Ponder This...

Justice

I am quickly sinking

Into a deep black hole.

“Why is it I must suffer, God,

When another lacks control?”

My life would be so different

If only my sins mattered;

Instead I’m being punished…

My world’s completely shattered

“Yes, child, you are sinking,

But it’s not your only choice.

Reach for my hand, hold onto me,

Just listen to my voice.

I understand your thinking,

But you must try to see;

My suffering in Gethsemane…

That was for you, not me.”

When we suffer because of someone else’s choices, the world would tell us to seek revenge and soak ourselves in anger and self pity. But the Savior, who knows all too well about suffering because of other’s choices, encourages us to let go of the anger and self pity, and turn to Him for lessons in forgiveness and for the healing of our hearts.

An Object Lesson

Inseparable

High expectations

Deep, dazzling blue;

Firmly committed,

Most logical too!

Soft, silky, pink

Undoubtedly bright;

Great organizer,

Loves being right!

Both are amazing

With talent and style;

Separate they’re great,

But there’s no denial

When they’re put together

A bright purple hue,

With God there’s no limit

To what they can do.

In a demonstration at a Stake Women’s conference, a sister mixed blue and pink water together. It turned purple and she reminded us no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t separate that blue water from the pink; it was permanent. So it should be, she said, with our marriage relationships.

Symbolism

Bread and Water
A spirit ridden with hunger

And desperate eager thirst,

Withers thin and listless

Beleaguered by a curse.

And wrestling a sure demise

With hopeless desperation,

Crumbles into darkness thick

Without promise or salvation.

But in turning to the Savior,

There is nourishment for the soul;

And the wounded, broken spirit

Is once again made whole.

I read in Isaiah 30:20:
"And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers (footnote says HEBREW thy teacher; i.e. the LORD) be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers.

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it (footnote says walking with God), when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left".

I was intrigued by the words "bread of adversity and water of affliction". The spirit taught me it was very symbolic. Physically bread and water are absolutely essential in sustaining life. In John 6:35 we read that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life "He that cometh to me shall never hunger - He that believeth in me shall never thirst". It is not enough to go to Him...we must believe. Without following, believing in and becoming like the Savior we cannot survive spiritually. If we are faithful here, in this earth life, we will obtain the reward of eternal life...life with God...the blessing of being all that God is and having all that God has. But, with that blessing that we all look forward to, comes great responsibility that we cannot be prepared for without adversity and affliction. The bread of adversity and the water of affliction are absolutely essential to our being able to reach our full potential...in becoming who God knows we can become.

Something To Think About

Connection

Only moments ago

I wondered who you were;

Now that I am holding you

My heart begins to stir.

Suddenly I recognize

Now that we’re together,

I would give up everything

To be with you forever.

When our third child was born, we had only been at the hospital for 2 1/2 hours before he made his grand entrance into the world. My doctor was out of town and the doctor on call could not be reached. A doctor who’d come in to deliver another baby was quickly made aware of my situation, and as he came sauntering into the room, I hollered "get over here now!" He took 3 quick steps, barely got his gloves on, and arrived just in time to catch our son, newly departed from heaven. It was 12:50am. Before long, the doctor left to take care of the other birth; the nurse quickly got me settled before she hurried on to finish her rounds, Charles went home to get some much needed rest and I was left all alone with that sweet little giant of a spirit. It was a most amazing experience.

I'm Back

I've been out of town...thus the reason for my delay in posting for the past week. It's good to be back home.

A Humbling Thought

Infinite Worth

In a moment of reflection

My heart begins to pound,

As I ponder deeply

A bit of truth profound;

That God, who is almighty,

And reigns in heaven above,

Would claim me as His child

For whom He feels great love.

There is no hesitation;

I need not prove my worth–

Though I am one of billions

That He has sent to earth.

His power knows no boundary

And we are far apart.

Yet, for Him to lose me

Would surely break His heart.