Sundays have always been a special day of the week for me. It’s the one day I set aside work and outside activities and as much technology as I can and I use it as a day to refill my spiritual tank. I always attend church for three hours each Sunday (…yes, you heard me correctly…three hours…). Then after church my family comes together for Sunday dinner and while we eat our dinner we always have a family discussion about what things we learned that day in church and we share thoughts we have about spiritual things. These dinners are always among my favorite moment of each week.
Also on Sunday I spend a few minutes on personal study to read my scriptures, or read talks that can help fill up my spiritual tank as a way to prepare for the week of craziness and mayhem ahead. Doing these things on Sunday helps me reset my perspective regarding life’s challenges.
Today I was reading a talk by Boyd K. Packer that he gave clear back in 1978. In this talk he points out that:
“It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal.”
He goes on to state that if we “have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out.
There is great purpose in our struggle in life.
There is great meaning in these words entitled “The Lesson.”
Yes, my fretting,
Frowning child,
I could cross
The room to you
More easily.
But I’ve already
Learned to walk,
So I make you
Come to me.
Let go now
There!
You see?
Oh, remember
This simple lesson,
Child,
And when
In later years
You cry out
With tight fists
And tears
“Oh, help me,
God—please.”
Just listen
And you’ll hear
A silent voice:
“I would, child,
I would.
But it’s you,
Not I,
Who needs to try
Godhood.”
What a beautiful reminder that emotionally trying times are just a normal part of our growing process and there is no need to sink into a state of despair – we can stand steady and face them – and be at peace knowing that our Heavenly Father is very much aware of our trials. He hasn’t abandoned us in our time of need. He is simply allowing us the room to grow.
Refill your spiritual tank and have a marvelous start to the week!
~Amy Rees Anderson
2 Comments
Nice
Last General Conference, Saturday morning session, Lynn G. Robbins –
Success isn’t the absence of failure, but going from failure to failure without the loss of enthusiasm. (Author isn’t really known)
Why is it so hard to not get discouraged when things don’t work out? I try to solve my problems, but it isn’t usually what HF wants for me. This is sooooo hard!