Thoughts for the week…
Life changing thoughts usually only happen in the shower for me.
Moms? Anyone? Am I right? I swear it is because it’s finally quiet enough for me to feel and hear.
But tonight it was in my pajamas on the couch with socks on because 90 degrees out doesn’t mean I ditch the socks, naaaah I’m committed for life.
“Yea, even that ye would have SO MUCH FAITH as even to plant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of its goodness.” Alma 34
So Much Faith
Hold the phone.
Since when do we do SO MUCH FAITH when we are at our weakest and just starting to experiment on prayers and God?
I mean, to experiment by planting a good seed in your heart, for example, deciding to pray every day and see if you become closer to God or deciding to love your neighbor as the Bible teaches and see how the experiment goes usually means it’s coming from someone who isn’t already a strong believer.
So why call that a whole heck of a lot of faith?!
Doesn’t this man know that in the real world we call those people, the ones just starting to go to the gym to lose weight the out of shape ones, not the “so much” strength ones?!
Or is he right?
You Have Faith Already
Call it like it is, you just deciding to try isn’t stubbornness in trying to prove a point or laziness in rolling on out the door to try something, darn it! It’s faith!!
Call it by it’s real name!
That’s faith!!! You have faith already! Say it!
I’ll Do It With You
When each of these littles starts experimenting on “the word” I hope I’m there saying, wow, you are so faithful and amazing! I’ll do it with you, vs shivering in fear by their questions and searching.
Let’s do this. You already have “so much faith”, that’s pretty incredible, you just needed to say it out loud because no one tried something life changing, something that will dictate the rest of your life without it, faith is already there.
You Already Had It
Surprise!
And you, you thought it’s what you would grow, discover, earn or be granted, but alas, you already had it.
The years no one wants to show off photos for?
Junior high.
But this was around the time that my parents took us on a vacation from our home in Vancouver, Washington to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and an experience that shook me.
Turbulence
We were flying in a tiny airplane to get into the small airport when turbulence that shook us so hard I was not the only one squeezing my eyes shut with tears streaming down.
I have hit bad turbulence in flights many times since that occasion, but none have been as jolting and terrifying. I knew we would go down, I just knew it.
When we finally landed in Wyoming I vowed to never be in such a small plane again as did the few other passengers.
Handling Turbulence
In just a few days I have happened upon the same truth with both examples being storms.
“What do you suppose pilots do when they encounter turbulence?
A student pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them through the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do.
Professional pilots understand that there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence. And most of the time that would mean to REDUCE your speed. The same principle applies also to speed bumps on a road.
Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.” Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Of Things That Matter Most, Oct. 2010– @dieterfuchtdorf
Constant Turbulence
I had the gnarliest teeth and frizziest hair, but I felt the world was going to be me falling in love, raising a family, seeing the world and creating a beautiful home.
All true-ish.
I find myself standing in constant turbulence.
Constant.
Most of the time I’m good, but occasionally I feel the drops and bumps and I find myself wanting to push through and be done with this year.
Slow Down
But multiple times in a week hearing the call to slow down and get back to the essentials is no coincidence at all.
I’m cancelling activities and errands as I can.
Going on bike rides.
Reading stories before bed and scriptures when we wake.
We are focusing on the simple truths:
❤️ what truth do you feel children need right now?
Mary
Indeed, I will leave comment. YOU ARE THE MOST UPLIFTING LADY EVER. Thank you so much for sharing with us. You give me the inspiration to go on. I am now alone as a widow, sounds so weird
after 57 years. It will be one year the 26th of Sept, a hard year indeed because I too have Cancer and going through treatment. I pray each day for our lives to get back to the old normal, but I am afraid this will never happen. It is friends like you that keep me going Thank you and God bless you and your Beautiful family, hugs and love, Mary
Sweet Basil
I’m so sorry for your loss Mary! I’ve heard the year of first is so, so hard. And then to be going through a physical trial yourself during this time that is so isolating. My heart goes out to you my friend! You will be in our prayers for sure! Thank you for your support! Xoxo!