It is 3 o'clock in the morning and the spirit as the prophets would put it "has constrained me that I should write these things". At the beginning of this post I don't know why or for whom. Maybe it is for me but I cannot sleep and the spirit keeps telling me to get up and write this.. This is not a common occurrence in my life but I cannot ignore it. Ken would be the first to tell you that I can sleep through almost anything.
Since we have been here, it am beginning to realize the real power of the priesthood. More especially, I am realizing the blessing of having it daily in my home. As I lay awake thinking about it, realizing how rare it is to have that privilege when surrounded by people who don't have it, I began to think about all the times in my life that it has been manifest.
The first one that came to mind was when Jamie died and the peace it brought me when nothing else would bring me peace. I called on it almost daily in those times, whether by the laying on of hands or prayer, when there seemed no peace to be had, it protected me. Next, I thought of the time when I was expecting her and we didn't know I was pregnant yet. I was so sick. They thought I had lymphoma or some rare disease. They quarantined me at the hospital until they figured out what it was, shingles in my sciatic nerve and chicken pox at the same time. Only after tons of pain killer and several x-rays did they come to this conclusion along with the conclusion that I was carrying a baby that had been bombarded by all of this. I had a priesthood blessing at three months in the pregnancy and I very literally felt that baby "flip" inside me to allow me to know that she was going to be fine.
With every pregnancy thereafter, there were multiple blessings. Some of comfort, some simply miraculous that led to positive results. With Jen, my water broke at 5 months. I carried her for 2 months more and no one will convince me that she is not a miracle. When I did deliver her, she was healthy and strong. She literally "saved my life" in a time of great despair. With Micah, it kept me going when I hemorrhaged internally on losing his twin. It kept him alive one Christmas Eve when the ward gathered to fast and pray for a baby not yet born. It kept us going though he was very sick, through night after night of monitors beeping when we didn't want them to, signaling he had stopped breathing. Ten months later, it comforted me when after surgery I got an infection that sent my temperature soaring to 106 and I heard a voice calling my name. It was not the voice of anyone standing around me. I can only describe it as a clear voice coming from somewhere beyond the veil calling my name. I can remember thinking I can't go yet I have to raise these children and I was blessed to stay.
It brought me peace when President Benson laid his hands on Micah's little head and blessed him that he "would have the health and strength of mind and body to accomplish everything he was sent to earth to do". I have used that priesthood power to pull me through so many terrible times. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by it. Whether it was Ken or our dads, my sons or my brothers and now my grandsons and nephews and friends, brothers in the gospel, it is all the same. I have only to ask.
It has not always brought the results I had hoped, as in Jamie's death, but it has always brought with it peace and the knowledge that if I remain faithful, it will bring the "right" outcome. It has always brought with it courage and strength. It has always buoyed me up and seen me through. It has helped me to understand that I very literally am a daughter of God and that no matter what, though I go through trials, He is always with me, loving me and has given a gift to bless my and so many other lives.
Michael, this is for you. Don't doubt! You were saved for this time in your life to have this gift. It will bring you nothing but blessings. Don't doubt it, only believe. You will never regret it! Sarah, this is for you. Your sons will be safe in Heavenly Father's care to accomplish all that they were sent to earth to do. Whatever needs doing you can do if you call on this power to help you do it. You are surrounded by many good priesthood holders to help you. Amanda, this is for you. Get the help that is available to you through earthly means and then seek that priesthood at every turn. It will bring you peace and comfort but only if you use the other resources available to you. You know it! You father is living breathing evidence of it's power. All the doctors skill would not have saved him had he not had those blessings. To all my children, honor this power! In this day and time of sin and disobedience, it is a very real port in any storm!
To the rest of you who read this, just believe in whatever circumstance you find yourself, you are not alone while this power exists on earth as the "pure love of Christ". All you need to do is ask with priesthood power and whatever is best for you through the Lord's will can be given you if only you believe.
No comments:
Post a Comment