Reaches my Reaching

In the past two weeks, I've been truly awed and amazed at my Heavenly Father's tender mercies.  It's like He's sending me all these little notes to remind me that everything is going to work out perfectly because He's there and He's trying to teach me some things to help me in the future.

It all started with me being very overwhelmed with everything that is going on in my life right now.  I was studying a miracle of Jesus and discovered a lesson I hadn't really thought about before this point in my life.  In Luke 8: 41-42 and Mark 5:25-34, we read the story of Jesus going to heal the daughter of Jarius.  As He is on his way "the people thronged him" (Luke 8:42).  In the crowd came a woman who had been suffering for twelve years with an issue of blood.  This woman had spent all her money and time paying physicians to heal her and none of them were able to do so. Can you imagine her feelings when she realized that there was nothing to be done? Twelve years is a long time!  Then she heard of Jesus and said to herself, "If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole" (Mark 5:28).  She "came in the press behind, and touched his garment" (Mark 5:27). She reached for Him, and she was made whole.

As I asked myself how this miracle applied to me I asked myself if I was reaching towards the Savior as the woman did to be healed and comforted.  For us in this day and age, we aren't physically reaching towards Him, but are we praying for His help? Are we patient in long suffering? Are we reading our scriptures and attending the temple?  Are we searching for answers?  Are we reaching?

My honest answer to that is what it usually is when I get overwhelmed by life.  I've been busy and haven't been taking the time to do those little important things that would help me stay centered and not get so overwhelmed. So I wrote some momentums (intentions/goals) to do during the week.  Basically I was going to make sure I took the time to pray, read my scriptures, and write in my journal everyday.  Even if it was something short and sweet, it would be a perfect way to start reaching. And just like He usually does, He is reaching my reaching "straightway" (Mark 5:29) or "immediately" (Luke 8:44). As much as I wish He would, He's not taking this from me, but He is helping me along. He's providing me with little things that are said or done by others or little things I remember as I'm plugging along.  Things that remind me to be grateful for what I have.  Things that remind me to focus on what matters most and leave the rest to Him.

This post has taken me a couple weeks to write.  I haven't really known how to say what I want to say.  I guess it all boils down to trusting in the Lord.  He brings us to our learning experiences, and we get to trust that even when it's hard and we stumble or feel like we can't go on, He will help us through it.  He will fill us with comfort.  He will help us to heal. If we reach. If we allow Him to be a part of our lives. If we just ask! He's there waiting for us to reach for Him.  As soon as we do, he immediately will reach our reaching.  Immediately He will help us.  Immediately He will give us exactly what we need.  Maybe what we need is just a friend to call and say hello.  Maybe what we need is a gentle reminder of what is truly important. Maybe what we need is to continue through this trial, so we can learn and grow to the next level of our Soulful Brilliance!  He will help us!  He will be the peace we need!

Luvz,
Meg :0)

Becoming More

As January came to a close this year, I had studied and thought about becoming more.  Becoming more aware of the tender mercies that surround me.  Becoming more aware of the little moments when Heavenly Father is touching my life and trying to teach me something important.  Becoming more willing and able to do the little things to help me keep the Spirit with me.  In her book Becoming His, Emily Freeman shares this quote from H. David Burton's conference talk in October 2004: "The virtues expressed in 'More Holiness Give Me' fall into several groups.  Some are personal goals, like more holiness give me; more strivings within; more faith, gratitude, and purity; more fit for the kingdom; more purpose in prayer; and more trust in the Lord.  Others center on adversity.  They include patience in suffering, meekness in trial, praise for relief, strength to overcome, freedom from earthstains and longing for home.  The rest firmly anchor us to our Savior: more sense of His care; more pride in His glory; more hope in His word; more joy in His service; more tears for His sorrows; more pain at His grief; more blessed and holy; and more, Savior, like Thee."

I often feel the call to become more in my life.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed by what I everything I "need" to do or "should" do.  The perfectionist in me wants me to be perfect now, but that's not really realistic, is it? I have realized on my journey the past three years, that I get to recognize the good I'm already doing.  I get to CELEBRATE my successes right now!  Then I can look at what more I want to do and make a game plan on how to get there.

The last few weeks, as I have struggled with my perfectionist's more and my actual abilities, I found myself asking the question, "What's the best way to become more?"  I submit that it is learning more about the Savior and His teachings.  One way I have been learning more about the Savior is through reading about the miracles He performed as He was living here on earth.  There are some amazing stories of love and...well...miracles!  Through the next month I'd like to share some of my favorites with you. This journey of reading of His miracles and applying them to my own life has reminded me of how blessed I truly am and reminded me to be more grateful for the blessings I have!  I can't wait to share some of my discoveries with you!

This week if you find yourself overwhelmed by what more you "need" to do or "should" be doing, take a moment to stop and breathe deeply.  Think about all the little things in your life that you are blessed with. The more you stop to look, the more you will find a message that Heavenly Father has been trying to tell you.  A message just for you.  A message of love and encouragement.  A message that you aren't alone.  A message that no matter what you are or are not doing, He loves you unconditionally.  Your value has always been infinite!  You matter!

Luvz,
Meg :0)