In all seriousness, I have been thinking.
Two weeks ago the Branch Presidency told all the Elder's Quorum and Relief Society Presidents that we would need to take a few minutes during our combined meeting that will be held at church tomorrow and tell the branch members what we think the branch needs. Well, this is a daunting task, as we only get 3 or 4 minutes to express our thoughts AND there are almost 600 members of the branch. This makes me slightly nervous.
I have thought and prayed and this is what I have come up with:
We all have faced and will continue to face trials, challenges, and disappointments during our lives. You can't have made it this far in life without hitting a few speed bumps along the way. Whether it be temptations that are difficult to withstand, disappointment related to relationships or the lack thereof, frustration with jobs, or fears that are hard for us to get a handle on, pretty much life has most likely not turned out for anyone the way they imagined it would. I have recently dealt with a trial that has been extremely difficult for me, but I can tell you that I feel a strength from the Lord in my life. I am trying so hard not to let this challenge take over my life and Heavenly Father is truly helping me in this. I have never had such an experience before where I have felt love and hope like I have these past few weeks; it's amazing! Truly, it is a miracle!!
I am reminded of the people of Alma when they were in bondage to the Lamanites and Amulon and the other wicked priests of Noah were given power over them:
"And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort....And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the the will of the Lord." Mosiah 24:13-15.
The burden has not been taken away from me - I still feel sad and discouraged at times. But somehow, through the Atonement I am being strengthened and I am being filled with hope. There have been so many tender mercies from the Lord that have helped me as I work to get through this trial. And believe me, it is work - I have to strive to keep my thoughts positive and to actually turn to the Lord through prayer, scripture study, temple worship, etc., but I see that as I am doing the best I know how the Lord is expanding and magnifying my efforts. I stand as a witness that the Lord does visit his people in their afflictions. He is aware of me, and knew before the trial began that it was coming. He sent tender mercies to prepare me, and has continued to bless me as I work through the trial. The love and hope I feel is truly amazing, and I know that this is only possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ- I don't know how it works but I know it does. I am so blessed and grateful!
At stake conference this last week we were counseled to find out what the Holy Ghost is inviting us to do to build our faith and hope in Christ. I think that as members of the branch and stake we need to take this counsel to heart. I think if each of us can figure out what our own answer to that question is and then act on that answer we will build hope and faith in the Savior and we will come to not just believe in Him, but believe Him when he says he will take care of us. We will allow Him to take care of us and ease our burdens, we will allow His Atonement to be active in our lives. Something I am learning is that WE must allow the Savior to help us. He stands at the ready to help, but if we insist on doing it alone, or insist on being miserable, He won't step in and force us to accept what He offers. I testify that God our Father and His son Jesus Christ, are aware of each one of us, that they love us and that one of their greatest desires is to help us in this life to be happy - life doesn't have to be so hard if we let them help us get through it.
