I can't do everything, but I can do something!

This past week our family has read and watched the account in Acts 3 of Peter healing a crippled man outside the temple. It is a beautiful account of serving with what you have. 

Acts 3:1-8

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

As I pondered about Peter, the new prophet over the Lord's church, I loved his perfect example of humility and giving what he had to give.

Peter was given the priesthood, the authority to do Jesus' work on earth in His absence. He knew he could use it, and he had faith that it would work.

I love his response to the crippled beggar asking "alms" in verse 6; 

"Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee."

I feel that in life we look at huge catastrophes and feel this deep yearning to do something. We all have divine nature in us that we want to help our brothers and sisters. But when it happens we stew over it, we worry over it, and when something else comes up it slips away and we end up doing nothing. 

One thing I love to say to myself is, "I can't do everything, but I can do something."

This saying keeps me from doing nothing.

One time while my children were young we were driving to the store and we happened upon a really bad car crash. It was near our home and the children looked out and said, "Oh no! Mom! Is anyone hurt?! Look at that car!" I could plainly see the car and my heart ached for whomever was involved. I felt for the drivers, the passengers, the police, the ambulances, and the firefighters. I felt so helpless, I wanted to stop and give a stranger a hug, I wanted to cry for the family, I wanted to find out who it was and make them food, I wanted to send flowers to the hospital, I wanted to do SOMETHING! 

But I was helpless, I knew no one involved, yet I had a feeling that I could help in some way. I simply didn't know how to do it.

Here was my moment. I couldn't do everything, but I can do something.

Knowing that I knew nothing of the circumstances of anyone involved, all I could think to do was pray. I asked my four year old daughter and two year old son to fold their arms in the parking lot of the store we were stopping at. I said a prayer. A simple prayer that I hoped would make it to the hearts of the families of all involved. I hoped that the faith of three small souls who came upon the aftermath of a life altering scene would help alleviate the smallest amount of hurt or pain. 

Now, years later, whenever there is a suspected or sudden death, a horrible storm near or far, we say a prayer. It was a teaching moment for me, just as much as for my children, that when you feel you can't do anything or when you can't do everything, the least you can do is sincerely pray.

We have all been given gifts, personal, wonderful gifts that are meant to help Heavenly Father help us in the whirlwind called life. 

"God does watch over us, and does notice us, but it is usually through someone else that he meets our needs." 

President Spencer W. Kimball

We need to remember that we CAN help someone, we can reach out and do something. The only person holding us back or putting doubt in our minds is Satan. 

Do something small, do something big, but always keep it within your means. The Lord doesn't expect you to give everything. But He does expect you to do something. Even if it's as simple as a prayer, a hug, a phone call, a visit or a card. 

If you have the time, give it. If you have the means, share it. If you have food, make it. If you have a prayer, pray it. 

Feeding the 5,000 thoughts

I have to admit that the account of Christ feeding the 5,000 is one of my favorites. 

I cannot begin to imagine how Jesus' day was that day. He was just told that His cousin, John the Baptist was beheaded. I wonder if He had even one moment alone to contemplate and reflect on His dear friend, cousin and prophet that just passed away so violently. After Jesus was told by His disciples He departed by ship to a desert place, I'm sure to be alone for a few moments.

But I imagine that news traveled quickly much like it does today. I imagine the people who heard this, went as a ward or congregation of Saints would have done. They would go to the person who is suffering and give their support and love.

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Matt 14: 13-14

13. When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

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I'm sure the people, much like us, lost track of time and didn't realize they would be staying until evening with Jesus. I'm sure they started to get a little hungry, but wanted to stay with Jesus in His hour of need to show their support. Jesus, always knowing their thoughts and their intents, He knew He could feed them.

This is one of the beautiful things I love about this account. He simply TOOK WHAT THEY HAD. He blessed it and gave thanks for what they had and made a miracle happen.

Christ will take what you give Him. He will take you as you are, and He will BLESS YOU and THANK YOU for being you. When you turn all you have over to Him, He will make far more out of you than you could ever imagine. 

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Matt 14: 19-20

19. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

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I started questioning the 12 baskets of left overs. What did they do with them? 

This is what I imagine.

I imagine that Christ told a few people to share what they had seen and heard. I imagine that Christ told them to take the bread and tell them that this is the TRUE reason of the bread. 

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John 6:35

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

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Christ wasn't a baker who could make their lives easy by magically feeding them for the rest of their days, but He could feed their souls FOREVER. And if those who were "poor is spirit" wanted more, that they had a way. Follow Jesus and believe in Him, and you will have everlasting life.

I saw this exact miracle happen in my life. Literally feeding people with nothing. I am sure it has happened to others, but this was my experience.

We were at Girls Camp. I was the stake girls camp director and I had a team to help me. One of which was my oldest sister. She was over the food. That woman can feed an ARMY. She is meticulous and detailed. She remembers EVERYTHING. She knows exactly what to buy for how many and rarely has too little or too much of anything. She is organized, precise, and seriously one of the best cooks I know. She has been over food for girls camp the previous two girls camps we did together. This year of girls camp was different than the past two years. We were in a more remote location than before and for different circumstances needed food to be brought to us for dinner. Every night we had ward Relief Societies come together and bring prepared and ready dinners to us. It was WONDERFUL. However, one night, we had "walking tacos" a.k.a. tacos in a bag of chips. It was one of our favorites for girls camp, everyone loved them. The ward Relief Society remembered everything... except lettuce. Lettuce is kind of essential to tacos.

We hit panic mode. What could we do? 

My meticulous sister started scrambling and going through each fridge and cooler we had and MIRACULOUSLY had one single head of iceberg lettuce and one large bag of shredded cabbage. We had over 130 people to feed which consisted of growing girls and adults who are always hungrier when camping. 

My sister and I went into the back room and said a prayer together. We were thankful that we had one small head of lettuce and one large bag of shredded cabbage. We were thankful for this opportunity to be at girls camp, where we could help spiritually feed these young women and leaders in a safe and beautiful environment. We asked that the Lord help us stretch the lettuce and cabbage as far as it would go. We would prepare it and we would put the rest in His hands. We were asking for a "Feed the 5,000" scenario, but we would take whatever He could give.

We shredded that lettuce as finely as possible and even shredded the shredded cabbage more. We ended up with a medium/large bowl of lettuce and cabbage mix. We grabbed small tongs and set it on the serving table.

All week long we had ward young women serve the food so it was easier and kept the line moving faster. I stepped in and took over serving the lettuce. I would be sure to give a small portioned amount and kept praying in my heart that I could stretch it as far as I could. I looked down at my medium sized bowl of lettuce cabbage mix, and then I looked up at the longest line I had ever seen. My heart sunk. All I could do was pray. The young women or leaders around me had no idea what was going on in my heart and mind. Only my sister and I knew of this worry. The prayer was given on the food and then it began.

As the line stated coming through, I kept placing lettuce and cabbage on each plate, smiling and talking with the young women and leaders. Every single scoop I took from the bowl I said a prayer. 

EVERY . SINGLE . SCOOP I PRAYED.

I realized about 50-60 people through the line, that my bowl of cabbage and lettuce was exactly where it had started. It was as if I hadn't taken even one scoop out of my medium sized bowl. I started to tear up and had to hold it together until the meal was done. I kept scooping and kept scooping. I continually watched what my earthly eyes could not comprehend, but what my heart understood. 

This was a miracle.

My sister came about half way through and asked me quietly how it was going. She looked down at my near full bowl with awe. She started tearing up, and I said with tears in my eyes, "It's happening. It's the 5,000. I can't think about it right now, so go away and we can talk about it later." Her eyes held tears as she understood and said, "Yes, I understand." Then she went away to over see other things, before we both burst into tears at the miracle we were both witnessing.

It may not have been a big deal to many, but in that moment it was a big deal to my sister and I. Christ knew of our struggles and He knew our righteous desire to feed many with little. 

Whatever is important to you, is important to Him.

I saw a miracle. I am sure you can believe what happened next. We had enough lettuce/cabbage to feel every last person. It was beautiful, and I still cry when I recall this experience. 

Heavenly Father will hear and answer your prayers. He will make miracles happen in your life. Big or small. Everything happens for a reason. Would we have been okay without lettuce and cabbage in our tacos that day? Yes, we would have been fine. But He used that to teach me a very valuable lesson that I will never forget. 

He is aware of ME. 
And I KNOW HE IS AWARE OF YOU. 

We are the Lord's hands

"A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”" 

(“You Are My Hands” Dieter F. Uchtdorf April 2010)

When I first heard this short story, I can honestly say that it changed my life. It was told in a primary lesson I was listening to, and my mind was captivated by the thought of ME being the Lord's hands. How had I been the Lord's hands that day? How had I been His hands in the past week? 

From that day on, I pray every morning that I can be His hands in some way. Small or large, simple or complicated. I can love someone, somewhere as He would love them.

The conference talk given by Elder Uchtdorf continued..."True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long—we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it—but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

Christ did not just speak about love; He showed it each day of His life. He did not remove Himself from the crowd. Being amidst the people, Jesus reached out to the one. He rescued the lost. He didn’t just teach a class about reaching out in love and then delegate the actual work to others. He not only taught but also showed us how to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.”

Christ knows how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result.

If we are His hands, should we not do the same?"

Being a true disciple of Christ means to LIVE what you know. Live the gospel in a way that no one can doubt that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Christ knows what people are going through. He is the ONLY PERSON who knows EXACTLY what you are going through. Your thoughts, actions and struggles. He knows YOU. Not only does he know YOU, but he knows EVERYONE. By asking Him to help you find someone to help, He will direct your path and put you in a place where you can be the one to uplift another.

Proverbs 3:5-6
"5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

You may not understand why you are lead to a specific person at a specific time, but Christ knows. He knows you, and He knows who needs your talents and testimony to help them in their life at that moment.

BE HIS HANDS.

"God does watch over us, and does notice us.
But it is usually through someone else that He meets our needs."
-President Spencer W. Kimball

Who am I in the story of, "The Man Taken with a Palsy?"

Luke 5: 17-25

17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judæa, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

18 ¶ And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

This story has been going through my mind for the past few days. Sometimes when I read scripture stories I like to ask myself, who would I be in this story?

When I read this story I pictured myself as a bystander. Listening, or at least TRYING to listen and get a glimpse of Jesus. It seems that this was a very busy day for Christ. There were doubters, curious listeners, believers, law men trying to twist His words to accuse him of wrong doing, etc. 

I imagined I saw family members who had seen so much pain and hurt in their brother or son that they had to ACT! They believed so much in Jesus's healing power, that they took their brother or son who was stricken with a palsy to be healed. They grabbed a sturdy cot they could carry him in and set off to find Jesus. This family would have had incredible faith and must have known that if anyone could heal their brother or son, it was Jesus.

I'm sure as they approached this home (or building) Christ was teaching in, that they were not ready for the crush of people that were watching and listening to Jesus. I'm sure they had to bolster one another, they had come this far and they would not be deterred.

 (I imagine the doorway was large enough for the cot because Jesus would not tell the man to take up his "couch" and walk if it wouldn't have fit through the door) 

I imagine they asked others to kindly move so they could ask Jesus to heal their brother. I imagine people would either snub them and not move, or some would push them away claiming they shouldn't be there. 

I can only imagine the heart ache they would feel when others would not help. 

This is where I ask myself the question, WHO AM I IN THIS STORY?

Am I the bystander who snubs them and only thinks of seeing Jesus myself?

OR

Am I the one who helps them, and finds the ladder?

In just about ANY life situation we need to ask ourselves, Who will I be? Who does Christ want me to be? Will I judge others quickly and shoo them away? Or will I love them and help them find a way to Christ?

I love how Jesus healed this man's spirit before He healed his body. "Thy sins are forgiven thee." 

He healed this man spiritually before He healed him physically. What does that teach us about spiritual health? 

It is just as important, to be spiritually strong, as it is to by physically strong. 

Jesus preformed many miracles in His short 32 years of life, but don't think for one moment that His miracles have ceased. Look for His fingerprint in your life. Many people dwell on the negative in their lives and how much they wish it would improve. It's great to assess your life and look for options to make it better, but don't be sucked down into only negative thoughts. Be grateful for what you have. Look at all the things that went RIGHT today, not the things that went wrong.  

You were blessed with breath today, and a heart that is beating. 

Who can you speak to and share your heart with? 

Don't Keep Me in the Dark

We were assigned to clean the church, I was on chapel duty, MY FAVORITE! I love vacuuming with a vacuum that looks like it could make my jet pack dreams come true! (FYI - If I could have any super power, it would be to fly!)

I walked into the black chapel with my jet pack and extension cord, then turned on the only light switch in this corner of the large room. I plugged in and started my job. As I began vacuuming, my eyes became adjusted to the low light. I knew I could walk across the room and turn on many more lights, but I was on a roll and wanted to get done quickly as the rest of my family were busy doing other jobs around the building. I knew I could see just fine, so I kept going, pew after pew. Checking the hymnal holders and vacuuming all surfaces, over and under the benches. As I was working I saw out of the corner of my eye a few heads peek in and then leave. Missionaries, or Family History workers, I'm not sure which. Curiosity is human nature. But I noticed later that no one bothered to to turn on another light. I didn't ask them to, and they never offered. We never spoke, we just kept on going with our assignments. 

I continued vacuuming and I came closer to the excess of light switches on the far wall. I reached over the stand and turned on the nearest two switches. H.O.L.Y C.O.W!!!!! My eyes were quickly opened and I could see everything SOOO MUCH CLEARER!! I had done a good job vacuuming before, but now I could see even better, and so much easier! I didn't realize how much my eyes were straining until the lights came on. I physically relaxed more and kept vacuuming with a smile on my face. I started thinking, who have we left in the dark? Who is living in the dark, not realizing there is more light in this life to have?! How many people do we see going through life in dim lighting and never offer or tell them about more switches? By simply "switching" a few things in your life, you can gain more light and a brighter perspective of EVERYTHING! I still hadn't switched on all of the lights. I added just a few at a time.

C.S. Lewis said, "I believe in the God like I believe in the sun, not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else."

By adding more light in our lives, even if it's a little at a time, we can have a better view of what we are doing. A better perspective of where we are going and why we are here. I don't know about you, but I don't like being left in the dark. Everyone has come to the fold of this church and been in the dim light before or has had an ancestor who found the light and brought it to their posterity. If you are a first generation convert or have been a member your entire life, you still had to find the light of Christ for yourself. 

Alma 5: 6-7 & 26

6. And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren (and sisters), you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?

7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word...

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? 

YOU must be full of light before you can give light to someone else.

Christ taught us to, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Are we letting our shine so we can bring people closer to Heavenly Father? The TRUE source of truth and light? Are we being good examples and OFFERING to help others find the light switches?

If you feel you are failing, take President Lorenzo Snow's advice. "Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today." 

Be the LIGHT someone needs in their life. Don't leave them in the dim lighting, they don't even know what they are missing! You have to SHOW them! We've all been in dim lighting before. Share what you have found, tell them about the switches you clicked and the understanding and light you have now! Don't keep others in the dark, help bring them into the light!

Your words and actions can bless or haunt

Recently our family has been talking about our words and actions to other people. How are our actions perceived by others? Are our words being taken to heart? Does what we say or do really matter?

I can honestly say YES! Because they matter to me. I am CONSTANTLY asking the question, "How do you think that makes them feel?" or, "How would you like it if he/she said that to you?!"

My kids then understand that if they were in the receiving end of those actions or words, they would either appreciate or dislike the result.

Being a parent is hard, and teaching your kids empathy and understanding can be tricky. This has helped our family immensely. Simply asking the question in a calm tone, "Why would you do/say that?" "How would you feel if I did/said that to you?"

I have been hearing about cyber bullying or simply lack of respect in schools, churches and at home. Children and teens these days often don't realize the course of their actions.

PEOPLE REMEMBER HOW YOU ACT AND WHAT YOU SAY!

The words and actions your do and say can bless you later in life, or haunt you.

Let me explain.

I talk often to older women whose children are grown and have children of their own. I learn much from their experiences and enjoy their company. 

When we recall someone from the past, their minds instantly go to how that person treated them, or their child. With one friend, it has been over 15 years since one of her daughters has graduated high school. And this mother still vividly remembers the person, and rude or harsh words that were said to her daughter.

On the flip side, she also recalls with perfect recollection, the kind people in her life and her daughter's life. 

How do you want to be remembered? You can't change the past, but you can shape your future. Only YOU have the power to change the way YOU act and behave.

I am haunted by the thoughts of my unkind words or actions during middle school and high school. I pray they weren't bad enough for people to remember years and years later. I hope others understand that people CAN change, and you need to let them have a second chance. No one is perfect, especially in middle school and high school.

I am also blessed by the memories of kindness people have shown and taught me over the years. I pray that I can bless others around me through my words and actions.

Train yourself to ask, "How would I like it if that word was said to me?" 

"How would that make me feel, if they did that to me?"

"Will this word or action bless me? Or haunt me?"

CHOOSE LOVE AND KINDNESS!

 KINDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS!

SPREAD IT AROUND LIKE SUNSHINE ON A SUMMERS DAY! 

Blessing Blockers

Yesterday the kids and I watched the short video of

 Elder Utchdorf's called, "A Shower of Heavenly Blessings". 

If you haven't seen it, IT'S MARVELOUS! 

Click HERE to see the video

After the video I had a short and sweet teaching moment with my kids. We got into a small discussion about the umbrellas, what they were, and how they were "blessing blockers." 

What are some of the things in our lives that block us from receiving the blessings that Heavenly Father is constantly raining down on us?

The kids then said;

"being mean"

"not being nice"
(Okay that's basically the same thing as "being mean".. ha ha)

"hitting people"

"not paying tithing"

"not listening to teachers"

"not helping mom or dad"

"complaining"

etc.

It was wonderful to hear that my eight year old and six year old understood what it was to have blessings being blocked from them. 

I then asked, "Do we want blessings? Or should we put up an umbrella to block out Heavenly Father?"

They then both shouted, "NO! WE WANT BLESSINGS!"

This was an out of the blue teaching moment. I was not preparing to talk about this today but it was what we needed! The Spirit often works that way. It took 5 minutes out of our day to watch a video and now change our perspective on blessings. We need to be aware of our actions so we can keep that umbrella down and receive the pouring of blessings in our lives. This short message also shows how much LOVE our Father in Heaven has for us. He wants to bless us, He wants us to put down our umbrellas of doubt, fear and sin. He wants us to be followers of Him and His Son, by learning of Him and following His example.