Monday, July 18, 2016

Day 132 of 365 days of solace: Bus Ride Adventures

Selfie with my summer camp girl.
My daughter needed to get up to a church youth summer camp this week.  Since our van is broken, I decided to take her to camp by bus. I brought 3 of my other children with me. (My fifth child, age 17, is on a humanitarian mission building schools in Mexico.)

Little brother points to big brother
to look at something out the window. 















When I climbed on the bus, I asked the bus driver to please let me know when we arrived at a certain building on campus.  She assured me she would.  My children and I sat down at the back of the bus. 

A man in his 30's turned toward me.  He has one eye that was tightly shut (I assume there was no eye under the lid). He spoke with slow, drawn out words, and with he gravely, deep voice, he often paused, or repeated his words. Although his one eye sometimes looked my direction, I couldn't help wonder if he was partially blind in it. began to tell me what bus stop I needed to get off at. He was very nice, but it was clear that he had some type of cognitive impairment. I listened to his directions, which weren't particularly helpful, but then I smiled and thanked him "for letting me know."

I then turned back to my daughter, who I was taking to camp. She's 15 and I wanted to take out the small tree leaves (for lack of a better word...there were smallish round, pod-like things) that had dropped into her hair at the bus stop. As I began to pick out the little white balls from her hair, the man I'd been speaking too reached over and gave a gentle tug to my long hair to get my attention. 

I was not bothered by it, and I turned to him and smiled to see what he wanted.  He wanted to add some other type of information to the bus stop that I could get off at. It really wasn't needed information, but I thought of how the Savior ministered to people in need.  I knew that in a small way I could minister to this man by giving him my time and attention.  

I began asking "Nathan" if he was from around here, and if he was going to work.  I really listened to him and I showed interest in him as a person.  In fact, I became interested in what he was talking about.  I learned he was going to his mom's work to have lunch, and that he was born here, and I also learned some unexpected, and fascinating history of what used to be in the lower parking lot of a nearby LDS temple.


If I had allowed my distraction of cleaning out my daughter's hair to keep me from giving this man
my time, I would not have had the opportunity of his pleasant company. I learned that the time we give others doesn't need to be big and expensive, but that the little things make the difference.  













If you think about it, can you recall a time when someone paid attention to you and showed interest in things about yourself?  I know that I can remember many times where someone listened to me. There is something special that happens when people really take time to listen to us.  Listening of itself can be a gift to others. Is there someone you can give the gift of listening and attention to? 
My daughter read us family scriptures in the 20 minutes
that we had while waiting for the bus. She's a sweetheart!
You can't give the gift of listening while you are on the computer, cell phone, or reading the 
newspaper! I suggest that you use this gift of kind listening to bless the lives of others. There are opportunities all around us, each day of our lives. If you are prayerful, and seek the help of the Lord, He will help you to see where our gift of listening is needed--but starting in our homes is the most important place to begin.

God Bless You, 
Christine



Thursday, July 7, 2016

Day 121 of 365 days of solace: Mirror, Mirror

Last night I went to bed feeling upset. I've been feeling so happy, but my heart began hurting again,
and I began to wonder, "When is this all going to be over?" I just tried to change my unhappy thoughts by thinking upon my precious little children and my many blessing.

As I slept I heard several songs.  I heard these words "I'm sorry for breaking your heart" (to the well known Adele song, "Hello.") and I knew that one of the people who has caused so much sorrow to me feels badly about how it's all turned out. That is of some comfort, and it helps me to be able to forgive, but well... it's going to take time for this sorrow to be completely healed. I'm thankful for the grace of God, which is the only reason I can face my sorrow with such grace, but healing still takes time. And that's okay, it's part of our learning experience.

Later in the night (or wee hours of the morning), I heard this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RahPOtKUFSk
BEAUTIFUL FOR ME Lyrics
Nichole Nordeman
Every girl young and old has to face her own reflection
Twirl around, stare it down
What’s the mirror gonna say
With some luck, you’ll measure up
But you might not hold a candle to the rest
“Is that your best?” says the mirror to the mess
But there’s a whisper in the noise
Can you hear a little voice
and he says
Has anybody told you you’re beautiful?
You might agree if you could see what I see
Oh
‘Cuz everything about you is incredible
You should have seen me smile the day that I made you beautiful for me
If it’s true beauty lies in the eye of the beholder
What my life and what’s inside to give him something to behold
I want a heart that’s captivating
I wanna hear my Father say

Has anybody told you you’re beautiful?
You might agree if you could see what I see
Oh
‘Cuz everything about you is incredible
You should have seen me smile the day that I made you beautiful for me
Close your eyes
Look inside
Let me see the you that you’ve been trying to hide
Long ago, I made you so very beautiful
So I ought to know you’re beautiful
Has anybody told you you’re beautiful?
You might agree if you could see what I see
Yeah
‘Cuz everything about you is incredible
You should have seen me smile the day that I made you beautiful
You’re so beautiful
Beautiful for me
So beautiful for me
Has anybody told you?

The message is clearly to understand that no matter who misunderstands me, or rejects me, that I will always be loved and beautiful to my Heavenly Father.

Well, a few minutes ago, as I sat to work on a  lesson I'm teaching for my Pathway class tonight (I LOVE pathway.lds.org ) I began to consider upon the painful life experiences I was thinking about at bedtime.  As my sadness grew, this song began to play into my memory. If you don't think God isn't an active part of our lives, think again! This was not a coincidence!

I'm thankful that God is aware of each one of use. I am choosing to let LOVE win. I am choosing to FORGIVE.

We cannot be happy when we act, think, or speak unkindly. I want to be happy, so I will let God fight my battles.

I have so much that I am thankful for. I am choosing to forgive, and I will let God fight my battles. I
have the strength to carry on. I am choosing to be happy by how I think and act and speak.

I am thankful that God is helping me to focus on the hero in me.  If you ever find yourself thinking that you are a miserable failure, PLEASE know that is NOT the voice of God.  Pray to be able to change those thoughts.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5txIGLWLlA
God's voice will always teach or direct us in love!


"Hero"
There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear
And then a hero comes alongWith the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you


Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way
And then a hero comes alongWith the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
=====









I'm going to move forward in my day, and keep this sweet reminders from the Spirit of God in my heart and mind.
It doesn't matter what a few people on this enormous earth may think of me, or speak of me.  All that matters is that I am choosing to do my best to try and please my God.



As you move through the minutes of your life, I hope you will join me in turning to God in prayer, and then listening for his (generally) soft answers.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Day 118 of 365 days of Solace: Independence Day Service

Today I went to a fourth of July parade with my family.  I felt thankful that God had given me the strength and energy to go and not feel tired.  I remember last year that I felt so tired. I remember sitting on a chair most of that parade from lethargy.


The streets were crowded with scores of people and I was worried we wouldn't find a place to put our camp chairs.  But then I saw it!  A spot of grass in between a tree and a shade tent some people had set up.  It was only about 4 feet wide, but it would work just fine.

I noticed a man standing near the tree seemed
apprehensive.  I asked if he'd like to sit on one of our spare camp chairs. I learned why he had a look of worry on his face with his reply, "Well, I'm fine but my parents are coming and they are going to need a place, maybe my Mom could use it." Oh, I realized now why he was worried, but when they came there was room for his parents too. :)

However, his wife seemed a bit disagreeable.  She would not let their boys run out to catch candy, but instead made them sit on the edge (on her or her grandparent's laps).  She went up to my children (and me) standing in the road to get candy to step aside and leave an opening so her boys could see.  I have to be honest, I found it irritating!  This is a parade and thousands of children are lining the streets to run and catch candy.

My children tried to respect her invisible bubble, but I felt slight irritations over that!  I just prayed it wouldn't bother me, because it was not something I should take personally.

I can't tell you when it happened by I started to notice the needs of others. Maybe it was when my 11
Here's that sweet girl! :)
year old picked up a piece of candy near her that mom's son, and instead of keeping it she handed it too him.  Or maybe it's when another little girl, about the age of 12 caught the soft pink pig that my 15 year old daughter had run for, but instead of keeping it "fair and square" the girl gave it to my daughter!  Who then gave it to her pig-obsessed 9 year old brother!!

Maybe it was seeing the elderly gentleman with oxygen slowly reaching down for a stray piece of candy that came flying near us. Pleasantly I said, "Here let me get that for you." (After all, I didn't want him to think I was trying to steal his candy, so I gave a heads up of why I was reaching for it.) I handed it to him and our fingers brushed, and I looked up at him to see his smiling face of appreciation.
I then surveyed his group and saw a lot of elderly folks, and I decided to get them some candy because that back row spot wasn't an ideal candy catching location!

However it happened, I began finding ways to serve people. I used my pocket scissors to cut off the tops of the icee pops, or help little children get treats or prizes.
 Another time I noticed an older woman sitting in a big white
truck watching the parade in the heat of the day.  I went to take a bottle of water, but I turned back and decided instead to take my cooler bag of waters.  When I walked the 100 feet over to the truck I smiled and said, "Would you like some water? I bet it's hot in the truck."  She thanked me and smiled, and  as I handed the water in I saw that there were 4 aging adults, and one younger woman all snuggly fit into the cab of the truck.  So I handed in 5 waters.  I walked away, and wondered if they were even thirsty, but I wasn't going to second guess a deed meant in thoughtfulness.
It's strange, but doing little acts of service for complete strangers
was very satisfying. I felt a happy, worthwhile feeling in my existence.  Prior to that time, the parade was just a not too terribly exciting event for me. I had just come to add richness of experience to the life of my children, instead of just staying at home doing nothing.  But being able to see beyond the heat, crowds, and irritation of that Mom helped me to create a more dynamic and fulfilling experience of heart.

The Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints were a big hit!
That's how each day of our lives need to be--living with purpose.  Despite frustrations of self or others, we can try to create happy atmospheres that are meaningful to us, and those around us.


I have long had a testimony of service, but today was just another reminder that even ordinary moments can become extraordinary once we look outside of ourselves and try to see ways that we might brighten the lives of others.  So go out, and pray for the vision of how you can make the world a better place! :)

Happy 4th of July!
Christine

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Day 117 of 365 days of Solace: Love Heals

119 days ago something happened that I didn't feel prepared for. A heavy burden was placed on my heart and sorrow began to sit upon me in a way that I had not experienced in a long time. I didn't know how I'd manage the emotions that I felt might consume me.

Through it all, I continued with faith and hope in looked to God in prayer and study. I knew that He could help me, where it didn't seem very hopeful. It didn't happen immediately, but I gradually began to notice that my burden felt lighter and my sorrow was turned to smiles. The tight chains that were hurting me, instead turned into restraints of humility and peace. Any tendency to want to hurt those that caused injury to me melted into complete forgiveness. I also began to see the tender mercies of God's hand each day of this trial-- be it through kind words, treats to my doors, or a song of comfort playing into my dreams at night.

I can say unequivocally that it is only through the grace of God that I am at peace. Even with my boat still upon stormy waters, I testify of the truth and power of Christ's words:

John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I am at peace, and I am no longer afraid of what is or what yet may be. I can't rejoice enough in this comfort which comes from a higher power, well beyond myself. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ each of us can be blessed. There is no battle of the mind, body, or spirit which was not first victoriously overcome in the garden of Gethsemane

If we stand on the side of Jesus Christ, the ultimate champion, we can face any battles, and we can be champions through Christ.

Love,
Christine

P.S. Here's a song I just discovered, and I think the words are truly encouraging.

Tell Your Heart to Beat Again 

By Danny Gokey

You're shattered
Like you've never been before
The life you knew
In a thousand pieces on the floor
And words fall short in times like these
When this world drives you to your knees
You think you're never gonna get back
To the you that used to be

Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace

Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again
Beginning

Just let that word wash over you
It's alright now
Love's healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun

'Cause your story's far from over
And your journey's just begun
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in

Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been

And tell your heart to beat again
Let every heartbreak
And every scar
Be a picture that reminds you
Who has carried you this far
'Cause love sees farther than you ever could
In this moment heaven's working

Everything for your good
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore

Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again
Your heart to beat again
Beat again
Oh, so tell your heart to beat again

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