The Hand of the Lord

The past six months have been filled with trials and wonderful blessings. I won't go into detail about the trials, but I will share one of the greatest blessings I have discovered on this short journey. First of all it began with a trial that was heart-breaking for me...I needed to know that my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ, were 'there' for me, and for my family. I needed to more than feel it, I needed to witness it, to surround myself with their concern and love for me and my family. What it boils down to is I needed strength.

Back in October 2007 President Eyring gave a talk in General Conference entitled, "O Remember, Remember".  In this talk he shared about an experience that led to him keeping a daily journal on how the hand of God had blessed his and his family's life.

He said, "I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

"More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened." 

Back in September I began the same type of journal. Every night, without fail, I have written where I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life or my family's life.  What a blessing this has been for me.

I have also been worried about the future of our country, Pat's job, finances, etc.  It hasn't overtaken how I look at life but it has made me more aware and we have taken steps to be prepared for whatever comes our way - as best we can. We continue to make strides in food storage, financial stability, etc. I feel we have been blessed to see where and how we can be prepared. 

I read The Book of Mormon daily and have a testimony of it's truthfulness. I see the patterns of the Nephites and the destruction that eventually comes to them - and I see our country heading the same direction. That is when I become scared. (I am human after all!)

Last night as I read in Ether 12 I was struck by this message:

 "And Ether was a prophet of the Lord;  wherefore Ether…began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him.

"For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled—

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope  cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

That passage brought me great comfort...that we can 'hope for a better world'. As I continued reading and pondering I was then struck by this:

"And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people…And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

"Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled.

"For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith."

There is much to gain from the above passages of scripture - so much information, comfort, guidance... but for the purpose of what I needed at this time, this is what I gained:

As we exercise our faith, God will do miracles. Why shouldn't we expect miracles to take place? If we are living the gospel to the best of our ability He will bless us, and He will take care of us. It may not be in the way that we hope it will be, but He knows best, so we should have faith in Him and as always, desire His will. He loves us, He wants to be 'there' for us...He will not leave us alone, unless we want Him to. What a blessing to have this knowledge.  - and what a blessing to have the Book of Mormon and other scriptures as a part of the hand of the Lord to guide us and give us the strength we need. My testimony has been strengthened by taking note of the Hand of the Lord in my life on a daily basis.  How full my heart is of love for my Father and my Savior.