Sunday Reflections: August 21, 2011

Today the topic in Sacrament meeting was TESTIMONY.  So, I thought it would be a great topic for my reflection today.  I'm very grateful for the testimony that I have of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have had to rely heavily this past year on the testimony that I have.  After Kary's stroke my testimony was tested to the core.  Kary's stroke was so surreal to me that I couldn't believe it was happening.  I remember waking up in the morning wishing it was a dream and everything would be fine.  I'd pull my pregnant body out of bed and realize it was my worst nightmare in reality.  There were times that I asked myself, "Does God really exist?  Is He really hearing my prayers?  Can I put my faith and trust in the blessings Kary has recieved?  Is all that I have been taught and believed in all these years really true?"  Then I would think of all the things in my life that have happened that witnessed to me that God does hear and answer our prayers.  He is real.  He does love us.  The priesthood power, the power to act in the name of God, is on the earth and Kary's blessings will come to pass if we continue to put our faith and trust in God and do not doubt.   I have had too many witnesses in my life to doubt that God is overall.  He has a plan for each of us.  We all experience trials in our lives.  That's part of the purpose of life, to see how faithful we will be despite hardships and trials.   Some trials are due to our own mistakes or consequences of choices we make or even others mistakes, while other trials are not, but no matter what the circumstances are there is always a way through...a way up and out....a way to PEACE and HAPPINESS. 
I loved the story told today by the speaker of how she was getting ready to go somewhere...maybe camping or something...can't remember now, but how she had the thought to take an extra scrunchy for her hair.  She already had one in her hair and thought that would be enough and didn't take an extra one after all.  Well, while she was gone her scrunchy broke.  She realized then that the Holy Ghost had prompted her to take an extra one.  Heavenly Father loved her so much that He would think of such a small thing that would make her life more pleasant.  She always wore her hair in a pony tail so He knew how much she would want and need that extra scrunchy.  What a testimony that God cares even about the little things in our lives.  God certainly knows us and our needs.  He will provide us all that we need:  Emotionally, Mentally, Physically, and Spiritually.

Lyrics:
"Dearest Children, God is near you,
Watching o'er you day and night,
And delights to own and bless you,
If you strive to do what's right.

He will bless you,
He will bless you,
If you put your trust in Him."