Looking toward the light and example of Jesus Christ, who is "mighty to save." May we face our individual struggles and challenges by being willing to drink whatever " bitter cup" (or trial) we are given, and not shrink from doing what will ultimately strengthen us.
Eight months ago, my little boy (age 7) and his brother (age 9) were playing outside. One day they came running into the house and big brother wildly slammed the front door on little brother!
Guess what happened?! Little brothers fingertip was broken, as well as almost completely cut off. I rushed him to his usual plastic surgeon (because he's been quite accident prone! We joke about a trip a year to this plastic surgeon!)
The doctor cleaned, stitched and bound up the finger, and for nearly a month we kept returning to check the healing. At one appointment the doctor told my seven year old son that he didn't need to wear bandages any more. But my little boy kept insisting on wearing them. And I kept providing the bandaides so he could do so.
I can't find the recent plastic surgeon pics
of my son. But this was in June,
just a few months before the finger in the door.
(Photo taken before 5 stitches).
Our new puppy bit him as they wrestled!
But one day I sat him on my lap and pulled back the bandaide to look at the healing taking place. His fingertip was scarred and deformed. I asked him why he wanted to keep it covered. With quivering voice he talked about how he didn't want people to see it because of how it looked.
Even though it wasn't a "big deal" to me,I suddenly understood his shame in having a deformed, scarred finger- with missing fingernail. I held his finger and carressed the scarred area and I said, "M..., I'm sorry you've been embarrassed by how your finger looks. But when I look at your finger all I can see is how wonderful Heavenly Father is, and how much he loves you, and each of us."
I proceeded to tell my precious son how our body is the most amazing thing on earth. I said there is no material on earth like it. When it gets cut it can heal. And broken bones can grow back together.
I again gently touched the scarred area and said "You don't need to be embarrassed because of the scars. You can always look at them and remember what God has done for you because He loves you!" From that day forward my son no longer wore a bandaid (bandage) to hide his finger. Our bodies are a miraculous gift of God. We are each unique and cherished creations and miracles of our divine creator.
While some wounds may physically or emotionally scar or cause of cause to become deformed, we can each find ultimate spiritual healing through the power and mercy of God. That is of great comfort and hope to me.
My son's small finger is just one example of the greatness of God. I hope you can look a your life and see His love for you. His love and greatness is everywhere we look--IF we have gratitude in our hearts and His vision in helping us to see beyond the mundane things of life.
How do you see the hand of God in your life?
Christine
I just discovered this song. It has a powerful message of God's love for us!
Yes! He loves of any way we are! He loves us any way we come to Him! #ChristSavedUs!
#YOUareLOVED
In my recent studies of the scriptures, I was interested to read references to our being like children:
"That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven..." 3 Nephi 12:45
I find it interesting that it doesn't say, "that ye may grow out of your childhood, into independent adults, or, worse yet, rebellious teenagers" but it instead references us as children.
I really like these two other references to children, though there are plenty more.
"7 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation."
"...become as a little child," (3 Nephi 11:37-38)
====
What might we consider, and learn from in this simple line, "be the children" or "become as a little child"-- unrelated to specifically related scriptures?
Well, we could first ask; Whose children are we? Answered, in reference, we clearly know, "I am a child of my 'Father who is in heaven.'"
Other questions I think of:
Why should we be like children?
Does God really want us to be like children?
What are the qualities of children?
Is there a difference of acting childish, versus acting like a child?
Do I act like a childlike? Or do I act childish?
Definition of childlike: resembling or suggesting a child : like that of a child; especially : having or showing the pleasing qualities (such as innocence) that children often have
: resembling, suggesting, or appropriate to a child or childhood; especially: marked by innocence, trust, and ingenuousness <childlike delight>
When you think of positive qualities of children, what do you think of?
Off the top of my head I think of most children as happy, trusting, loving, sweet, believing, admiring of beauty, curious, teachable, flexible, forgiving.
And then I ask myself.
Am I happy?
Am I trusting?
Am I loving?
Am I sweet?
Am I believing?
Am I admiring of beauty?
Am I curious?
Am I teachable?
Am I flexible?
Am I forgiving?
You may ask, "Okay, so children usually are a soft, sweet, ball of love and goodness, with bright eyes, and open manner and expressiveness- what does that have to do with me, and the scriptures?"
It has everything to do with the scriptures. I really think he wants us to be like children, all while maintaining the need to also be caregivers ourselves to our children, grand-children, peers, and anyone who comes across our path. I think he really wants us to learn to see the world again- through the eyes of a child!
I think that God, our Heavenly Father wants us to ask ourselves those questions regularly. I think he wants us to ask ourselves questions like this:
"If I have a Father in Heaven, what does that mean to me?"
"How can I ever be like a child?! I'm all grown up now, and I'm set in my ways. Not to mention, I'm made some big mistakes. I could never be like a children, can I?!"
Let's prayerfully explore some answers to those questions.
When you needed help growing up, who did you go to?
When you were hurt, who did you go to?
When you felt sad, sick, lonely, or tired, who did you go to?
I hope that you are able to think of someone, who cared for you. (Though, I sadly acknowledge that too
many of you may have had sad childhoods, I am not able to address that here.) I hope you can think of a Mother, Father, Grandmother or Grandfather, Sister, or Brother, who cared for you!
I hope that you, my readers, felt safe, and cared for growing up-- with food to eat, a safe shelter, and warm, comfortable clothes to protect you. Most of all, I hope you felt loved. Deeply, and truly loved, by the care of those over your protection. When we consider the qualities of children and their relationship with their parents(or caregivers), we realized that they are dependent upon the direction and care of our Father or Mother.
What I also find so interesting, is that as children, they are generally able to forgive quickly (Of course, I realize that for children with mental health issues, this is not always the case. But, we will focus on the "norm" for now.) It doesn't seem to matter if the offending adult yelled, spanked, or removed their favorite toy- under normal, and fairly healthy living conditions children are generally able to forgive and move forward in that relationship- feeling safe. *(see note at bottom on the serious flip-side of this)
I think this is why references of being like "a little child," or "be the children" of our Heavenly Father is a directive for us.
When a child is in need, who do they go to for help? Generally speaking, a Mother, or Father, or someone else, who has taken on the parent role in their impressionable life. The child innately knows who to turn to for help and direction. Just as children generally seek out a caregiver, we also need to seek out our Heavenly Father.
If we loved a little child dearly, and they got hurt, would we want them to not come to us for help, and instead just cry off in a corner somewhere? What if they were so badly hurt, because of a choice they made- so serious an injury that they could die--would we want them to come to us, or would we tell them to just die, because it's their fault?!
If we are mental healthy, we would never say that to a child or anyone, for that matter. We'd say, "Oh, I'm so sad that you are hurt. Come to me, and let me help you."
I know how hard it is to comprehend a just and merciful, loving, all-knowing God. I especially know how hard it is to understand that a father could be so tender and loving with me. But, I have come to understand that the nature of God, or Father, is far more loving than I can completely understand. Heavenly Father loves us, and through the voice of His son, Jesus Christ, we know His feelings for us,
"Come unto me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
It doesn't matter, who you are, or where you've been in this life-- we must become like the sweet little children, whose faces are bright with hope and love in their eyes, and in the works of their heart. We must look longingly toward Savior, Jesus Christ, and toward our Father in Heaven, and then, and only then can our burdens of sin be washed clean through the atoning power of Jesus Christ.
We can repent! We are loved! We are children of a perfect Father. Unlike some father's and mothers, our God will never fail us- but we must reach out, and offer Him our hands and our lives to take us gently by the hand and lead us along.
If you don't know where to start, please leave a message, comment to me, or visit: www.mormons.org
Let us focus our energies on developing the qualities of those precious children around us, so that we may have the hearts and minds to be "young and heart!" Let us also strengthen the children, and ourselves, by praying daily, and being quick to love, and quick to find beauty.
My blogpost, is not even remotely all encompassing, but I would encourage you to pray with all your heart for God, the Father to help guide your life, so that you can learn how to improve whatever situation you are in.
We all have room to improve.
We all have things to learn.
We all need to learn to be flexible to change and to the will of our Father.
We all have cuts and injuries (literal and figurative), which need to be healed.
Through Heavenly Father's son, Jesus Christ- we have all the help we will ever need.
As we each seek the Lord, and seek his help, he will lead us home to Him.
I pray that our ours will be open to the needs of the children around us.
I pray that we will see everyone through the eyes of a loving Father in Heaven.
I pray we will bend our will, and our knees in prayer, that we will know of His will for us, INDIVIDUALLY!
Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
God will listen to us, as we seek Him. If we incline (lean toward him) and listen, he will help us to overcome, and ultimately we will escape the dangers of this life- all through His power.
May you feel His love and joy upon your heart, as you seek to see the world through bright, and thankful eyes of a child.
Christine
A note about Abuse=======
* I understand what volatile, danger care givers can do to the life of a child. The affects can be very damaging, and don't grow out of a person, just because they "grow up. Harm for men, women, and children requires extra help. All children should be blessed to feel safe, and as caregivers, it is our God given duty to care for the spirit children, whom he has loaned us to care for and keep safe.
I personally understand the harm that comes of abuse. In children it leads to issues of insecurity and extreme levels of mistrust, which can last through adulthood. I know, because I was that child. I didn't voice my fears at 7, but I knew where I felt safe- which was generally a dark closet, or a bush, or box. Here are some symptoms to look for in abused children (They didn't list things like hiding in dark closets, or never leaving a bedroom for hours or days on end, but I KNOW those are symptoms of a problem, because that's where I spent too many hours.)
Please know that Heavenly Father works miracles, but He also expects us to leave situations that are dangerous to ourselves, and/or our children!
I have seen God's miracles in my life, and He has helped me change my mind from a depressed unhappy person, to a happy, hopeful person- but it came at a price of sacrifice. I had to make a lot of changes, and reach out to health care professional, bishops, family, and friends, to help me learn how to make the changes that I needed to make, which were in direct relation to my childhood abuse.
But whether you were abuse, or had a great childhood, and have just made some really bad choices- please understand--- No one,--
and I repeat NO ONE-- deserves to be abused in any form! It doesn't matter what you've done, or what you think you've done-- You are worth being treated right!
There are counselors, and church clergy, community resources, family and friends, who can be a source of safety and starting a new life.
IF YOU NEED IMMEDIATE HELP-- Open 24 HOURS--
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1(800-422-4453).
"If you're concerned that your child or another child has been abused, seek help immediately.
If the child needs immediate medical attention, call 911 or your local emergency number. Depending on the situation, contact the child's doctor, a local child protective agency, the police department, or a 24-hour hotline such as Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (800-422-4453).
As an aside, I discovered this song yesterday, and I didn't quite understand what it meant. Now meaning to songs are often dependent upon our experiences and perspectives, but the message of this Mother, resonated deeply with me. I hope she stuck to her hard choice and did what was best for her children! I will share the song, lyrics, and her interpretation.
In high seas or in low seas I'm gonna be your friend, I'm gonna be your friend. In high tide or in low tide, I'll be by your side, I'll be by your side.
(I heard her praying, praying, praying) I said, I heard my mother, She was praying (praying, praying, praying) And the words that she said (the words that she said), They still linger in my head (lingers in my head), She said, "A child is born in this world, He needs protection, God, guide and protect us, When we're wrong, please correct us. (When we're wrong, correct us). And stand by me. " yeah!
In high seas or in low seas, I'm gonna be your friend, He said, "I'm gonna be your friend." And, baby, in high tide or low tide, I'll be by your side, I'll be by your side.
I said I heard my mother, She was crying' (I heard her crying'), yeah! (crying', crying'), And the tears that she she'd (the tears that she shed) They still linger in my head (lingers in my head)
She said: "A child is born in this world, He needs protection, God, guide and protect us, When we're wrong, (when we're wrong), correct us.
And in high seas or low seas, I'm gonna be your friend, I'm gonna be your friend. Said, high tide or low tide, I'll be by your side, I'll be by your side.
(interpretation)
M. S. L.
Nov 27, 2014 at 6:09 am
I heard this song for the first time tonight! I've prayed cried and kept asking god to show me if I had done right. I made one of the hardest choices in life as a mother. Chose to put aside my common sense in order to stand closer to all that matters to me my children my "reasons". Raising two boys 9 and 3 alone, thank you Jah for once again speaking to me. No longer wondering now I am sure that protection and guidance to them is the best choice. Like you said I will trust you to be my guide. Guide me outta the place where lies caused pain where there was wrong restore all the Right! Continue to remain in me as I trust in you to get me thru and together we will win this fight! I stand alone but not without you, I give you they're lives as I remember these lyrics, I pray you keep them in my heart that I'd always know you'll continue to inspire me though I cry and struggle you will always be the best guide.
Since Tuesday I have been ill. It began in the early morning hours. (Isn't that how it always is!) Initially I thought it was because I'd been up late typing in my journal, and snacked on some fresh garden peas and raspberries, that my friend let me pick from her garden! :) I soon realized that those stomach spasms weren't a "stomach ache" from eating too late. In fact, I had acquired a stomach bug!
I've been blessed so very very much over the last 2 years with good health that I could only express gratitude that I'd been blessed with such health, and that this opportunity was allowing me to refine my understanding of empathy towards others. I never want to forget what so many people experience, or what I have in my life experiences, just because I am in a time of amazing health and energy.
So, there I was. 2 long days of staying mostly in bed or visiting my friendly neighborhood potty. Wishing I could finish installing the quarter round, or finishing up the last wall of painting, or eat a bit of anything without terrible spasms. But no, I lay in bed sleeping and moaning instead. (And how dare my husband suggest that I'm a bigger baby than him when I am sick! ;)
I was worried that today I wouldn't be able to attend my husbands performance at a local re-enactment center. I didn't even plan ahead to go. But 5 minutes before we needed to leave (with all 5 of our children) I realized I'd been given a blessing of health again. I truly rose from my bed of affliction, and walked. I spent the whole day walking in fact. Taking my children on pony rides, making pioneer hankerchief dolls, playing stick games, exploring pioneer houses, riding the miniature train, and enjoying many other activities. In fact, it was a hot day, but all I could do was frequently express my heart felt joy and gratitude at being able to be there with my children, and enjoying the blessing to make memories with them.
When I came home I got down on my knees in the cool and quiet of my room and thanked Heavenly Father for giving me such a blessing of a wonderful day, that I would have missed out on. And, I should also mention that 3 of my 5 children had started feeling sick like me all day yesterday. So the mere fact that they woke up in perfect health, says a lot as well.
As I got up from praying, the LDS Primary song, "Can A Little Child Like Me" played into my thoughts....
1. Can a little child like me
Thank the Father fittingly?
Yes, oh yes! Be good and true,
Patient, kind in all you do!
Love the Lord and do your part;
Learn to say with all your heart:
Father, we thank thee!
Father, we thank thee!
Father in Heaven, we thank thee!
2. For the fruit upon the tree,
For the birds that sing of thee,
For the sunshine warm and bright,
For the day and for the night,
For the joyful work and true
That a little child may do,
Father, we thank thee!
Father, we thank thee!
Father in Heaven, we thank thee!
Words: Mary M. Dodge, about 1831-1905
Music: W. K. Bassford, 1839-1902
Part of the secret of my happiness in life is that I've learned how to have a heart filled with gratitude. I used to feel sorry for myself, and didn't focus as well on what I had. I tried, but I fell short, because I spent too much time being self-absorbed. Everything in my world is better because I try to keep a constant prayer of Gratitude to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for my many blessings and opportunities. Gratitude is the key to not only happiness, but love, and the sweet blessings and assurances that come from the Holy Ghost.
It takes work to be grateful. I remember improving this skill when I was in college and I started keeping a gratitude journal after watching something about it on the Oprah show. That was a turning point for me. Initially it was hard work, because I hadn't developed the skill of focusing on my blessings. Someday's my 5 things were hard to come up with, and I didn't "feel" the real meaning behind my words. I wrote simple things like "I'm thankful for hands that can write." "I'm thankful for the good food I had to eat at lunch" But as time progressed, I learned to see with clearer truth all that I had, and I started writing little experiences about my day. Such as the day that a church member gave me a bag of oranges, and how thankful I was because we were very poor and didn't have money for such things.
Pray to be grateful, and look for every opportunity to be grateful. Even if it's just about the basics of like like, "I have a bed to sleep in" or "I have clothes to wear." Your words may not feel very sincere to you, because (like me) you may take those things for granted, but soon enough through diligence and prayer, you will feel the power of those words!
Several years ago my Mom's sister took my oldest daughter to get a Mother's Day gift for me. My aunt had seen a beautiful gold necklace with pendant in an ad, and intended to have my daughter get that for me. Upon arriving at the jewelry counter, my little girl (about 8 years old) became fascinated with another necklace for me. My Aunt said that there was no changing K's mind. She wanted this specific, less quality necklace for me. My Aunt expressed disappointment when little K was out of earshot. I'm embarrassed to admit it, and though I didn't express it, I felt disappointment too. I could imagine the prettier necklace she had described!
I went to put on the necklace to wear to church that Mother's Day Sunday and I paused for a moment, with the necklace laying on my left hand, and I stood and studied it. I wondered what my little girl had seen in this necklace, which clearly was not a very pretty or quality gold chain, and which the small attached pendant read, "Mom." I also admit I didn't particularly like it, because it had a word on it.
At that moment I had a subtle, but fascinating experience. I felt the spirit of God speak to me. It wasn't an audible voice, just a thought. The thought was this, "She chose this necklace because to her the word 'Mom' means love." And even as I had that thought, I felt flooded with feelings of the love she felt for me in choosing it.
You can imagine that brief moment affected my feelings toward that necklace. I put on that necklace and felt the unspoken message of my little girl's love for me. To this day I cannot reach for that necklace without feeling the peace of love that can be associated with motherhood. I've since gotten necklaces that would be deemed more beautiful, and which are higher quality, but the love I feel from the message of that necklace far surpasses the value of my other necklaces. It's financial value is minimal in the world's eyes, but it's spiritual value of love is without price.
Do we sometimes look at ourselves, like I did that necklace? Do we ever think negative things like, "Look how fat/old I look?" "I'm not very pretty/handsome." "I don't really fit in with the people around me, everyone else seems to have it together" "How could anyone love me, my life is so messed up?" You need to know that those thoughts are not from God! God is the author of love, not of doubts, self-loathing or discouragement. He wants us to believe in that love, and take hope for our futures.
Unfortunately, I used to think those types of things all the time. I used to feel like nothing could ever change for me, or get much better in life. I felt I was destined to remain stagnant in sorrow. In my process of drawing closer to God by making better choices I have learned to see myself more as he does. More as my little girl did (does!:)...with a whole lot of love!! Of course, I don't completely understand how other people can love me as much as they do, but through heavenly reassurances I feel in special moments that they do. Despite my weakness and imperfections, I am regularly reminded that I am loved.
I am also coming to learn that my life is truly a gift from God. And I don't mean just the blessing of living and breathing, but the privileges of my husband and children, talents, and yes, even my weaknesses and trials! I'm afraid that sometimes I look at it my life as I did that necklace from my little girl--with ingratitude or distaste. I am learning that He placed me on earth in my own unique set of circumstances because He best knows how I can learn to be more like Him.
There is a song we sing our church sing. Oh how true it is!!
My life is a gift; my life has a plan. My life has a purpose; in heav'n it began. My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth And seek for God's light to direct me from birth. I will follow God's plan for me, Holding fast to his word and his love. I will work, and I will pray; I will always walk in his way. Then I will be happy on earth And in my home above. Words and music: Vanja Y. Watkins, b. 1938. (c) 1981 IRI
I hope you will look around you and try to see the good in your life. Pray to be more thankful for your house or apartment, even if it's not where you envisioned your life. Or look into the eyes of your child and realize how blessed you are to be so loved. And don't forget to feel happy for the little things...even if it's just something as simple as those beautiful blue shoes you own.
Let's work on showing The Best Giver of Gifts, our Heavenly Father, that we appreciate what He's give to us!! Christine
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