themselves. Those who were unprepared were advised to hurry and try to buy what they needed; but, of course, in so doing, they were too late for the wedding.
Spencer W. Kimball, a former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught about this parable. He said that the oil represented spiritual preparations and that is why the women could not share their oil. How do you give someone your faith in a Savior or your trust in God or your ability to obey God?
President Kimball gave counsel on preparing spiritually. Things like attending church, kindness, scripture study, prayer, service to family and community - particularly done consistently - all help produce that spiritual oil needed in our lives. Below is a video that enacts the parable and then depicts ways today we can build our own spiritual preparedness, things you are likely already doing. (The music at the end is a bit dated but the message is the important part.)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks counseled,
Elder Oaks mentioned temporal preparations. So what of those?
Modern prophets have counseled repeatedly of a need to prepare our families against a day of want. They go so far as to tell us to build a year's supply of basic foods, where permitted to do so, and clothing and fuel where possible, to avoid debt, and to have savings. I never associated that counsel with the Second Coming of the Savior. I don't know why I didn't. I obediently stored food for the rainy day and have been grateful I did so many times when things were lean for us. Because of having basics stored I have always been able to make do. So I have been grateful for this counsel from these modern prophets.
But, as I mentioned in my previous post, I have spent a lot of time studying what has been said about the Second Coming. In those studies it became obvious to me the connection between the events preceding the Second Coming of the Savior and the counsel to store food and other commodities. Some of the prophetic counsel was even shocking to me.
Here's another quote about the counsel to store food.
I'm going to address the other two parables in other posts and I'm taking them in the order they appear in the scriptures. Regarding preparedness, I could write several posts on the subject from everything I have learned, but I will just leave it with my encouragement to seriously consider your spiritual and temporal preparedness. And then do something to increase it still more.
I believe the prophesied time that the Savior spoke about in Matthew 24 has arrived. That doesn't mean I think He is coming tomorrow. I don't believe that. We have a lot to get through as we watch these prophesies unfold. But they have begun. And He has given instructions on how to navigate this time in these parables. The first one is about our preparation. Modern prophets have expounded on that, both spiritual preparation and physical preparation. If you believe in modern prophets (and I know that not everyone does), will you follow their counsel? Will you prepare? Will you be wise as in the parable? I know I have had to make changes in my life as I have been learning about these things. And one of those changes has been to more carefully and diligently follow the counsel of prophets. God has always guided His people through prophets. I believe He still does.
Are we preparing?
- The Parable of the Ten Virgins
- The Parable of the Talents
- The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
That is the question I asked myself. I will tell you my thoughts, but please share any inspiration you have. I would love to learn more.
The Ten Virgins. It's all about being prepared. But in what way?
In the parable there is to be a wedding and the custom was for the bridegroom to come to the bride's home in the evening. The wedding guests waited along the route the bridegroom would walk and then followed him to attend the wedding. In this story the bridegroom did not come until midnight and half of the virgins who awaited his approach did not bring sufficient oil with them to burn their lamps that long. They asked those who had brought extra to share with them but those wise virgins could not share since they would then not have enough themselves. Those who were unprepared were advised to hurry and try to buy what they needed; but, of course, in so doing, they were too late for the wedding.
Spencer W. Kimball, a former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught about this parable. He said that the oil represented spiritual preparations and that is why the women could not share their oil. How do you give someone your faith in a Savior or your trust in God or your ability to obey God?
President Kimball gave counsel on preparing spiritually. Things like attending church, kindness, scripture study, prayer, service to family and community - particularly done consistently - all help produce that spiritual oil needed in our lives. Below is a video that enacts the parable and then depicts ways today we can build our own spiritual preparedness, things you are likely already doing. (The music at the end is a bit dated but the message is the important part.)
Elder Dallin H. Oaks counseled,
"We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult—the spiritual."Spiritual preparations cannot be made in an instant and cannot be shared. And the time to prepare is now. Continue to prepare, or begin to prepare. But do not delay.
Elder Oaks mentioned temporal preparations. So what of those?
Modern prophets have counseled repeatedly of a need to prepare our families against a day of want. They go so far as to tell us to build a year's supply of basic foods, where permitted to do so, and clothing and fuel where possible, to avoid debt, and to have savings. I never associated that counsel with the Second Coming of the Savior. I don't know why I didn't. I obediently stored food for the rainy day and have been grateful I did so many times when things were lean for us. Because of having basics stored I have always been able to make do. So I have been grateful for this counsel from these modern prophets.
But, as I mentioned in my previous post, I have spent a lot of time studying what has been said about the Second Coming. In those studies it became obvious to me the connection between the events preceding the Second Coming of the Savior and the counsel to store food and other commodities. Some of the prophetic counsel was even shocking to me.
"Should the Lord decide at this time to cleanse the Church—and the need for that cleansing seems to be increasing—a famine in this land of one year's duration could wipe out a large percentage of slothful members, including some ward and stake officers. Yet we cannot say we have not been warned." Ezra Taft BensonPresident Benson is not the only prophet that said something to this effect. He got my attention and for the first time I made an association between preparedness counsel and the time Jesus talked about in Matthew 24.
Here's another quote about the counsel to store food.
"The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." Ezra Taft Benson,The more you read about the prophecies regarding the Second Coming, the more you understand just why he said that!
I'm going to address the other two parables in other posts and I'm taking them in the order they appear in the scriptures. Regarding preparedness, I could write several posts on the subject from everything I have learned, but I will just leave it with my encouragement to seriously consider your spiritual and temporal preparedness. And then do something to increase it still more.
I believe the prophesied time that the Savior spoke about in Matthew 24 has arrived. That doesn't mean I think He is coming tomorrow. I don't believe that. We have a lot to get through as we watch these prophesies unfold. But they have begun. And He has given instructions on how to navigate this time in these parables. The first one is about our preparation. Modern prophets have expounded on that, both spiritual preparation and physical preparation. If you believe in modern prophets (and I know that not everyone does), will you follow their counsel? Will you prepare? Will you be wise as in the parable? I know I have had to make changes in my life as I have been learning about these things. And one of those changes has been to more carefully and diligently follow the counsel of prophets. God has always guided His people through prophets. I believe He still does.
Are we preparing?
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
A Continuing Conversation
I want to share something I learned about three parables that Christ gave to His disciples.....and I'll tell you which ones in a minute.
But, first of all, think about Matthew 24 in the Bible. You know, the big chapter that talks about the Second Coming of the Savior...with all the scary stuff that precedes it. I can't tell you how many times I have read it and been amazed that the Savior told them to "see that ye be not troubled" when they began to witness the signs that He described. The chapter is full of stuff that is very troubling! Read it and think about how it makes you feel.
Well, I believe in those things, both that He is coming again and that there will be really, really hard times before He does. In fact, I am paying close attention to what is happening in the world and how it compares to His descriptions. But, more than that, I just have this feeling deep inside that tough stuff is coming and I want to know how to get through it.
So, I have been studying these things. A lot! For quite some time. And that brings me back to what I want to share.
If you study the End Times at all, the Parable of the Ten Virgins comes up again and again. I thought I was very familiar with the parable and several commentaries on it. But one day I read a commentary that was a little different and I wondered to myself, "Is that really in there?" It surprised me enough that I decided to look up that parable again and see if what the writer said was really there. (It wasn't. He was taking poetic license which is fine by me....I just want to know when it's done.) I tried to think where to find the parable. "Well, it's talking about the coming of the Bridegroom....maybe it's at the end of Matthew 24." It wasn't there. But I decided to take a minute and re-read the chapter. So interesting to me. The disciples ask Jesus when He will come again and what will be the sign of His Coming. Talk about an inspired question! And then Jesus tells them what to look for.
Well, obviously I didn't know where to find it in the Bible so I turned to the Topical Guide to look it up. And guess where it is! Matthew 25! That got my attention. It helped me to look at this chapter differently than I ever had before. And this is what I discovered...
Matthew 25 and its three parables are a continuation of the conversation the Savior had with His disciples in Matthew 24! That changes everything. Well, it did for me anyway.
Matthew 24 - the signs to look for before the Second Coming
Matthew 25 - HOW TO PREPARE for those incredible events!
Well, those signs are pretty scary-sounding and so I am very interested in knowing what the Savior says about preparing for it. And I will be blogging about each of these parables in the coming weeks. I would really love it if you shared your thoughts with me as I present each parable in its turn.
One last thought as I introduce this topic. Just to prove that this parable chapter is a continuing conversation, I want to point out the evidence for that. (Not that I need to, but it was a point of interest to me.)
Matthew 25:1 has a Joseph Smith Translation footnote that says, "And, then, at that day..." (which in scripture-speak means the Last Days just before the Millenium) "...before the Son of man comes, the kingdom of..." This pointed out to me that He was still talking about this Last Day time period from the previous chapter. Of course, this is only found in the LDS edition of the Bible. If I had given more thought as I read previously, it might have been obvious to me anyway as it is clear enough as it stands in the King James edition. But the JST footnote got my attention.
And then Matthew 26:1 puts a period on the conversation, so to speak. "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings..." And then the scriptures move on to a new topic.
This is all a big deal to me because it helped me to examine this chapter in a new light. As I read, I asked myself two questions:
"How does this parable help prepare me for the events He has just described?
What do I need to do to be prepared?
And that is what I am going to be talking about, starting next week. I hope it will end up a discussion. See you then.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Words Given Unto Them
A beautiful story is told in the Book of Mormon of miraculous events involving children who were present when Jesus Christ ministered to the people on the American continent after His Resurrection. I have always found it touching to read about the heavens opening and angels descending to surround the children and minister unto them.
Then later on a subsequent visit to this ancient people we read of another miracle involving children. The Savior specifically spent time teaching the children and "he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that they could utter."
And still more astonishing, "...babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things..."
How is such a thing possible?
I don't know the answer to that. But I do know it is possible. It happened at my house, too.
It was 1991 or 1992. I wish I could be more specific but my journal from that time was on a computer and lost when the computer crashed. My journals have been handwritten ever since. I did record this event again later so it would not be totally lost.
We were living in Lake Oswego. There was a big controversy brewing over new proposed sex education material in the schools. School board meetings were packed and the debate heated. So many people wanted to speak their minds. It was not feasible to accommodate everyone so the Board announced that there would be a lottery. Only those whose names/numbers were drawn would be allowed to testify. Fred planned on attending this meeting and he carefully prepared a speech. I stayed home with the children; but before he left we knelt as a family in prayer to ask God to give Fred the opportunity to speak at the meeting that night. Our son, Erik, offered the prayer. He was only four or five at the time. I have written in my journal, "He prayed with such power that I was astonished." But that was just the beginning.
It was soon bedtime for the children. I sat on Erik's bed while he knelt beside it to say his prayers. What happened next amazes me even to this day. This little boy began to pray like nothing I have ever heard before. His tongue was loosed and he prayed a sermon. A four year old! He prayed about several specific things to happen for Fred at his school board meeting, things that were way beyond a child to know. In fact, I would not have had the wisdom to pray for the things he requested of the Lord. I just sat in amazement at what I was witnessing.
I tucked all my children into bed and sat marveling over what had just happened....and waited for Fred to return. He didn't come home until after midnight. What stories we had to share! He was invited to speak, the second from the last. It had been a disturbing meeting with people openly mocking speakers who called for moral principles in teaching the children. Fred gave his speech. He received a standing ovation! (No one else had.) He didn't get home until after midnight because he was thronged with people wanting to talk to him about the principles he had espoused. He told me about the events of the evening and I told him about Erik's prayer. We wept as we realized that every part of Erik's lengthy prayer had been answered in exact detail that evening. Truly his tongue had been loosed and words given to him. And Fred had been blessed beyond his natural ability.
It is one of the cherished experiences of my life.
There are so many ways God wants to bless us. The experiences that we read about in the scriptures are not just for an ancient day. They are recorded as a testimony of what is possible for us today, too.
Search the scriptures. Hope and pray and prepare to receive God's blessings, whatever they may be. You may find yourself surprised, too.
Then later on a subsequent visit to this ancient people we read of another miracle involving children. The Savior specifically spent time teaching the children and "he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that they could utter."
And still more astonishing, "...babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things..."
How is such a thing possible?
I don't know the answer to that. But I do know it is possible. It happened at my house, too.
It was 1991 or 1992. I wish I could be more specific but my journal from that time was on a computer and lost when the computer crashed. My journals have been handwritten ever since. I did record this event again later so it would not be totally lost.
We were living in Lake Oswego. There was a big controversy brewing over new proposed sex education material in the schools. School board meetings were packed and the debate heated. So many people wanted to speak their minds. It was not feasible to accommodate everyone so the Board announced that there would be a lottery. Only those whose names/numbers were drawn would be allowed to testify. Fred planned on attending this meeting and he carefully prepared a speech. I stayed home with the children; but before he left we knelt as a family in prayer to ask God to give Fred the opportunity to speak at the meeting that night. Our son, Erik, offered the prayer. He was only four or five at the time. I have written in my journal, "He prayed with such power that I was astonished." But that was just the beginning.
It was soon bedtime for the children. I sat on Erik's bed while he knelt beside it to say his prayers. What happened next amazes me even to this day. This little boy began to pray like nothing I have ever heard before. His tongue was loosed and he prayed a sermon. A four year old! He prayed about several specific things to happen for Fred at his school board meeting, things that were way beyond a child to know. In fact, I would not have had the wisdom to pray for the things he requested of the Lord. I just sat in amazement at what I was witnessing.
I tucked all my children into bed and sat marveling over what had just happened....and waited for Fred to return. He didn't come home until after midnight. What stories we had to share! He was invited to speak, the second from the last. It had been a disturbing meeting with people openly mocking speakers who called for moral principles in teaching the children. Fred gave his speech. He received a standing ovation! (No one else had.) He didn't get home until after midnight because he was thronged with people wanting to talk to him about the principles he had espoused. He told me about the events of the evening and I told him about Erik's prayer. We wept as we realized that every part of Erik's lengthy prayer had been answered in exact detail that evening. Truly his tongue had been loosed and words given to him. And Fred had been blessed beyond his natural ability.
It is one of the cherished experiences of my life.
23 And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, anot only men but women also. Now this is not all; little bchildren do have words given unto them many times, which cconfound the wise and the learned.
Alma 32:23, The Book of Mormon
There are so many ways God wants to bless us. The experiences that we read about in the scriptures are not just for an ancient day. They are recorded as a testimony of what is possible for us today, too.
Search the scriptures. Hope and pray and prepare to receive God's blessings, whatever they may be. You may find yourself surprised, too.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Knock At The Door
A knock at the door. A stranger waits, holding a small piece of paper with a name written on it. The door opens and the stranger asks, "Would you please ask Brother Morgan to pray for [insert name from paper]?" The request made, the stranger leaves. Now aware of the need Brother Morgan retires quickly to his bedroom and begins to pray fervently for this person, as fervently as if the person were his own son or daughter.
Brother Morgan was my great-great grandfather. Such requests to him came frequently, according to our family history. I have always been fascinated by this.
How do you think praying for someone helps the person in need?
Do you think it does?
How do you think praying for someone helps the person in need?
Do you think it does?
Or does it just make you feel better?
These are questions that I have had. My daughter Amy gave me some answers. With her permission I share her experience.
Amy is a pray-er. Thankfully. One of her siblings faced an extremely serious problem and there wasn't much that anyone else could do to help with it.
Aren't so many situations like that...you can't do much to change anything but wish fervently that you could fix things for the people you love?
Out of her love for her brother Amy was frequently praying for him. She pleaded with God to help him. But she wondered as she prayed over and over again just how her prayers could help. What difference could they make? And she expressed those concerns to God.
"I just don't see how my prayers can make any difference for him. How can my prayers help anyone?"
Have you ever felt the same way? I certainly have. God gave her an answer.
"That is because you do not understand the power there is in prayer."
That really hit me. As much as I have prayed in my life and as many wonderful prayer experiences as I have had, still I found that this insight applied to me, too. I do not comprehend the great power that is unleashed in prayer.
But when Amy shared this experience with me, something changed inside. I knew what she said was true and that praying is tapping into a very real power source. Talk about increased confidence in prayer! I love knowing that prayer sets all kinds of things in motion.
Initializing that power. We can all do it. Anytime we turn to God, reaching out to Him, He is there to take our hands. This I know without any doubt. Whether our faith in Him and in prayer is great or small has no bearing on whether He will respond. He is always there. And when we pray, the power begins.
We don't have to be powerless in overwhelming situations.
Let us engage the powers of heaven! We need it.
Monday, March 2, 2015
A Child's Prayer
Johnnie's mom was mean. All the neighborhood children knew that, at least I thought we all did. Looking back I can't figure out why I was so intimidated by her. I can't remember any unpleasant interaction with her myself. But in my young mind, Johnnie's mom was mean.
So when Johnnie came over to play one day and confessed to me some misdeed he had done, now long-since forgotten, I was plenty worried for him. We both knew he was really going to get it.
But Johnnie had a plan. He was going to lie and deny everything when his mom found out. It seemed so plausible then.
Although I don't remember my exact age at the time of this incident, I was old enough to recognize a lie, which ability typically doesn't kick in until around age five, if I remember my childhood development principles correctly. My guess is that I was six when this happened.
At any rate, I knew that Johnnie's plan was wrong, that he shouldn't lie. And I told him so. He, of course, wasn't buying it. But again, I encouraged him with all my young heart not to lie to his mother. I went so far as to promise him that if he would tell the truth that he would not get in trouble. Where I got that idea I have no idea. Perhaps my mother taught me that. Or perhaps I was responding to a prompting of the Holy Ghost because this event ended up being quite the testimony-builder for my young heart.
Johnnie was persuaded. He took courage in my fledgling witness that when we choose to keep God's commandments that we are blessed. And he left me with his new plan to go home and confess to his mother. I felt so good about that.
But once he left I remembered that Johnnie's mom was really mean, and I got really scared. She was gonna kill him, I just knew it. And I did the only thing I could do. I prayed. This was my very first real prayer. My parents had diligently been tutoring me in the mechanics of prayer throughout my young life, putting words in my mouth and modeling prayers that I could copy. But this was the first time that I turned to prayer for myself. And how fervently I prayed at that moment on my front porch.
"Heavenly Father, Johnnie has gone home to tell his mom the bad thing that he did. But she is so mean. I'm afraid what will happen to him. I promised him that if he would not lie that he wouldn't get in trouble. And he believed me. Please, please, please help him."
It was a desperate plea but my first true act of faith.
Later Johnnie came trotting back over to the house, bright and cheerful. "You were right! I didn't get in trouble at all when I told my mom the truth." It was truly a miracle in my young eyes. God heard me! He helped me! He helped Johnnie.
That was 55 years ago. As simple of a story as that is, it is one of the important events in my life. That initial reaching for God. That tender reaching back. I learned then that He is there and the many years since have only confirmed that truth. We have only to put out our hand and He will take it. Really.
I wonder if Johnnie remembers....
So when Johnnie came over to play one day and confessed to me some misdeed he had done, now long-since forgotten, I was plenty worried for him. We both knew he was really going to get it.
But Johnnie had a plan. He was going to lie and deny everything when his mom found out. It seemed so plausible then.
Although I don't remember my exact age at the time of this incident, I was old enough to recognize a lie, which ability typically doesn't kick in until around age five, if I remember my childhood development principles correctly. My guess is that I was six when this happened.
At any rate, I knew that Johnnie's plan was wrong, that he shouldn't lie. And I told him so. He, of course, wasn't buying it. But again, I encouraged him with all my young heart not to lie to his mother. I went so far as to promise him that if he would tell the truth that he would not get in trouble. Where I got that idea I have no idea. Perhaps my mother taught me that. Or perhaps I was responding to a prompting of the Holy Ghost because this event ended up being quite the testimony-builder for my young heart.
Johnnie was persuaded. He took courage in my fledgling witness that when we choose to keep God's commandments that we are blessed. And he left me with his new plan to go home and confess to his mother. I felt so good about that.
But once he left I remembered that Johnnie's mom was really mean, and I got really scared. She was gonna kill him, I just knew it. And I did the only thing I could do. I prayed. This was my very first real prayer. My parents had diligently been tutoring me in the mechanics of prayer throughout my young life, putting words in my mouth and modeling prayers that I could copy. But this was the first time that I turned to prayer for myself. And how fervently I prayed at that moment on my front porch.
"Heavenly Father, Johnnie has gone home to tell his mom the bad thing that he did. But she is so mean. I'm afraid what will happen to him. I promised him that if he would not lie that he wouldn't get in trouble. And he believed me. Please, please, please help him."
It was a desperate plea but my first true act of faith.
Later Johnnie came trotting back over to the house, bright and cheerful. "You were right! I didn't get in trouble at all when I told my mom the truth." It was truly a miracle in my young eyes. God heard me! He helped me! He helped Johnnie.
That was 55 years ago. As simple of a story as that is, it is one of the important events in my life. That initial reaching for God. That tender reaching back. I learned then that He is there and the many years since have only confirmed that truth. We have only to put out our hand and He will take it. Really.
I wonder if Johnnie remembers....
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
It's The Little Things
Poor as church mice.
Probably the most accurate description of our growing family in those early years in Portland. Fred's gross income was $1750 a month. Even in 1989 that couldn't possibly go far enough. I worked out a budget that seemed pretty impossible. After we paid the mortgage on our house, the utilities, and the insurances that left $17 a month to buy everything else. We needed more miracles. And the Lord sent them regularly. It is how we lived.
Not many days after we moved into our house a stranger showed up at our door. He introduced himself as Arnie Borgersen. He and his sweet wife lived just down the street and they were leaving shortly on a mission for our church. He asked if I would be interested in taking care of his home while they were gone for which he would pay me. It gave me a little bit of grocery money.
Then I was assigned to visit teach Marva Price and soon I was babysitting her two youngest girls before and after school. That added a little more, not to mention brought us some very good friends.
We knew God was watching out for us and helping us. But He had much more to teach us using these circumstances as our schoolroom. God is the perfect schoolmaster.
Because of my earlier experiences in prayer and our miracle house I was quickly developing great faith in the promises found in the scriptures. I knew I could pray and be heard. I knew I could ask and receive. And I learned to ask regularly and specifically.
A routine developed. Monday morning, look at the needs for the week. Did I need milk? Did anyone need shoes? Was there an unexpected bill? A school fee? Take those needs to the Lord. And then wait to see His Mighty Hand unfold.
I remember so clearly wanting $12 for school pictures when one of my kids started first grade. It was the cheapest picture available but I didn't have the needed $12. My heart yearned to preserve that precious moment in time with a picture. So I prayed. I had been searching the scriptures to know just what God's instructions were concerning prayer and I knew that they taught that we could ask for what we needed but also for things we simply wanted. I also knew that I could not ask flippantly but instead carefully, to "ask not amiss," and to be willing to submit to the Lord's will in all things. After all, He knows far better than I do just what is good for me to receive.
He sent the $12 and everything else I needed along the way. Just another of His many, many gifts to me because I learned to ask.
The most visible reminder I have of those early years and the lessons of asking is my rocking chair, a double rocker, perfect for a mother who always had a baby on her lap and toddlers at her sides.
I frequently stopped at garage sales, hoping to pick up things we needed for a low price. One day I stopped at a beautiful home where the entire block was having a sale. The homeowner was sitting in a double rocking chair while she tended her "store". Hanging on the back was a tag, $300. I quickly looked through her other things and went home. But I couldn't get that double rocker out of my mind. In fact, my heart yearned for it. And I was surprised by that. "Stuff" has never meant much to me. I was most often quite content with the hand-me-down furniture we had and often hand-me-down clothes. I had what I really wanted in my husband and children. So I really was surprised to find an ache in my heart for a chair, and one so far out of my reach. Finally, though, I went back to the garage sale and looked at that rocker again. I told the owner that I couldn't afford the chair but wondered if she would consider selling it for less if it didn't sell by the end of the sale. She thought for a moment and then asked, "How much did you have in mind?" Well, I hadn't actually thought that far and I was a bit embarrassed anyway but I blurted out, "$150?" To my surprise she said that she would consider that and took my phone number.
Well, on Friday she called. She still had the chair and said that I could have it for my offer of $150. I delayed by saying that I needed to talk to my husband and that I would call her back to let her know. What was I thinking?!! It might as well have been $1500! I didn't have $150 and no way to get it either.
I called Fred to tell him about the chair, and then I asked him, "If I can come up with $150, can I buy that chair?" His response was, "You can have anything you want if you can find a way to pay for it!"
So, I took it to the Lord. I remember that prayer as if it was yesterday. "I know there are people starving in the world and that in the grand scheme of things a chair doesn't matter at all. But You have also told us in the scriptures that we can pray not only for what we need but for what we want. My heart aches for that chair. I don't know why. You know that "things" just don't matter that much to me. But I am asking if You will send $150 to me so that I can buy that chair."
I laid it at His Feet and then I waited to see what His answer would be.
It didn't take long. Actually, that very day my prayer was answered. It doesn't always happen that way but this time it did.
My phone rang and it was Marva. She always paid me on Friday. Ten dollars one week. Fifteen another. She told me that she didn't want to keep writing little checks like that and wondered if she could just write me one big check and have me keep track of my daycare hours and then let her know when she owed me more. That was fine with me. No amount was discussed, just a new process.
Late in the afternoon Marva arrived and handed me a check. $150. I stared at it in amazement and then looked at her and asked, "How does it feel to be the answer to someone's prayer today?" Wow!
I called Fred and asked him to bring home the temple pickup so that we could go get my chair. I had my money. He wanted to know if I had robbed a bank.
I brought that chair home with a deep gratitude in my heart. I felt so very loved by my Heavenly Father. He cared about the little things in my life as well as the big things. Whether it was a gallon of milk I needed for my children, a school picture, or a chair. Or a house. He knew. And He cared. He just waited for me to ask.
Our $17 budget was increased just like those loaves and fishes in the Bible. Every bit as much of a miracle. (See Matthew 14:13-21)
And, you know, when it is just me, I sit across from that chair instead of in it so that I can look at it, that visible reminder that God hears me, He loves me, and He will help me. You, too.
Probably the most accurate description of our growing family in those early years in Portland. Fred's gross income was $1750 a month. Even in 1989 that couldn't possibly go far enough. I worked out a budget that seemed pretty impossible. After we paid the mortgage on our house, the utilities, and the insurances that left $17 a month to buy everything else. We needed more miracles. And the Lord sent them regularly. It is how we lived.
Not many days after we moved into our house a stranger showed up at our door. He introduced himself as Arnie Borgersen. He and his sweet wife lived just down the street and they were leaving shortly on a mission for our church. He asked if I would be interested in taking care of his home while they were gone for which he would pay me. It gave me a little bit of grocery money.
Then I was assigned to visit teach Marva Price and soon I was babysitting her two youngest girls before and after school. That added a little more, not to mention brought us some very good friends.
We knew God was watching out for us and helping us. But He had much more to teach us using these circumstances as our schoolroom. God is the perfect schoolmaster.
Because of my earlier experiences in prayer and our miracle house I was quickly developing great faith in the promises found in the scriptures. I knew I could pray and be heard. I knew I could ask and receive. And I learned to ask regularly and specifically.
A routine developed. Monday morning, look at the needs for the week. Did I need milk? Did anyone need shoes? Was there an unexpected bill? A school fee? Take those needs to the Lord. And then wait to see His Mighty Hand unfold.
I remember so clearly wanting $12 for school pictures when one of my kids started first grade. It was the cheapest picture available but I didn't have the needed $12. My heart yearned to preserve that precious moment in time with a picture. So I prayed. I had been searching the scriptures to know just what God's instructions were concerning prayer and I knew that they taught that we could ask for what we needed but also for things we simply wanted. I also knew that I could not ask flippantly but instead carefully, to "ask not amiss," and to be willing to submit to the Lord's will in all things. After all, He knows far better than I do just what is good for me to receive.
He sent the $12 and everything else I needed along the way. Just another of His many, many gifts to me because I learned to ask.
The most visible reminder I have of those early years and the lessons of asking is my rocking chair, a double rocker, perfect for a mother who always had a baby on her lap and toddlers at her sides.
I frequently stopped at garage sales, hoping to pick up things we needed for a low price. One day I stopped at a beautiful home where the entire block was having a sale. The homeowner was sitting in a double rocking chair while she tended her "store". Hanging on the back was a tag, $300. I quickly looked through her other things and went home. But I couldn't get that double rocker out of my mind. In fact, my heart yearned for it. And I was surprised by that. "Stuff" has never meant much to me. I was most often quite content with the hand-me-down furniture we had and often hand-me-down clothes. I had what I really wanted in my husband and children. So I really was surprised to find an ache in my heart for a chair, and one so far out of my reach. Finally, though, I went back to the garage sale and looked at that rocker again. I told the owner that I couldn't afford the chair but wondered if she would consider selling it for less if it didn't sell by the end of the sale. She thought for a moment and then asked, "How much did you have in mind?" Well, I hadn't actually thought that far and I was a bit embarrassed anyway but I blurted out, "$150?" To my surprise she said that she would consider that and took my phone number.
Well, on Friday she called. She still had the chair and said that I could have it for my offer of $150. I delayed by saying that I needed to talk to my husband and that I would call her back to let her know. What was I thinking?!! It might as well have been $1500! I didn't have $150 and no way to get it either.
I called Fred to tell him about the chair, and then I asked him, "If I can come up with $150, can I buy that chair?" His response was, "You can have anything you want if you can find a way to pay for it!"
So, I took it to the Lord. I remember that prayer as if it was yesterday. "I know there are people starving in the world and that in the grand scheme of things a chair doesn't matter at all. But You have also told us in the scriptures that we can pray not only for what we need but for what we want. My heart aches for that chair. I don't know why. You know that "things" just don't matter that much to me. But I am asking if You will send $150 to me so that I can buy that chair."
I laid it at His Feet and then I waited to see what His answer would be.
It didn't take long. Actually, that very day my prayer was answered. It doesn't always happen that way but this time it did.
My phone rang and it was Marva. She always paid me on Friday. Ten dollars one week. Fifteen another. She told me that she didn't want to keep writing little checks like that and wondered if she could just write me one big check and have me keep track of my daycare hours and then let her know when she owed me more. That was fine with me. No amount was discussed, just a new process.
Late in the afternoon Marva arrived and handed me a check. $150. I stared at it in amazement and then looked at her and asked, "How does it feel to be the answer to someone's prayer today?" Wow!
I called Fred and asked him to bring home the temple pickup so that we could go get my chair. I had my money. He wanted to know if I had robbed a bank.
I brought that chair home with a deep gratitude in my heart. I felt so very loved by my Heavenly Father. He cared about the little things in my life as well as the big things. Whether it was a gallon of milk I needed for my children, a school picture, or a chair. Or a house. He knew. And He cared. He just waited for me to ask.
Our $17 budget was increased just like those loaves and fishes in the Bible. Every bit as much of a miracle. (See Matthew 14:13-21)
And, you know, when it is just me, I sit across from that chair instead of in it so that I can look at it, that visible reminder that God hears me, He loves me, and He will help me. You, too.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
The Miracle of the House
Moving time. 1989. Fred was hired as a temple engineer at the Portland LDS Temple. He left for Portland and I stayed behind with five kids to sell the house and pull the move together.
Money (or the lack of it) was a real problem. The house we were selling was purchased on a government low-income program and we had been in it less than a year so there was nothing to put down on another one. And the job in Portland paid very little (but had the potential for more). In fact, when I called around to pre-qualify for a loan I was told I could spend $35,000. Even in 1989 that wouldn't buy a house in the metro area. I was in trouble.
There was only one thing that I was certain of as we faced these realities. We had to buy a house. I couldn't afford to rent, not with five little kids. Houses for rent were too much money for my meager budget; and what apartment complex would rent to someone with five kids even if I found one I could afford! So I had to buy a house.
I had no experience in such things and didn't know I was looking at the near-impossible. But, I had my new-found faith in asking God. (See previous post, I Didn't Believe It.) So I went to the Lord in prayer about my needs and desires regarding moving. Here is the list that I felt my family needed:
Fred was working long hours and not available to help me house hunt so I asked Mom and Dad to go with me to Portland and help me find a house to buy. They had plenty of experience in such things and having them with me bolstered my confidence.
Well, long story short, my mother insisted that we look at houses right around the temple. Have you seen the houses around the temple?! Not $35,000. I had done enough research to know that if I lived way out of town I could find a fixer-upper for $35,000. There were a few out there. But, if you knew my mother, you would know that it is easier not to argue with her. So I humored her. There is an older neighborhood behind the temple so we drove around there. Still way out of my budget. But she spotted one for sale and insisted we look at it. Heavy sigh. Why waste the realtor's time? I CAN'T AFFORD THIS HOUSE! But, like I said, it is just easier not to try to out-stubborn my mother. So we called the realtor and asked to see the house. And the miracles began.
First miracle. Seeing the house. The realtor tried to call the listing agent. But no one answered the phone at their office. It was a large company in the metro area. What company doesn't answer their phone?! But they didn't. And good thing because it turns out the house was already sold and we never would have gone to look. But there was a lock-box on the house so the agent met us to let us in.
Miracle #2. I knew it was mine. The moment I stepped over the threshold of the little house I felt something inside tell me clearly that this was my home. It was strong enough that I wandered through the home and property thinking things like, "I wonder what my bedroom looks like."
Miracle #3. Everything I asked for. I was amazed to find this little house had everything I had asked God for. Four bedrooms, two baths. A large dream kitchen that was newly remodeled with tons of storage and work space....and pretty. Oh, how I loved that kitchen! The living room was tiny but it didn't really matter because I didn't have anything to put in it anyway. But the yard. Oh, the yard! That was a miracle all by itself. The house was in Lake Oswego which touts itself the city of trees. This property was probably the one property in town that had no shade trees but one lone apple tree in the corner....plenty of sun available for the garden I needed! And a fence! Not a pretty fence, mind you, but a fence. And a large piece of property, plenty of distance to the neighbors. And to mute the noise of my joyful children, the property backed the freeway which produced a sort-of constant ocean sound in the back. The kids could run, whoop, and holler all they wanted without the sound carrying in any annoying way to the neighbors. I felt like God had wrapped that house with a huge red bow to present as a gift. And it really was a gift. A gift of a place to live but also a spiritual gift of increasing my faith in God, His Might and Mercy, and in prayer. Oh, the comfort of prayer!
Miracle #4. The money to pay for it. The house was listed at $59,900. That was an inexpensive house in an expensive area. But it was still far more than I had the means for. After we finished our tour of the home we gathered in the kitchen to talk. Dad pulled out his trusty calculator and started doing some figuring. Finally he turned to me and asked if I could afford a certain amount each month. I can't remember the exact figure now but it was something like $684. That was within the budget I had planned and I told him I could. Then he told me that he would be the bank. He would buy the house and I would make my payments to him; and when we were situated well enough to be able to get a traditional mortgage, we could refinance and pay him off. We set it at the going rate of 10% interest. That was more than fair. It was a huge blessing and one I had not expected.
Miracle #5. The house became available. The realtor called to make our offer (they answered the phone this time!) only to be told that the house was sold. What a shock and disappointment. And I was confused. I knew what I felt as I entered that house. I knew it was mine. So what was happening? We spent the rest of the day house hunting but found nothing. With only a half hour left before my parents had to leave Portland, we were back in the realtor's office hoping for more listings. The phone rang and our realtor answered. Then we heard her say, "Well, you're in luck. They are standing right here." We gave her our full attention. She put her hand over the receiver and turned to us to ask, "Would you still like to make an offer on that first house? Apparently the other people lied on their loan application and the deal has fallen through." "YES!"
We spent 15 years in that wonderful little house, adding two more children. Many happy years. So glad I asked.
How has God answered your prayers?
Money (or the lack of it) was a real problem. The house we were selling was purchased on a government low-income program and we had been in it less than a year so there was nothing to put down on another one. And the job in Portland paid very little (but had the potential for more). In fact, when I called around to pre-qualify for a loan I was told I could spend $35,000. Even in 1989 that wouldn't buy a house in the metro area. I was in trouble.
There was only one thing that I was certain of as we faced these realities. We had to buy a house. I couldn't afford to rent, not with five little kids. Houses for rent were too much money for my meager budget; and what apartment complex would rent to someone with five kids even if I found one I could afford! So I had to buy a house.
I had no experience in such things and didn't know I was looking at the near-impossible. But, I had my new-found faith in asking God. (See previous post, I Didn't Believe It.) So I went to the Lord in prayer about my needs and desires regarding moving. Here is the list that I felt my family needed:
- 4 bedrooms
- 2 baths
- large kitchen (because all of my babies played around me constantly while I was working in there)
- I told the Lord the rest of the inside of the house didn't matter since I didn't really have much to put in it anyway
- large yard with no shade trees because I needed to grow a large garden in order to feed my family
- and could it be fenced, please, so I could contain my large brood
- a fruit tree, perhaps, to add to my food stores
- I also wanted the yard to be large and wide to put a little distance between me and my neighbors because people just aren't used to large families anymore, and I didn't want to annoy anyone.
Fred was working long hours and not available to help me house hunt so I asked Mom and Dad to go with me to Portland and help me find a house to buy. They had plenty of experience in such things and having them with me bolstered my confidence.
Well, long story short, my mother insisted that we look at houses right around the temple. Have you seen the houses around the temple?! Not $35,000. I had done enough research to know that if I lived way out of town I could find a fixer-upper for $35,000. There were a few out there. But, if you knew my mother, you would know that it is easier not to argue with her. So I humored her. There is an older neighborhood behind the temple so we drove around there. Still way out of my budget. But she spotted one for sale and insisted we look at it. Heavy sigh. Why waste the realtor's time? I CAN'T AFFORD THIS HOUSE! But, like I said, it is just easier not to try to out-stubborn my mother. So we called the realtor and asked to see the house. And the miracles began.
First miracle. Seeing the house. The realtor tried to call the listing agent. But no one answered the phone at their office. It was a large company in the metro area. What company doesn't answer their phone?! But they didn't. And good thing because it turns out the house was already sold and we never would have gone to look. But there was a lock-box on the house so the agent met us to let us in.
Miracle #2. I knew it was mine. The moment I stepped over the threshold of the little house I felt something inside tell me clearly that this was my home. It was strong enough that I wandered through the home and property thinking things like, "I wonder what my bedroom looks like."
Miracle #3. Everything I asked for. I was amazed to find this little house had everything I had asked God for. Four bedrooms, two baths. A large dream kitchen that was newly remodeled with tons of storage and work space....and pretty. Oh, how I loved that kitchen! The living room was tiny but it didn't really matter because I didn't have anything to put in it anyway. But the yard. Oh, the yard! That was a miracle all by itself. The house was in Lake Oswego which touts itself the city of trees. This property was probably the one property in town that had no shade trees but one lone apple tree in the corner....plenty of sun available for the garden I needed! And a fence! Not a pretty fence, mind you, but a fence. And a large piece of property, plenty of distance to the neighbors. And to mute the noise of my joyful children, the property backed the freeway which produced a sort-of constant ocean sound in the back. The kids could run, whoop, and holler all they wanted without the sound carrying in any annoying way to the neighbors. I felt like God had wrapped that house with a huge red bow to present as a gift. And it really was a gift. A gift of a place to live but also a spiritual gift of increasing my faith in God, His Might and Mercy, and in prayer. Oh, the comfort of prayer!
Miracle #4. The money to pay for it. The house was listed at $59,900. That was an inexpensive house in an expensive area. But it was still far more than I had the means for. After we finished our tour of the home we gathered in the kitchen to talk. Dad pulled out his trusty calculator and started doing some figuring. Finally he turned to me and asked if I could afford a certain amount each month. I can't remember the exact figure now but it was something like $684. That was within the budget I had planned and I told him I could. Then he told me that he would be the bank. He would buy the house and I would make my payments to him; and when we were situated well enough to be able to get a traditional mortgage, we could refinance and pay him off. We set it at the going rate of 10% interest. That was more than fair. It was a huge blessing and one I had not expected.
Miracle #5. The house became available. The realtor called to make our offer (they answered the phone this time!) only to be told that the house was sold. What a shock and disappointment. And I was confused. I knew what I felt as I entered that house. I knew it was mine. So what was happening? We spent the rest of the day house hunting but found nothing. With only a half hour left before my parents had to leave Portland, we were back in the realtor's office hoping for more listings. The phone rang and our realtor answered. Then we heard her say, "Well, you're in luck. They are standing right here." We gave her our full attention. She put her hand over the receiver and turned to us to ask, "Would you still like to make an offer on that first house? Apparently the other people lied on their loan application and the deal has fallen through." "YES!"
We spent 15 years in that wonderful little house, adding two more children. Many happy years. So glad I asked.
"Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."
2 Nephi 4:35, The Book of Mormon
How has God answered your prayers?
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
I Didn't Believe It
I have had a practice for years now of reading from the scriptures each morning before starting my day. They never get old, and I continue to learn something each time I am there. And, over the years I have learned to love them. I haven't always understood them. But I have come to love them. And I trust them. With so many conflicting voices and opinions in the world the scriptures give me a foundation I trust. I measure most things against what the scriptures have to say; and if there is a conflict, I go with the scriptures. That feels like the smart thing to do to me.
So you can imagine my shock when I read in Matthew 7:7-8 one day and realized I didn't believe it! Not a bit.
Ask, and it shall be given you? Well, I believed that prophets could ask and it would be given to them. Maybe some other people could have that, too. But, me? I don't think so. And that really bothered me. I really wrestled with this notion and I just couldn't find any place in me that actually believed such a thing.
Eventually, I did what I had been taught by my good mother to do. I knelt down beside my bed, with an agonizing heart, and prayed the simplest prayer that I have ever prayed. "Dear Father, Help Thou mine unbelief."
That was all He needed. My desire to be taught. My request. From that moment on He set out to show me that He means what He says. I didn't know it then but that moment on my knees opened a door to my own Pentecost of sorts. At least that is how I have come to think of the period of time that followed for me. (And I will write about that later.)
After that initial prayer to have my unbelief taken away, I figured that I would need to exercise faith in Him and His Word and give His promises a try.
Ask. And I would receive. Okay. (Said tentatively but with some little bit of hope.) I still remember the very first things I asked for. And I know they probably sound stupid but this is what I asked of the Lord.... Two things. At church I had never been asked to help in the kitchen for any of the many dinners I attended, and I wanted to be asked. So I prayed to be invited to help in the kitchen. And, the second thing was that I had never been asked to sing (perform) in church. I knew I had a good voice and could do it but no one ever asked me, although lots of other people were invited to share their talents. So I asked if I could sing in church. I love music that uplifts and praises God. My two requests of God: the kitchen and singing. Could there be two more random requests?
But, wow! God heard me! And I received! That very week I got two phone calls. One inviting me to sing a duet with another woman in church AND a phone call from the Relief Society president. I wish I remembered who the president was at the time so I could tell her, even today, so many years later, that she was inspired that day to answer a prayer. I'm sure she just thought she was trying to get things organized for a special dinner. She told me that the church's Relief Society General President was coming to visit our stake and asked me if I would help in the kitchen for the dinner they were putting on for her. I was never so happy to say yes. And humbled. Wow! God knew me! He heard me! He answered that prayer, that very timid prayer with the somewhat strange requests. But they had been the desires of my heart. And He knew it. Wow!
Do you think I went from unbelieving to believing?! You bet I did. I have never stopped asking since. And I will be writing about some of the experiences that I have had in asking and the miracles I have seen in my own life because of it.
God knows YOU! He loves you! And He is waiting to answer your prayers as He has answered mine. Ask.
So you can imagine my shock when I read in Matthew 7:7-8 one day and realized I didn't believe it! Not a bit.
7 ¶Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:Well, my little world was rocked! How could I not believe everything in the scriptures? After all, it is the word of God. But there it was staring me in the face and I didn't believe it.
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Ask, and it shall be given you? Well, I believed that prophets could ask and it would be given to them. Maybe some other people could have that, too. But, me? I don't think so. And that really bothered me. I really wrestled with this notion and I just couldn't find any place in me that actually believed such a thing.
Eventually, I did what I had been taught by my good mother to do. I knelt down beside my bed, with an agonizing heart, and prayed the simplest prayer that I have ever prayed. "Dear Father, Help Thou mine unbelief."
That was all He needed. My desire to be taught. My request. From that moment on He set out to show me that He means what He says. I didn't know it then but that moment on my knees opened a door to my own Pentecost of sorts. At least that is how I have come to think of the period of time that followed for me. (And I will write about that later.)
After that initial prayer to have my unbelief taken away, I figured that I would need to exercise faith in Him and His Word and give His promises a try.
Ask. And I would receive. Okay. (Said tentatively but with some little bit of hope.) I still remember the very first things I asked for. And I know they probably sound stupid but this is what I asked of the Lord.... Two things. At church I had never been asked to help in the kitchen for any of the many dinners I attended, and I wanted to be asked. So I prayed to be invited to help in the kitchen. And, the second thing was that I had never been asked to sing (perform) in church. I knew I had a good voice and could do it but no one ever asked me, although lots of other people were invited to share their talents. So I asked if I could sing in church. I love music that uplifts and praises God. My two requests of God: the kitchen and singing. Could there be two more random requests?
But, wow! God heard me! And I received! That very week I got two phone calls. One inviting me to sing a duet with another woman in church AND a phone call from the Relief Society president. I wish I remembered who the president was at the time so I could tell her, even today, so many years later, that she was inspired that day to answer a prayer. I'm sure she just thought she was trying to get things organized for a special dinner. She told me that the church's Relief Society General President was coming to visit our stake and asked me if I would help in the kitchen for the dinner they were putting on for her. I was never so happy to say yes. And humbled. Wow! God knew me! He heard me! He answered that prayer, that very timid prayer with the somewhat strange requests. But they had been the desires of my heart. And He knew it. Wow!
Do you think I went from unbelieving to believing?! You bet I did. I have never stopped asking since. And I will be writing about some of the experiences that I have had in asking and the miracles I have seen in my own life because of it.
God knows YOU! He loves you! And He is waiting to answer your prayers as He has answered mine. Ask.
Another Voice
So many voices.
Communication constant. It would be easy to spend all day on the internet taking in messages. Lots that is of interest. Much that is inane. Some that I prefer to delete or block. But voices everywhere 24-7.
I choose to be yet another voice.
Likely my voice will be lost in the sea of voices. The things I want to talk about are not terribly popular. But I'm going to talk about them anyway.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I believe He is my Savior. And my friend.
I have felt His Influence and His Presence in my life.
And the principles He taught are my north star.
I have some experiences to share.
At my age I have had long enough to accumulate quite a few. And I've had a lot of time to think about things. I think about the principles Jesus taught
a lot.
And I have wrestled with those principles a lot.
I haven't always been successful implementing them
but I can say that I have consistently come back to them again and again.
Because they work.
In them I have found peace of mind.
And hope.
They have challenged me.
And made me think.
They still challenge me.
And they always will, I suppose.
Anyway, I want to talk about some of those experiences.
I want to pose questions.
I told you it wasn't very popular.
But I'm gonna do it anyway.
Another Voice
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