My stake conference was so wonderful last week that I have lots of quotes and ideas to share. All the talks were good, but I want to share a few more things from my stake president's talk. They might seem kind of random since I took them from different parts of his talk, but they are all great. I wish you were all there. My Stake President is awesome.
My Stake President found an article online (which I couldn't find in my own search) that talked about several people who were supposed to be working in the World Trade Center on the morning of 9/11. Each of them had some kind of irritation or inconvenience that made them late. I can’t remember the reasons, but for example, one woman spilled food on her shirt and she had to change her clothes before she left. Another man missed a bus. Another one was waiting for a babysitter to come who was late. All these people thought these things were annoyances in their lives, but it is possible (of course we don't know) that they happened on purpose for a reason that wasn’t known to them, but was to our Heavenly Father. We should look at things in our lives in the same way. We should think, “This is exactly where the Lord wants me to be at this moment.”
“If God allows a trial to continue despite faith, prayers and blessings, then maybe God, who know you and what you need, may just be trying to use that trial to save you." Quote from my Stake President. Of course, that saving may not always be our physical lives, but our spiritual ones.
"Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a 'healing' cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are 'healed' by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us." Dallin H. Oaks, "He Heals the Heavy Laden," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 7-8
Then he read this poem which he found online. I can't find an author so if anyone knows, please let me know.
I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No. You must grow on your own! But I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
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First of all, thanks for your recent comment on my blog.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, what wonderful thoughts from your Stake President. The beginning about things that we many see as annoyances but really may have a purpose reminded me of something a sister said in Relief Society this last week.
She arrived with her family a little late to church, the overflow was not open, and the chapel was pretty much filled. There was one spot left that was quite scrunched for her family of 5 and her pregnant belly. But they sat there anyway, and at first she was slightly annoyed that they hadn’t opened the overflow. Then as she started to think her feelings changed. First she realized that she could have prevented this situation by being there on time and then further reflection caused her to see the good that came from it. Our ward was all sitting close together and there was a great feeling of unity in the room, something that does not happen often with everyone spread into the overflow.
I loved your thoughts on this. Thanks for sharing. It really does seem that there is a purpose in everything if we will only look for it.