Thursday, October 22, 2015

Hang in there when your heart feels like it is failing

If I were reading a book of my life and the lives of the people around me, this would be a page turner, that I would hate to set down because we are at the part where the reader is dying for some resolution.
If I were watching a TV series, I would know that is was sweeps month and all of the crazy stuff is happening for better ratings.
Because this life is neither a book or a TV series, I know that this "stuff" that is happening in everyone's lives is the crappy resistance that tries each of us. The world is growing darker, and the adversary to that which is good is upping his game. Some say that the end is near, and conversely some say that the future is brighter than ever, either way there is no denying the contention, the fighting in families, in neighborhoods, at work, as couples, as siblings, as parents and children.
We have to stop and ask where is this coming from? Why am I allowing my life to be torn apart? We have to stop and remember that there is hope and light ahead regardless of how hard our present circumstances are. We have to hold on, we have to have faith, we need to seek to grow our faith. We have to remember that there is one who is in charge and He knows the ending to this story.
In Luke Chapter 21 we read about how the Savior knew this would happen. He knew that the world would be in commotion and that men's (and women's) hearts would fail for fear. If He knew that 2000 years ago, don't you think He had a plan for it? He understands your hurt, your pain. He knows why you are frustrated and angry, He knows each sorrow. Turn to Him.
We will be hurt, we will struggle, we will want to give up, but we just can't. Just keep going, just keep trying, just keep believing. There is a bright, bright future ahead. This is a great video that reminds me not to give up.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

The Rescued becomes the Rescuer

On Sunday we had an awesome lesson about the Savior's admonition to "feed my sheep". It occurred to me that at different points we are each sheep and also shepherds. We all have times when we need to be 'fed' by others and also times when we know we have "feed" His sheep. This story popped up in my news feed from 3 years ago, it is about the rescued USS Nevada becoming the rescuer. 

I am grateful for the USS Nevada. (I went to a fireside tonight and learned about this amazing story of change.) During Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the battleship USS Arizona was destroyed, and the USS Nevada, despite a valiant fight, was struck by several bombs and left burning on a beach near Hospital Point.
While the USS Arizona remained in Pearl Harbor, the USS Nevada was recovered and repaired. It was re-outfitted with the latest technology and returned to sea. In time, the battleship USS Nevada became the flagship for the Normandy invasion.
The Nevada was the only ship that was present at both Pearl Harbor and Normandy. It went from beached and burning to one of the most effective and modernized battleships in the fleet. The rescued became the rescuer.
We all know individuals who are beached and burning, their lives in shambles, their spirits destitute of hope. Whether they have illness--mental, spiritual, or physical or have been hurt or betrayed. Some people may lose a spouse to death, or a parent, or lose a job, or suffer from an addiction. Some people allow themselves to be destroyed and sunk. But then there are people who are like the USS Nevada and literally rise from the ruble and allow themselves to be rescued and repaired. I know that the only one that can rescue and repair people is the Savior through the Atonement. Then there those that after being rescued and repaired turn and reach out to others and offer their lives in service and become examples of Christlike love and offer hope. They have become battleship USS Nevadas. Rescued to rescuer.