A Prayerful Pause

Some days are hard for no reason at all.  Or at least no reason that I think is good enough.  And on some of these days I remember to pause, and to pray.  This doesn't always work.  Not because God isn't listening, but because I'm too busy letting myself be overwhelmed by my feelings.  I am feeling sorry for myself, or feeling unsure of what is best to do, and really just feeling so many things at once that I fail to stop, and really think of who I am talking to, how much He loves me, and how powerful He is.

Today, I remembered to stop, kneel down, and imagine myself going to talk to Heavenly Father.  Today I imagined myself crawling into heaven crying and begging Heavenly Father to just let my Savior hold me for a minute and tell me everything will be alright.  And I imagined Jesus doing just that.  And then, almost immediately, I knew that I was okay.  I remembered that it isn't my job to save the world.  That job has been taken care of.  I remembered that my Father in Heaven loves me and that He is never tired, or unsure.  I do not have to have the solutions because I know God, and when I come crawling, or running, or even just searching for Him, He is there waiting to help.

So, when my over the top feelings want to drown me, I am thankful that I can take a prayerful pause, and though I might begin by going to visit in my imagination, I get very real help from the Father who really did send Jesus to save me.

*Photo by Christian Widell on Unsplash

He Lives!

When Connor came home, President Simmons (The Stake President) had him give a thought.  Connor told us about trying to teach someone, and that person saying that there is no way to know if there is a God or not.  Connor's companion answered by saying that he didn't used to know there is a God, but now he does, and Connor testified that He also had learned that there is a God -- not having known before.

God is our Father and He knows our name.  He loves us individually and sent Jesus to save us.  He shows us His love by giving us commandments so we'll know the happy way to live.  He shows His love by sending a prophet to guide us, and by giving us a chance to repent.  He listens to us as individuals, and guides us individually.  Salvation is available to us all.  It is free.

As I have studied during Easter week, and as I have welcomed home a son, it has been good to remember, and to hear that Jesus not only lived -- He lives.  He knows me.  He suffered a lot so that I would be able to come home and so that I can be resurrected too. 

"...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God ..."  (2nd Nephi 26: 33).

Jesus is my Savior, and yours.  He lives!