Stronger Through Him

 I was talking to a close friend recently and she mentioned that as her husband made dinner, the pot of spaghetti had boiled over. Instead of being frustrated by the mess, she had the inspiring thought that even though it had boiled over, the family would still be fed. I’ve thought of that several times this week as I have seen dozens of ways - from tiny to cringeworthy large- that boil-overs have happened in my own life and those around me. Some were actually in my control. Many were not. Words in frustration, messy situations, burnt chicken (that at least sort of fed my family), student and coworker situations bubbling into my own space, my own procrastination, medical difficulties, parental fears for children, gospel doubts, self-worth doubts, marriage and relationships, financial obligations, and many more. But with the wisdom of my friend’s observation, I watched for the ways that within those difficulties good efforts still brought results.   Apologies and hugs, second t...

 Yesterday, in Relief Society, a friend answered a question by referring to a line from a primary song- “Reverence is more than just quietly sitting, it’s thinking of Father above…” The follow up comment mentioned the power of Primary songs in teaching children. Another sister added that it was also true for adults.  I immediately recalled studying about the human brain and remembrance and how songs learned in childhood are amongst the most powerful memories of all- often being some of the last coherent memories even when faced with dementia.  Sister Gayle M Clegg, testified of the sweet power of these songs when she explained, “This feeling is why we go to church each week and sing Primary songs and hymns, sometimes the same ones over and over again. We know the words, but all of a sudden, the words make our hearts swell with light and love. It’s like we remember who we really are. Because we are Heavenly Father’s children, it’s like He comes down and turns on a light fo...

 Edgar’s Rescue in Australia was contacted by a hiker who had stumbled across a woolen beast in the forest.  It is estimated this sheep had somehow survived for as long as 5 years in spite of his massive fleece which had even grown to cover his eyes,  making him essentially blind.  The rescue got to work and straight away removed that heavy fleece - all 88 pounds of it!  The sheer (no pun intended) weight alone had been creating immense pain for the animal.  Once that encumbrance had been removed, within 24 hours their new friend was frisking about jumping and playing with gratitude.  Never forget that part of the Shepherd’s role is not just to remove and make great things from healthy and beautiful fleeces, but to get rid of the old and harmed, matted and dirtied and to make room for new growth again.  Repentance is such a gift! Sister Ann C Pingree testified, “He pronounced: “Yea, verily … , if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Be...

  “Saturday is a special day, it’s the day we get ready for Sunday”. The words of the primary song were going through my mind this morning. I thought back to a Saturday night in the 90s when we still lived in Seymour,  and ran into 4 other ward families, all filling our cars on Saturday so we wouldn’t have to get gas on Sunday.   Pay-at-the-pump wasn’t a thing yet, so we were more conscious of it.  Sabbath preparation....how have I been doing?  Our ward has had 12:00 church for the last year so my sabbath preparation kind of bled over into Sunday mornings. I got more casual about it. Now we will have the 9:00 church time so I need to be more aware. I thought of President Nelson’s prophetic talk on Sabbath Day. “How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct an...

 What if, instead of adding to your to-dos, you go back to the origin of the word and choose something to release this year? Maybe not all at once. And definitely not perfectly. But is there something that you feel you would like less of?  Something you are holding onto a little too tight? A grudge or a fear? Maybe that nagging critical inner voice that just needs to give you a break? Criticism of others? Time in others’ worlds on-line instead of building your own?  Or maybe clenching onto your own mistakes and shortcomings so tightly there isn’t much room for love to settle in and show your true beauty? Or allowing resentment to tarnish the opportunities for joy in your life? I was reading in Alma 26 today and was overcome with a calming reassurance at the wonder and gratitude Alma the Younger had at the forgiveness and mercy Jesus Christ had made possible and offered him.    In 1996, a young woman shared her own experience with this lesson.  Anne Marie Ro...

 I found myself feeling what I call “prickly” about some things. That moment when I have to decide if I’m going to be offended or not. I’ve learned I can acknowledge that something can hurt my feelings without being intentionally hurtful. The phrase from Paul’s teachings about being not easily offended came to mind. As a bit of a case study, I looked back over my last few days and looked for reasons to be offended. And guess what- I found them!   And the more I looked,  the more I found. Words said.   Words not said.   The way words were said.   Actions taken.   Actions not taken.   The way actions were taken.   Social media posts- the words, the pictures, the likes and comments. Text response time or lack of.  Interesting but not surprising.   But I seriously disliked how it made me feel.  So then I thought about that prickly feeling again, and how what it really is saying is that those connections need some strengthening or r...