My Anxious Load

I woke up this morning feeling discouraged and depressed. I've been down that road so many times and I just don't want to go there anymore. I prayed and it seemed like I was not getting anywhere. Why did I feel so overwhelmed? I started making a list of things that were on my mind. As I wrote, I recognized that these were things I had been hoping and praying and thinking about--and trying to figure out--for a long time. They were righteous desires, but mostly out-of-my-control. They were taking so much of my time and attention. I felt lost and couldn't move forward. I knew I had to let them go. They were paralyzing me and shutting me down. This phrase came to my mind--



It helped when I realized I didn't have to give up my hopes and dreams--I could give it all to God and He would take care of it. Just like a little girl asks her parents to hold all her stuff and goes off to play and explore. God wanted me to be free to try new ideas and see all the possibilities. It was remarkable how fast I began to feel better. I felt lighter! It was like I was setting down a heavy burden. I actually opened my hands and tried to visualize letting these things go.

I felt relieved, but hesitant. Was it really okay to let these things go? Then Heavenly Father answered my prayers, as He so often does, by bringing the words of a hymn to my mind--

"I'll drop my burden at His feet and bear a song away."

Yes! God will give us a song when we give Him our burdens! Isn't that a great exchange?

This is the song He gave me--

How Gentle God's Commands by Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751

How gentle God's commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord
And trust his constant care.

Beneath his watchful eye,
His Saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard his children well.

Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heavenly Father's throne
And sweet refreshment find.

His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I'll drop my burden at his feet
And bear a song away.

Gifts of God

We got to attend the baptism of a great 8-yr.-old friend this morning! It was wonderful!



It got me thinking about the many gifts Heavenly Father gives to His children. I know He delights to bless us! He gave us the gift of His Son Jesus Christ so we could come to earth to learn from our experiences, repent when we make mistakes, and be resurrected and return to live with Him after this life. He gave us the gift of agency so we could choose for ourselves whether to follow Him or turn away.  He gave us the gift of prayer, of families, of the gospel. He gives us gifts every day--that's what this blog is all about!



Today I'm especially grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I always feel the Holy Ghost when I attend a baptism. I love how Alma explains the covenant of baptism in the Book of Mormon:

"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts." ~Mosiah 18:8-11

 

I also want to clap my hands for joy! This is the desire of my heart! I'm so happy I could be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I'm thankful I get to go to church tomorrow and renew my baptismal covenant as I take the sacrament. I know I will feel the Holy Ghost testify to my heart that Jesus and Heavenly Father love me. I can feel the Holy Ghost even now.

"Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." ~Alma 26:16

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." ~2 Cor. 9:15

You're delicious!

That's what's written on my Dove dark chocolate wrapper just now. (Dark chocolate and several "premium all natural whole almonds" are a treasure!) I like the idea that I'm delicious! One dictionary defines delicious as "1. highly pleasing to the senses, especially to taste or smell  2. very pleasing; delightful." I want to be delicious!



How does one become delicious? I'm reminded of a favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon:

"Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." ~Alma 32:28

In a Sunday School lesson I taught recently on the importance of scripture study, we talked about how important it is to nourish our spirits as well as our bodies. One young man said he likes to come to church because he can tell he is getting "soul food" that really "hits the spot." I love that! We can nourish our spirits with delicious soul food! We can help nourish others as we become delicious through feasting on God's word!

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." ~2 Nephi 32:3

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." ~Isaiah 55:2 (see also 2 Nephi 9:51)

God's word is delicious! He is pleased and delighted when we read it! We will become delicious as we study, follow, and share His word with others.

Treasure of Eternal Value

Just had to post this picture by SugarDoodle since this blog is all about true treasures!
I know Pres. Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet! I'm so thankful Heavenly Father has called him to lead and guide us! You can read his talk here - http://tinyurl.com/58kxlr

Be still...

It's a beautiful spring day here in the Ozarks! I went for a long walk earlier and it was so good to get outside and breathe the fresh air! I loved watching the clouds move across the sky and seeing the contrast of light and color.

I stopped at the school playground and went for a swing. It was exhilarating! Isn't it wonderful that our bodies can power such a ride?

I resisted the voice in my head that kept nagging that I needed to be doing something more productive. It's easier for me to get busy than it is to take time to ponder and reflect. I sat at a picnic table and prayed. I felt God near. I'm thankful I could take time
to be still.

"Be still, and know that I am God..." ~Psalm 46:10

I especially liked seeing the many maple seeds spin like miniature helicopters through the air! What a fun reminder of God's love!
 

 

Did you know you can EAT maple seeds?! Check it out:
http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Maple-Seeds

Here are some other good websites about maple seeds:
Origami Maple Seed
Maple Seed Helicopters
Flying Maple Seeds
 

Time Flies!

I just looked out my window and noticed all the cars and people coming to the football field for high school graduation tonight. I feel oddly detached from the event because I don't know anyone who is graduating. Even though we live right next to the high school and just a short distance from the elementary school, we homeschool our children. Most of the people we go to church with also homeschool or live in a different school district. Our oldest son did take a computer class at the high school this year and liked it very much. But that's not my point...

What I'm thinking about is how fast time goes by! It reminds me of a song called "Improve the Shining Moments" by Robert B. Baird. The 2nd verse goes like this--

          Time flies on wings of lightning;

          We cannot call it back.

          It comes, then passes forward

          Along its onward track.

          And if we are not mindful,

          The chance will fade away,

          For life is quick in passing.

          'Tis as a single day.

 

I can't believe it's been almost 6 months since my last post! This is no way to write a blog! Who do I think I am anyway? Well, that kind of self-talk won't get me anywhere!

 

It's true that we cannot call time back, but it's also true that we don't need to live in a hurry! It's okay to slow down! This painting and poem by Greg Olsen illustrate this beautifully (notice the cute little chipmunk!) --

 

 

TAKE MY HAND by Greg Olsen - 2008

Take my hand and follow me,
There are things ahead for you to see.

Little wonders are all around,
And tender mercies to be found.

We’ll take our time, no need to run,
Breathe deep the air and feel the sun.

The grass is soft beneath our feet,
Sounds are soothing, the air is sweet.

Sometimes we’ll stop and just be still,
Our hearts will tell us God is real!

Small graces along our path appear,
They let us know that Heaven’s near.

So take my hand anew each day,
The walk is lovely and I know the way.

__________________________

 

I'm thankful to know that my Savior is always there for me and "his hand is stretched out still (Isaiah 5:25)." He doesn't want me to regret the past, but move forward with faith. He loves me and has many gifts for me to receive and use.

 

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life (1 Ne. 31:20)."

Here's a little quote my Grandpa told me--
 

          Yesterday is history;

          Tomorrow is a mystery;

          Today is a GIFT--

               that's why we call it the PRESENT!