Ordinary Moments

I went to my local LDS Temple the other night. I enjoyed a very sweet, peaceful experience, which helped to ease the burdens of life. (To learn more about LDS Temples, or watch a short video, please visit: https://discover.mormon.org/en-us/topics/temples/?play=hero) 

As I went to leave a special area in this beautiful temple of God, I smiled goodnight to the sister, who held the door for me. I had a thought to thank her for her service at the temple, but I did not. 

As I went to descend the stairs to the lockers and change out of my white clothing, I thought about how I wanted to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do, above my own discomfort. I turned myself back around, opened the door to the room, which I’d just left, and told this sister (whom I have never seen before) "Thank you for your service at the temple. Then we hugged, and said goodnight.  =

This time as I began down the stairs, I felt thankful that I had followed that impression. It wasn't a big thing that I'd done.  I'm not even sure it made much of a difference to the sister. But it made a difference to me, because I had stretched myself out of my comfort zone.  And more importantly, I realized that the words of appreciation were really mine.

While the sister may not have realized it, I had the witness that those are the words Heavenly Father wanted me to speak to her. And while my words weren't all that impressive in scale, I felt the magnitude of understanding that I had spoken in those moments with a portion of his voice and love. That was a sweet feeling for me to know that I could be part of speaking kind words for Him. 

When I arrived to the locker room, and took notice that it was 10:40 pm! I'd never stayed that late in the temple, because that last session is completely done by 10 pm.  But the 8:15 pm session that I was part of, did have to wait for the 8 pm session to finish, before we could move forward through the temple session.  

In the locker room, I also took notice that there were sisters dressed in all white work uniforms. These sisters stood around visiting happily among themselves by our lockers, as they waited for us from the last session to leave, so they could begin cleaning the temple (which they do each night).  I smiled to myself, and wondered what a blessing it would be to clean the house of the Lord.

After changing into the dress I’d worn in, I made my way through the inner lobby.  I saw more workers in white. This time it was the men, standing around visiting pleasantly, as they waited for the patrons (me and the other non-workers) to leave.  Again, I smiled as I considered the privilege of this literal temple work, which they and the others accomplish.  

As I rounded the corner to make my way into the main, outer lobby of the temple, I saw two college age men sitting on the nearby chairs.  I smiled at them both, but the facial expression of one dark haired young man, who was leaning forward with his arms on his legs and his hands gripped together, just passed his knee.  I can't explain it, but there was either an expression or spiritual insight, I'm not sure which- but I seemed to sense a dissatisfaction with his temple job. 

I had the thought to not only smile at these young men, but to also thank them for the service they render in the temple, and expressed how much I, and others, appreciate what they do. But, as I thought that, I also felt doubt about speaking.  "I don't know them, and besides, do I really feel

thankful for what they do?" And with that embarrassed thinking, I continued on through the wooden exit partition into to the main lobby, and then out the temple doors. 

I kept thinking I should go back, and thank them for helping keep this beautiful temple clean. I even thought, once outside, that I could hurry back in and thank them.  But I'm sorry to say that I justified myself to believe that would be too embarrassing, and hence, I let myself walk on without expressing a voice of appreciation. 

I felt badly that I had withheld my small voice, which might have brightened the heart of that young man. As I walked through that cold, dark night to my van, I expressed my apologies to Heavenly Father. I told him that I wasn't sure if I should have said anything, but that I think I should have.  And I asked his forgiveness that I didn't speak where I could have.  I asked if He would please take that sick feeling of regret from me, and help me to learn from that experience.  My peace did not come immediately, but it did come, as I prayerfully recommitted myself to not withholding the kind words I have to speak. 

You are probably thinking to yourselves that I was "overthinking" it.  But I am not so sure. I can't help but recall, "where much is given, much is required. (JST, Luke 12:57)I had a keen sense in that moment, as I do even now, that I am called unofficially to be a steward of Heavenly Father's words of love, and actions, to others.  

When I fail to speak or do things, which might have consoled or brightened the life of others, I have an awareness of my accountability to God.  I further know, that if I fail to heed impression too often, those impressions are going to stop coming to me.

Thankfully, I know that Heavenly Father is merciful and forgiving when I fail to speak and act in love, but hopefully I allow those moments of my shortcoming to help teach and remind me to improve, and "scatter sunshine all along the way."(see video)

As I read in The Book of Mormon (another testament of Christ) I learned a great deal from chapter 10, but I was particularly impressed with the words I read in Helaman 10:4-5 (Request you free copy of The Book of Mormon- https://www.mormon.org/free-book-of-mormon:)

4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

I am not a prophet, called to officially "declare the word," but that does not mean that Lord wants me to keep silent. Nor does it mean that there aren't specific things which He will direct me to speak or act upon-even in my small sphere of influence. I feel strongly that as disciples of Christ, we are called to bear testimony to the truth, wherever we may stand.  

I believe that as we are unwearing (tireless) in our efforts righteousness, we will also see an increase of blessings, and that we too shall be made "mighty in word and in deed, in faith, and in works."` I believe these blessings will unfold as we seek to align our will to His in all things.  

May we live worthy of the Spirit of God.

May we always have a prayer in our heart, that we will know what words He would have us speak.

May prove our faithful in the cause of righteousness; that our hands will be clean before the Lord, and meekly act in purity and holiness of heart.

That is my prayer for you,

Christine