Of greatest assurance in God’s plan is that a Savior was promised, a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only an appreciation of this divine love that will make our own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable, and finally redemptive.
This comment has been on my mind as I try to do what my body needs to heal, knowing that there is value also in the pain and the process. (For the record, when I speak of healing, I am referring "only" to damaged ligaments and a chronic headache... What was easy to overcome in my twenties is not so easy anymore - but age brings wisdom, so I'm willing to take it slow rather than give up what I know.) It is teaching me to recognize and be grateful for answered prayers. It is teaching me faith and patience. It is teaching me how to fill my quiet, resting hours with things that are virtuous, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy. And it is teaching me to trust my Father, knowing that this experience will be for my eternal good. With His help, I will be a better woman for what I am learning.
Another favorite quote comes from Elder Russell M. Nelson:
Recently I heard a chorus of children sing the beloved song “I Am a Child of God.” I wondered, “Why haven’t I heard that song rendered more often by singing mothers or faithful fathers?” Are we not all children of God? In truth, not one of us can ever stop being a child of God!
Today in Stake Conference, we sang this beautiful hymn. It was pretty awesome. The primary children were on the stand, with about 8 little ones playing their violins. Those children led us in singing these simple words:
I am a child of God
and He has sent me here,
has given me an earthly home
with parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me,
walk beside me,
help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
to live with Him someday.
I felt like after we sang that opening hymn and then heard the Primary children sing "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" that we had been edified so much that I could have gone home happy even without the other hour and 45 minutes worth of talks and music. (That part was good too, for the record. But the first ten minutes were pretty wonderful.)
Last night, during the evening session of Stake Conference, my friend The Opera Singer performed a beautiful rendition of "More Holiness Give Me". It reminded me of the first quote I shared by Elder Holland, and gave the Spirit an opportunity to teach me. Later in the meeting, a member of our Stake Presidency shared that same quote in his talk, and I felt that my Father in Heaven wanted me to know that He knows what I'm feeling and what I'm experiencing. I felt His love.
You'd never guess it by what I just shared, but the theme of our conference was on "Hastening the Work" and how we can be better missionaries to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those around us. It's pretty incredible to think of all the Lord is doing to move His work forward to prepare the world for His Second Coming. And we get to be a part of it!
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