my life as a Christian

Bee-Stings and Empathy

2013-08-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

            Last summer I got my first bee-sting.
I was standing outside with a group of kids. All of a sudden my arm started to sting with pain and I looked down to find a stinger in my forearm as the bee flew away! When the kids saw what happened they started to show on their faces how terrible a bee sting is! They were talking loudly and energetically, saying a word over and over in Albanian, which I took to mean bee. I remember their worried faces as they found out I have been hurt. The next week when I saw the kids they immediately grabbed my arm to see how it was! They remembered! and wanted to see if I was ok. They kept checking until it was healed. I still have a mark to remember.

But wow this experience really stuck with me!


          Two parts of this story stick out to me:
1. They were so concerned about me and made sure I was alright, regardless of the language barrier. They remembered I had been hurt and reached out to me at every stage.

2. They reacted this way because they themselves had been stung before. They experienced the very thing I was going through. And because they had been through it before, they were able to empathize and care about me...

In life, we often are handed things that hurt us. Maybe even things we feel we didn't deserve, or that doesn't reflect upon us as a person; just like my little bee sting. However, because we get "stung" in life, we know how it feels when we later see someone else with the same wound.
Because of our hurtful past experiences, we are given the gift of empathy.
Regardless of whether we had someone to understand when we ourselves were stung, we can reach out in love and understanding to those who are in that situation now. At any and every stage you can empathize and be there for them.

The one who has the capacity to help each and every one of us, in Any and Every trial we face, is our Savior Jesus Christ. In the garden of Gethsemane, the night before he was taken to be crucified, he felt each of our pains, sins, sicknesses, distresses, Everything. He did this so He could perfectly understand how to comfort us and help us overcome it. He is our perfect example and healer.

Alma 7:11-12 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Whether you believe all this is from the hand of God, as I do, or not.. life experiences, especially the hard ones, are a gift. And the empathy we gain is to be used to help others in their lives. Many times, as we reach out to help another, we ourselves find a measure of peace and healing too.

So don't forget your bee stings or let them turn you bitter, recognize and use them as the gift they are.

1 Nephi 2: 2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain

Doctrine and Covenants 122:7-8 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

On my way to church...

2013-06-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

On my way driving to church, which by the way is a lovely drive, I had a few passing thoughts that were rather impactful..

I was thinking of something that happened recently that was, difficult to put simply. It caused me to go through lots of thoughts and emotions, many of which were not positive..

While I was driving I thought, what positive things or blessings, came from that experience.
Both of what happened preceding it, and when it happened.

It reminds me of the quote:

and not only looking at the positive that came from my situation before,

but the positive that came because of the change. (that's a BIG one!)

In this moment the reality of
1. How well God knows me
and 2. How much He blessed me

Helped me see and feel: How much God loves me!

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

2 Nephi 26: 24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may drawall men unto him

Doctrine and Covenants 122: 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

I love these scriptures!

They are so encouraging and, well although I am not bring cast into the deep or passing through hell,

So, I guess my take-home message is

1. God Loves Me. and if thats the case then He most Certainly Loves YOU!

2. Looking for the positive, trying to understand the blessings that God gave you, is Wonderful! It can change your whole outlook

3. Be Grateful -> Be Happy!

Oh, and when God is in charge,

Life is Beautiful!

...and I believe that to be true!

Uneasy at Church?

2013-05-19T17:56:00.001-07:00

puzzling...
sometimes we get a lot out of church. other times we dont.
Usually for me it goes from either feeling super uplifted and filled and excited! to being bored (but thats my fault)

Today I went to church, but as I sat through the first of three meetings, I noticed I wasnt exactly focused. (It can be easy to get distracted after a long week and things on your mind. Or even just getting a poor nights sleep..)

By the end of the first meeting I felt uneasy.. like almost anxious. I was trying to figure out, is this me? or is this God?

I left the main Sunday school and tried a smaller Sunday school class. Sat down, made friendly conversation. Still felt uneasy. I excused myself before the meeting began and sat in the hallway. At this point I felt frustrated.

I came to church to feel peace, or at least not this.
I was praying to know what to do. Is there something I need to change or do? Am I not in the right place right now? The thought came to me (as it had a few times in the past few weeks) should I go to the Singles ward?? (A congregation just for the young single adults in the church to go to)

So, I walked out to the car and drove over to the other building. I sat in the hallway for 10 minutes just listening to the speakers of their first meeting. One started his talk, and I started to feel the spirit, I started to feel at peace. It didnt last long, but it was a little reassuring. I walked in for the last 15 minutes and didnt know exactly how I felt..

I saw a friend I knew on the stand who spoke before I got there, and I went straight up to her when the meeting was over and asked for a hug. It was just what I needed.

We went to Sunday School together, but I didnt know how long I would stay if the same feelings came back. Partway through someone asked a question, one that I had received a specific answer for in the past that really made a difference for me. I felt the spirit burning in me, and shared my thoughts. Finally, PEACE. I felt so good...

Sometimes God pushes us in a way or a direction we dont understand. Sometimes we have to do the best we can and trust He will eventually get us where we need to be. Sometimes God puts us in specific places, but as I learned today in church: Everything God does for us is to ultimately make us Happy. I still dont know why I was led there, but I trust that God has a reason.

and I believe that to be true...

the Gospel: the Good News.

2013-05-13T17:11:00.001-07:00

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, or the good news that He came to atone for my sins and died and raised up again so that I could have the chance to live with God again and be completely and wonderfully happy,

do I really rejoice in it?

How incredible it is to know truth. Especially in a world that is always changing. To know principles of faith and love and hope, of God and Christ and miracles. For those who know a little more or a little less than that. For those who even desire to know truth. What a gift!

How much do I lean on my beliefs and faith? My testimony- the things I have grown to believe are true to one degree or another.

Where do I turn when things are getting rocky, or even hopeless as they can often seem?

Do I pick up my scriptures? Do I bow my head and open the channels of Heaven? Do I admit to God that I cannot do it on my own and I need Him? Do I trust that He will guide me? Am I grateful for my weaknesses and struggles? Do I go out and try to do good, lift my eyes for someone I could lift for Christ?

So What am I waiting for?! What are WE waiting for...
Come join me and partake of the goodness of God and His Good News!

(At left: Al Fox. This women has been an inspiration to me recently. She fills my soul with sunshine when she speaks!)

Take a minute and watch,

we all need a little sunshine:

Where Can I Turn For Peace?

2013-05-07T16:04:00.001-07:00

Sunday May 5 2013

Today I went to see the church leader that presides over the congregation, called a bishop. I went in feeling really down, my spirits were low to the point that my exhaustion was weighing me down even more. I told him what was on my mind and what was troubling me. He gave me advice and lovingly encouraged me. I asked him a question about specific guidance from the Lord, what I should do. He said that I didn’t need to do anything different, and then he paused for a moment. He then proceeded to tell me what I needed to hear. He asked me questions that, unless prompted by the Lord through the Holy spirit, he would not have thought to ask. This comforted me, both knowing what I needed to work on, and that Heavenly Father was aware of me and He works through the leaders of His church to help His children on earth.

This makes me more aware of the power of the Holy Spirit, of the calling from God that my bishop has, and the authority to preside over the members of my congregation.

This was just one instance today that I felt the hand of the Lord lifting me up. By the end of church, I felt peace that I did not come with, I had energy that I would not have imagined, and the strength to lift up my head and walk out into the world and face it again. This is one of the biggest reasons I Love going to church. We are healed and lifted and taught and loved.

As we search for Him, as we knock and ask for help, humble ourselves enough to kneel at His feet, He will reach our outstretched hand and joyfully lift us up.

I am learning this to be true.