IAT = I am thankful
Originally, I wanted to write a post about how Latter-Day Saints ("Mormons") feel about grace. Except, as I listen to my peeps talk about grace, I find I disagree sometimes with what they say they believe. Not because they are wrong, but because of the emphasis. And this emphasis breaks down into a semantics problem when "Mormons" and other Christians talk about grace. We tend to get caught up in the works thing and what it actually does or does not do for us. Can I state unequivocally here that "Mormons" believe in grace. It is THE ONLY THING that saves us. Works are necessary. They come from the heart. They don't save us. There. I said it.
We had a great talk in church yesterday by Brother Richins about grace, and I agreed completely. Anyway, I thought I had given a talk about grace, and found my talk on Easter, which is actually completely woven with the concept of grace, but not explained or defined. So, I posted that on the articles/talks page. It's titled Easter and was given, I think in April of 2007 in our local ward.
But, I also decided to go to www.lds.org and look up the topic of grace and the first article I read was exceptional. You can read that here. I think it is an excellent and thorough explanation of the LDS belief in grace. I really enjoyed it. I hope you will too.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
What is YOUR husband complaining about?
IAT=I am thankful, and IAT for the wisdom of other blogs.
About nine years ago, I started a Yahoo group. It was for LDS types who were a little on the peculiar side. Like those that home school, don't immunize their children, or use alternative medicine more than see a doctor. I have not always been in all of those groups at once, but I'm pretty peculiar for an already peculiar group. Early into that group, a "friend" joined. I did not know we'd one day be friends in real life. But I like her. She likes me. And I also like her kids and husband. Her husband was released as bishop of their ward last year. That was another thing to like her for. On the rare occasion that being the wife of a bishop gets a little hard to bear, I had a comrade who understood. Well, this is her husband the former bishop, "guest blogging" for me. Ok, I liked his post and asked if I could share. Thanks Mike!
Wives, what is your husband's biggest complaint about you? Read on. And husbands, you might be surprised at the solution.
I have to say that, with little exception, husbands who came to see me as bishop were respectful of their wives. They honored them in spite of their difficulties with them, or weaknesses in their marriages. I was always very impressed by this.
Though they were respectful, one complaint emerged as the most common one offered across the bishop's desk.
This is what it was. Sometimes wives could get almost entirely focused on the negative aspects of a situation or a person, especially those of her husband or children, and close friends or relatives. This negative focus could turn into long, painful bouts of bitter criticism and stinging complaint.
Men, to be sure, do this, too. But I have seen or heard of it coming from women more often than from men.
This is pretty discouraging to men. Little, I think, is more discouraging to them. Some men put up a wall of resistance and engage in defensive arguments with their wives. Others turn off their ear drums and drift into silence. In both situations, most men build up walls of confused resentment. I say confused because few men understand where this bitterness comes from or what to do about it. Most men just write off the behavior and say, "She's just that way."
The fact is that nearly all women can be "that way" at one time or another, some more than others. And it's not just because of a monthly hormonal imbalance, either. It goes deeper than that. Much deeper.
I don't know or understand every women's situation—of course not—but I have seen this behavior in enough marriages that I can offer a little insight. These bouts with negativity and bitterness occur in women when their deepest needs are not being met, when they are not getting the attention or respect they deserve, or when they do not feel completely loved for who they are. Some feel judged, others ignored. Whatever the case, they are unhappy and unfulfilled.
Sometimes I think the clamor is an attempt (usually unconscious) to get attention. Observe children and you'll know that they'll sometimes do just about anything to get attention, be it positive or negative. If we don't get enough positive attention in our lives, especially from spouse and family, we can wilt and shrivel. And we'll take negative attention over no attention. I think this is what is at the core of the negativity I have seen in a lot of marriages.
Let's start with the opposite end of the spectrum, with a wife who feels loved, honored, respected and cherished, and who, most importantly, loves herself. When this is the case, you will see little of bitterness and complaining. The poison well just dries up. A wife who has these needs fulfilled consistently is less likely to be overcome with negativity. If her spouse is showing her love and honor and respect consistently, and she is still angry and negative most of the time, well, there often is something else going on.
Although there may be a logical reason behind these negative emotions, there is a higher standard for expressing them. For example, in the epistle to the Ephesians we read:
One of the reasons we feel a need to "vent" is because we hold in our feelings so long that they start to rot and fester. If you are a stuffer, you are going to suffer. Don't stuff your feelings. Let them out, but not on the tip of a dagger.
What about a husband who does his level best to show his wife his love, honor and respect, on a regular basis, and she is still bitter and unhappy. Often when this is the case, there is something troubling going on. Something more profound and personal that may not involve the husband that much. It might have something to do with a past relationship or experience where feelings are unresolved and the wife takes it out on her husband. Or it might be something worse, like an addiction, a serious transgression, a grave temptation, or past abuse. I have the greatest respect for those husbands who patiently endure marriages where the relationship is dominated by their wives' negative or unresolved emotions. Happy is the man who learns how to help his wife untangle her feelings, get them out in the open, and start finding ways to communicate positively.
My wife sometimes says to me,"You can't make me happy" meaning that she realizes that it is her choice to be happy, no matter what anyone else does or says. When she says that, I usually quip, "But I can do more for your happiness than any other person on the planet." I think we are both right.
My advice to husbands and wives was always to keep their covenants at all cost. The covenants you make in holy places are primarily between you and God. You can keep those covenants, no matter what someone else says or does, or doesn't say or do. But I also know that there are times when a marriage becomes unendurable if your spouse is involved in repeated infidelity, or evil, abusive, or even criminal behavior.
Whatever the case, I would err on the side of kindness and mercy and patience. I would give my spouse as many chances to get it right as I would want for myself. (But there is a limit in extreme cases.)
Finally, here is a little test for husbands. If you find that your wife is more negative than positive, ask yourself these questions and what you might do differently:
I work pretty hard at this and I can tell you that I am among the happiest married men I know. I really am. Yes, we have our moments, but they pass quickly. Since I believe I am in charge of my own happiness, I throw a lot of forward passes and play very little defense. I hope your wife responds as tenderly and lovingly as my wife does to me. If she does, you will be a very happy man as well.
P.S. I know there are exceptions (read my disclaimer). If you cannot find peace and happiness in your relationship with your wife, I would seek for counseling and other help. If you are at a total impasse, and both of you are in a degree of misery, then I pray that you will find a way to break free of the patterns that bind you.
About nine years ago, I started a Yahoo group. It was for LDS types who were a little on the peculiar side. Like those that home school, don't immunize their children, or use alternative medicine more than see a doctor. I have not always been in all of those groups at once, but I'm pretty peculiar for an already peculiar group. Early into that group, a "friend" joined. I did not know we'd one day be friends in real life. But I like her. She likes me. And I also like her kids and husband. Her husband was released as bishop of their ward last year. That was another thing to like her for. On the rare occasion that being the wife of a bishop gets a little hard to bear, I had a comrade who understood. Well, this is her husband the former bishop, "guest blogging" for me. Ok, I liked his post and asked if I could share. Thanks Mike!
Wives, what is your husband's biggest complaint about you? Read on. And husbands, you might be surprised at the solution.
The Number One Complaint I Heard from Husbands
Though they were respectful, one complaint emerged as the most common one offered across the bishop's desk.
This is what it was. Sometimes wives could get almost entirely focused on the negative aspects of a situation or a person, especially those of her husband or children, and close friends or relatives. This negative focus could turn into long, painful bouts of bitter criticism and stinging complaint.
Men, to be sure, do this, too. But I have seen or heard of it coming from women more often than from men.
This is pretty discouraging to men. Little, I think, is more discouraging to them. Some men put up a wall of resistance and engage in defensive arguments with their wives. Others turn off their ear drums and drift into silence. In both situations, most men build up walls of confused resentment. I say confused because few men understand where this bitterness comes from or what to do about it. Most men just write off the behavior and say, "She's just that way."
The fact is that nearly all women can be "that way" at one time or another, some more than others. And it's not just because of a monthly hormonal imbalance, either. It goes deeper than that. Much deeper.
I don't know or understand every women's situation—of course not—but I have seen this behavior in enough marriages that I can offer a little insight. These bouts with negativity and bitterness occur in women when their deepest needs are not being met, when they are not getting the attention or respect they deserve, or when they do not feel completely loved for who they are. Some feel judged, others ignored. Whatever the case, they are unhappy and unfulfilled.
Sometimes I think the clamor is an attempt (usually unconscious) to get attention. Observe children and you'll know that they'll sometimes do just about anything to get attention, be it positive or negative. If we don't get enough positive attention in our lives, especially from spouse and family, we can wilt and shrivel. And we'll take negative attention over no attention. I think this is what is at the core of the negativity I have seen in a lot of marriages.
Let's start with the opposite end of the spectrum, with a wife who feels loved, honored, respected and cherished, and who, most importantly, loves herself. When this is the case, you will see little of bitterness and complaining. The poison well just dries up. A wife who has these needs fulfilled consistently is less likely to be overcome with negativity. If her spouse is showing her love and honor and respect consistently, and she is still angry and negative most of the time, well, there often is something else going on.
Although there may be a logical reason behind these negative emotions, there is a higher standard for expressing them. For example, in the epistle to the Ephesians we read:
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.I think we should all be free to express ourselves, openly and honestly, but without the adornment of anger and bitterness. If anything is coming out of your mouth that is not edifying, that is not building others up, then the devil has power in your life. If you are blaming others for your unhappiness, you are laying your power at the feet of an idol.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:29–32.)
And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. (D&C 50:23)I trust the Word of the Lord to guide me. I don't let darkness have power in my life. (I have dark moments, but I don't let them last long.) I can say what I need to say without holding back, but I say it with respect and kindness. If I imagine that Christ is part of every conversation I have (and He is whether I recognize it or not), I have learned that I can say anything I have to say to anyone with grace and honor.
One of the reasons we feel a need to "vent" is because we hold in our feelings so long that they start to rot and fester. If you are a stuffer, you are going to suffer. Don't stuff your feelings. Let them out, but not on the tip of a dagger.
What about a husband who does his level best to show his wife his love, honor and respect, on a regular basis, and she is still bitter and unhappy. Often when this is the case, there is something troubling going on. Something more profound and personal that may not involve the husband that much. It might have something to do with a past relationship or experience where feelings are unresolved and the wife takes it out on her husband. Or it might be something worse, like an addiction, a serious transgression, a grave temptation, or past abuse. I have the greatest respect for those husbands who patiently endure marriages where the relationship is dominated by their wives' negative or unresolved emotions. Happy is the man who learns how to help his wife untangle her feelings, get them out in the open, and start finding ways to communicate positively.
My wife sometimes says to me,"You can't make me happy" meaning that she realizes that it is her choice to be happy, no matter what anyone else does or says. When she says that, I usually quip, "But I can do more for your happiness than any other person on the planet." I think we are both right.
My advice to husbands and wives was always to keep their covenants at all cost. The covenants you make in holy places are primarily between you and God. You can keep those covenants, no matter what someone else says or does, or doesn't say or do. But I also know that there are times when a marriage becomes unendurable if your spouse is involved in repeated infidelity, or evil, abusive, or even criminal behavior.
Whatever the case, I would err on the side of kindness and mercy and patience. I would give my spouse as many chances to get it right as I would want for myself. (But there is a limit in extreme cases.)
Finally, here is a little test for husbands. If you find that your wife is more negative than positive, ask yourself these questions and what you might do differently:
- How often do you plan and take your wife on a date?
- Do you read the scriptures together as a family or as a couple regularly?
- Can you admit that you are wrong and sincerely apologize?
- Do you pray together as a family or couple on a daily basis?
- When was the last time you went to the temple together?
- Do you ever offer to give your wife a break and send her away for an evening while you clean up after dinner and get the kids to bed?
- Do you sincerely compliment your wife or tell her honestly that you love her every day?
I work pretty hard at this and I can tell you that I am among the happiest married men I know. I really am. Yes, we have our moments, but they pass quickly. Since I believe I am in charge of my own happiness, I throw a lot of forward passes and play very little defense. I hope your wife responds as tenderly and lovingly as my wife does to me. If she does, you will be a very happy man as well.
P.S. I know there are exceptions (read my disclaimer). If you cannot find peace and happiness in your relationship with your wife, I would seek for counseling and other help. If you are at a total impasse, and both of you are in a degree of misery, then I pray that you will find a way to break free of the patterns that bind you.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I am SOOOO thankful for prayer and natural remedies
IAT = I am thankful
Even though I went to bed grief stricken over tragedies in the lives of some of my friends, I woke up to the sound of laughter. My head just coming out of grogginess was trying to compute laughter. Where is it? Who is it? Why is it waking me up? :-) After a few seconds of thawing, I realized it was my children outside my window, and there could be only one thing they were laughing about...puppies. I leaped out of bed. Could it be possibly they were laughing about PUPPIES and not a puppy?
Sure enough. Little Oliver was up and about, with a little bit of pep and some happiness back in him. I ran for the rejected cottage cheese and egg from last night. He semi turned his nose up, but looked like he might think twice, so I called Sammy over and let Oliver see Sammy eating HIS breakfast. That's all it took. The kids pulled Sammy back and Oliver began eating. Hallelujah. That skinny little thing...I don't know how he could go much longer without food. Sammy kept breaking away and nosing in and Oliver did not like that one bit.
He growled at him! I've never been so happy to see an animal exhibit selfishness. We tried to give him some liver and he didn't want that. But Sammy was thrilled to eat it.
Oliver had barely raised his head since Sunday morning. Yesterday, out of desperation, I took him to the vet. I think that saved his life. They gave him a 20% chance and I actually considered having him put down. Noah and I cried. But they made him comfortable by giving him antibiotics, a shot of anti-nausea medication, and subcutaneous fluids under his skin. He was able to drink more fluids yesterday because of that and seemed in better spirits last night, but still worrisome.
I am REALLY grateful for the following Parvo puppy website:
Parvo Puppies
Ultimately, I think they are the ones who saved his life. I scanned the page the first time I saw it. I knew he needed water. But, then I saw that they were using some alternative things to save their puppies. I've been studying herbal and natural therapies for 25 years now, so I'd say 75% of the time, when anyone in my family is sick, I know exactly what to do. Doctors are a last resort in our house.
I instantly had all kinds of herbs come to mind and what to give. I made an herbal preparation from comfrey, alfalfa, peppermint, and raspberry leaf. I added some homeopathic flu and nausea remedies. And I also poured in just a little raw apple cider vinegar, and colloidal silver for anti-viral, and antibiotic properties. I put this in a water bottle with a goat nipple and had Olivia give it to him. She was amazing over two days getting him to take several cups of that fluid. I am sure much of it came back up, but Olivia was a part in saving this little puppy's life.
We could not get him to eat. And I could not take him on Monday to the vet. We just limped him through. So, after the vet visit, we were driving home from Safford and I was wondering what else we could do. And the words "essential oils" came to mind. I have limited experience with essential oils, but I thought maybe peppermint for his tummy, and there must be one for infections. I called Michelle since she knows much more about that than me, and she also recommended peppermint and maybe frankincense. My friend Kally sells essential oils in her store, and I thought I should probably pick her brain too. So, I made a u turn and headed back and came out with Spice Traders which is for infections and slippery elm tea. Thanks to Monika for that one.
Very long, detailed story later, I had Noah rub the oils on Oliver's tummy. And we are now rubbing them on Sammy for prevention. I will be making some slippery elm tea for his tummy, since Parvo makes them shed the lining and that will be soothing. I made some oatmeal with garlic and chicken and raw egg in it and just took it out to him and he gobbled several spoonfuls. The rest of course went to Sammy. Fingers crossed that he won't get Parvo. (If you have puppies, please don't come near our house. It's highly contagious and transfers easily.)
So, there is the whole story with our bout with Parvo. I'd say he is out of the woods, but we still need to watch him closely for a relapse. And if he does, I'll head right back to the vet so they can help again and get him through until he is back to his totally happy self. Oh, I'm so grateful we are not having a puppy funeral. And thank you to every one who said prayers. I know this.
A final thought. I so appreciated on the Parvo website, their counsel to think positive. They said if you think your puppy will die, he will think he is going to die too. If you think he will live, he probably will. From the time I suspected Parvo, I thought he was a goner. When the vet said 20% chance, I thought maybe we should put him down. And I just heard in my head, "NO! Give him a chance." So, I changed my thought. I asked what the vet could do for him, and let them do that. And then when the thought came about the essential oils, I felt hope. And from that time on, I felt we should believe in the chance that he could be restored.
And he was. Thank you Father!!!!
Even though I went to bed grief stricken over tragedies in the lives of some of my friends, I woke up to the sound of laughter. My head just coming out of grogginess was trying to compute laughter. Where is it? Who is it? Why is it waking me up? :-) After a few seconds of thawing, I realized it was my children outside my window, and there could be only one thing they were laughing about...puppies. I leaped out of bed. Could it be possibly they were laughing about PUPPIES and not a puppy?
Oliver is the little one up front. He is not this small anymore.
Sammy is back right.
Sure enough. Little Oliver was up and about, with a little bit of pep and some happiness back in him. I ran for the rejected cottage cheese and egg from last night. He semi turned his nose up, but looked like he might think twice, so I called Sammy over and let Oliver see Sammy eating HIS breakfast. That's all it took. The kids pulled Sammy back and Oliver began eating. Hallelujah. That skinny little thing...I don't know how he could go much longer without food. Sammy kept breaking away and nosing in and Oliver did not like that one bit.
He growled at him! I've never been so happy to see an animal exhibit selfishness. We tried to give him some liver and he didn't want that. But Sammy was thrilled to eat it.
Oliver had barely raised his head since Sunday morning. Yesterday, out of desperation, I took him to the vet. I think that saved his life. They gave him a 20% chance and I actually considered having him put down. Noah and I cried. But they made him comfortable by giving him antibiotics, a shot of anti-nausea medication, and subcutaneous fluids under his skin. He was able to drink more fluids yesterday because of that and seemed in better spirits last night, but still worrisome.
I am REALLY grateful for the following Parvo puppy website:
Parvo Puppies
Ultimately, I think they are the ones who saved his life. I scanned the page the first time I saw it. I knew he needed water. But, then I saw that they were using some alternative things to save their puppies. I've been studying herbal and natural therapies for 25 years now, so I'd say 75% of the time, when anyone in my family is sick, I know exactly what to do. Doctors are a last resort in our house.
I instantly had all kinds of herbs come to mind and what to give. I made an herbal preparation from comfrey, alfalfa, peppermint, and raspberry leaf. I added some homeopathic flu and nausea remedies. And I also poured in just a little raw apple cider vinegar, and colloidal silver for anti-viral, and antibiotic properties. I put this in a water bottle with a goat nipple and had Olivia give it to him. She was amazing over two days getting him to take several cups of that fluid. I am sure much of it came back up, but Olivia was a part in saving this little puppy's life.
We could not get him to eat. And I could not take him on Monday to the vet. We just limped him through. So, after the vet visit, we were driving home from Safford and I was wondering what else we could do. And the words "essential oils" came to mind. I have limited experience with essential oils, but I thought maybe peppermint for his tummy, and there must be one for infections. I called Michelle since she knows much more about that than me, and she also recommended peppermint and maybe frankincense. My friend Kally sells essential oils in her store, and I thought I should probably pick her brain too. So, I made a u turn and headed back and came out with Spice Traders which is for infections and slippery elm tea. Thanks to Monika for that one.
Very long, detailed story later, I had Noah rub the oils on Oliver's tummy. And we are now rubbing them on Sammy for prevention. I will be making some slippery elm tea for his tummy, since Parvo makes them shed the lining and that will be soothing. I made some oatmeal with garlic and chicken and raw egg in it and just took it out to him and he gobbled several spoonfuls. The rest of course went to Sammy. Fingers crossed that he won't get Parvo. (If you have puppies, please don't come near our house. It's highly contagious and transfers easily.)
So, there is the whole story with our bout with Parvo. I'd say he is out of the woods, but we still need to watch him closely for a relapse. And if he does, I'll head right back to the vet so they can help again and get him through until he is back to his totally happy self. Oh, I'm so grateful we are not having a puppy funeral. And thank you to every one who said prayers. I know this.
"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12: 7
A final thought. I so appreciated on the Parvo website, their counsel to think positive. They said if you think your puppy will die, he will think he is going to die too. If you think he will live, he probably will. From the time I suspected Parvo, I thought he was a goner. When the vet said 20% chance, I thought maybe we should put him down. And I just heard in my head, "NO! Give him a chance." So, I changed my thought. I asked what the vet could do for him, and let them do that. And then when the thought came about the essential oils, I felt hope. And from that time on, I felt we should believe in the chance that he could be restored.
And he was. Thank you Father!!!!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
IAT for Common Sense
IAT = I am thankful
I don't care what race you are, Mayor Nutter is right. Every parent should be parenting with these simple common sense ideas. The only thing he left out is music. In our home, we have the "as long as you are in my house" mentality. It seems to work. Teens ought to watch this too.
I don't care what race you are, Mayor Nutter is right. Every parent should be parenting with these simple common sense ideas. The only thing he left out is music. In our home, we have the "as long as you are in my house" mentality. It seems to work. Teens ought to watch this too.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
IAT for Synchronicity!
IAT = I am thankful
syn·chro·nic·i·ty
syn·chro·nic·i·ty
noun \ˌsiŋ-krə-ˈni-sə-tē, ˌsin-\
plural syn·chro·nic·i·ties
SYNCHRONICITY
1
: the quality or fact of being synchronous
2
: the coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality —used especially in the psychology of C. G. Jung
Only 3 days ago, we were in Mesa in the food court of one of the malls. They have the tv screens with music videos playing. I don't care for them, but hey that's ok. So, on the screen came a concert ad for Josh Groban. How I love his voice! It mentioned to purchase tickets in your city. I turned to the Bish and said, "if he ever comes to "town" (ha! 4 hours away), I really want to see him in concert. I haven't been to a concert in ages. I don't think I've been to one while I've lived in Arizona.
Going to a Josh Groban concert would require three things, none of which I thought of at the moment. A paycheck. Josh coming to Phoenix, and tickets. Had I looked it up and seen the cost of the tickets, I probably would have dismissed it. But, I didn't think about it again until I got on facebook this afternoon after a long day of real estate...AND...a paycheck. Scanning the home page, I saw that a friend had posted a half hour earlier that she needed to get rid of 2 JG tickets. Sweet! In the process I found out that he'd be in Phoenix next Friday. Did I say SWEET?
I believe when I get a check I should celebrate and splurge on something. Fortunately I had not picked my splurge yet. Sooooo, I asked the Bish, rearranged something in my schedule and decided to get them. It's really ridiculous, but I also felt like, if that was something I had just uttered from my lips, and it was dropped in my lap, I should do it. I know I will really enjoy it. So, next week, I am going to Josh Groban with my dear hubby. Woohoo!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
IAT for Brokenness
IAT = I am thankful
So, this morning, on my walk, I thought I'd just listen to music. I usually listen to a favorite book or Philosopher's Notes. Hillary Weeks happened to be ready to go on the ipod. I was listening to her on our way home last night, because my family was listening to comedy and I couldn't read a novel. So, I know her music well enough that I could ignore it and still read my novel. :-) So, this morning I was overcome with the beauty of the desert, the serenity of my walk, and the beautiful strains of music coming through the headphones.
I wish I had every Hillary Weeks album. This one is called Lead Me Home and I've practically worn it out. Most of the songs are amazing. And I love her alto voice. As I listened to the heart felt words and notes, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for the times I have been broken. That may seem kind of weird. But my brokenness has brought me to humility, divinity, and grace.
I'm a pretty independent kind of gal. Even when I should be praying for strength, I often think, "ah, no problem, I can handle it." That often leads to trouble. Until my heart is broken. Then when I turn to Him, the Master Carpenter can take my broken heart and mend it. There's an amazing talk I love by Elder Holland called Broken Things to Mend. How grateful I am that when I have suffered from grief, loss, abuse, betrayal, depression, discouragement, or any other situation where I might have felt hopeless, that I can turn to the One who knows all these things and has suffered them for me, (not just sin, but sorrow) so that I might not walk alone. As I tell a friend frequently, when you are walking with God, you never walk alone. Here's the awesome lyrics to When My Heart Was Broken, written by Hillary Weeks and Doug Pincock.
I pray to the air
Faithless, unbelieving.
Lost in despair
The darkness deceiving
But I held on
My pride too strong
I needed His love to show me
And then my heart was broken
And my eyes were opened
I could feel His arms around me
I could feel His love surround me
Oh, and I felt His grace
And I will praise His name
I lived for so long without knowing
I didn't care where I was going
Until my heart was broken
I knew when I knelt
I knew from that moment
How good it felt
Letting go of my soul and
Trusting Him
He took my sins
I gave them all up to know Him
Chorus
Oh and I feel His grace
And I will praise His name
I lived for so long without knowing
And I didn't care where I was going
Until my heart was broken.
He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear;
Gladness for mourning, and peace for despair.
Based on Isaiah 61:3
So, this morning, on my walk, I thought I'd just listen to music. I usually listen to a favorite book or Philosopher's Notes. Hillary Weeks happened to be ready to go on the ipod. I was listening to her on our way home last night, because my family was listening to comedy and I couldn't read a novel. So, I know her music well enough that I could ignore it and still read my novel. :-) So, this morning I was overcome with the beauty of the desert, the serenity of my walk, and the beautiful strains of music coming through the headphones.
I wish I had every Hillary Weeks album. This one is called Lead Me Home and I've practically worn it out. Most of the songs are amazing. And I love her alto voice. As I listened to the heart felt words and notes, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for the times I have been broken. That may seem kind of weird. But my brokenness has brought me to humility, divinity, and grace.
I'm a pretty independent kind of gal. Even when I should be praying for strength, I often think, "ah, no problem, I can handle it." That often leads to trouble. Until my heart is broken. Then when I turn to Him, the Master Carpenter can take my broken heart and mend it. There's an amazing talk I love by Elder Holland called Broken Things to Mend. How grateful I am that when I have suffered from grief, loss, abuse, betrayal, depression, discouragement, or any other situation where I might have felt hopeless, that I can turn to the One who knows all these things and has suffered them for me, (not just sin, but sorrow) so that I might not walk alone. As I tell a friend frequently, when you are walking with God, you never walk alone. Here's the awesome lyrics to When My Heart Was Broken, written by Hillary Weeks and Doug Pincock.
I pray to the air
Faithless, unbelieving.
Lost in despair
The darkness deceiving
But I held on
My pride too strong
I needed His love to show me
And then my heart was broken
And my eyes were opened
I could feel His arms around me
I could feel His love surround me
Oh, and I felt His grace
And I will praise His name
I lived for so long without knowing
I didn't care where I was going
Until my heart was broken
I knew when I knelt
I knew from that moment
How good it felt
Letting go of my soul and
Trusting Him
He took my sins
I gave them all up to know Him
Chorus
Oh and I feel His grace
And I will praise His name
I lived for so long without knowing
And I didn't care where I was going
Until my heart was broken.
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