Inspiring Thoughts LEAPING from the Page

Yesterday I was physically having a challenging day.  I was exhausted and tense, and just needed some time to take a rest. 

I still like to open my scriptures first thing in the morning and read what the Lord wants to say to me, so I initially picked up my new, small set of scriptures and planned to read some chapters in preparation for our scripture group next month. 

However, I saw my larger set of scriptures sitting on the table, as well, which contains many markings I made a few years ago when I went through the scriptures looking for passages that "leaped" out at me.

That's an interesting and beautiful process . . . to open the scriptures and read a verse, a phrase, or a word that strikes your core and fills you with the Lord's Spirit--like it was written long ago just for you. 

The first scripture I read was 1 Nephi 4:6  about being "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."

That's my life right now.  I pray for guidance each morning (and throughout the day), my husband and I gather in prayer, Saren and I pray before our phone calls, and we all ask the Spirit to help us with our work.  Then the Lord leads us to the places we need to be.  He introduces us to those who will teach us.  He strengthens us and helps to shape us for what lies ahead--even though we can't see past June.  I love that.

I then read a series of phrases throughout the scriptures: "be diligent," others will "take courage at [the] words" we speak, we will receive "much strength of the Lord," our "joy [can be] full," He will give us the "power whereby [we can] accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded," we "shall not occupy [our website] with things which are not of worth unto" the mothers of the earth," "the Lord is able to do all things," "press forward," receive of "the multitude of His tender mercies," "follow Him," she "that diligently seeketh shall find," humble myself, "by small means the Lord can bring about great things."

As I read all the highlighted verses throughout several pages of scripture, I felt like the Lord was rejuvenating my desire to serve Him with all my heart.

Then this morning, I was studying Alma 1-4, and more beautiful scriptures strengthened my resolve to make today wonderful:

• I am an instrument in the hands of God, and His instruments are not overworked and frazzled.  He cares for them, polishes them, lets them rest, and allows them to work according to their strength.  Why did I never realize that before?   It's great to have "a cause" and proper motivations to work, but there aren't any "proper motivations" to run ourselves ragged.  That course is simply not in the program.  And if I DO have more to accomplish than time to do it, then I have to count on the Lord to magnify my efforts.  I love Him.
• Alma 1:29 taught me that as I am steady, I will receive an abundance. As I work diligently and listen to God, He will help me to receive all the blessings I need, and I must use that abundance to share liberally with others.  
• Alma 2:1 taught me that people need an "order" to follow.  Some people receive that kind of order from church.  Others like to follow celebrity fan clubs or sports teams.  Whatever it is, people enjoy having an "order," a group, or a leader with which to align themselves.  That's what we're trying to do with The Power of Moms--create an order of deliberate mothers who can be a "team" or a community with which others may be aligned.  

I know that each of us have great things that are required of us.  The Lord wants us to thrive.  He wants us to feel His power in our lives every day.  I am incredibly grateful for Him, and I will do all I can to be worthy of His great love and mercy.