The Doors of the Chapel, They Are A Closin’

Primary program was in full swing today with the kiddos belting out a song about Jesus. I don’t have any kids in Primary anymore so I wasn’t as vested as some, but I was a Primary teacher for over a year and I was enjoying watching the kids in my former class. As I sat there trying to listen, the level of noise in the hallway outside of the chapel began to rise. Clearly a class had finished or another ward was getting out for the day. 

Soon the cacophony in the hall made it increasingly harder to hear our kiddos singing. 

It occurred to me, isn’t that how it is in life? I’m over here trying to listen to Jesus and pay attention and all this noise keeps distracting me. 

Just when it got to the point where I could no longer hear what was happening in the chapel for the decibel level outside, someone came up and closed the doors to the chapel, and suddenly the noise was cut off and all I could hear was the off key cherubs singing their hearts out at the front of the church. 

I sat a bit in reflection on that act. I was grateful someone got up and shut those doors. I considered, Is there a place in my life where I would be able to hear Jesus better if I simply blocked out the noise of the world? Boundaries. Did I have them firmly in place? 

I have noticed that not everyone in the church is great with boundaries. After all, we are taught to be meek, humble, lowly of heart etc etc etc which doesn’t often translate well into the realm of boundaries. But God also models what good boundaries are and why they are important. If you think I’m nuts at this point I would like to point your focus in the direction of the 10 commandments. Those are boundaries the Lord set in place so we could understand how to receive blessings. 

If God thinks having boundaries is important shouldn’t we also monitor ours? What in our lives have we allowed to encroach to the point that we can no longer hear the angelic voices teaching us of Jesus? What is our motivation for keeping those doors wide open and struggling to hear messages of God’s love for us? Putting healthy boundaries up does not mean you do not love or care for others. Does God love us? Yet he holds us to some pretty firm boundaries. You too can love others AND have boundaries. I promise. So get up and shut the doors! And Ill let you in on a secret. Doors open. You can go out and check on those causing a ruckus and let them know how much you love them any time you want. Happy Sabbath y’all.

Churchin’ Blog

Gospel Doctrine Sept 17th Come Follow Me

Topics: Trials, Forgiveness, Being Reconciled to God, Godly Sorrow

Trials: I’m only hitting this topic today.

Scriptures 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 4: 6-10, 17-18, and 7:4-7. 

In 2 Corinthians 7:5 we read, “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.” 

Have you ever felt that way? I have. 

Last year was a particularly difficult year for me. I truly felt as if I had no rest and was “troubled on every side.” In 12 short months I had: moved my mother in to live with me, continued to care for my father, got engaged to a wonderful man, married that man, blended my 3 kiddos with his 4, husband lost his job, I started a new one and sold both our homes, moved three households and started a new business.. Longstory even longer,  I was feeling slightly* overwhelmed. 

Then early in the morning on  December 3rd I got up to start my day and noticed my mom had not visited the restroom as was her morning routine. I went to her room to check on her and found she had passed away some time the evening prior.

Six short months later I found myself sitting by my father’s bedside as he fell unresponsive and then passed away one week later of pancreatic cancer. 

Now I was drowning in grief in addition to responsibility. 

Thoughts started to drift in. Did I do enough? I could have been more patient with my mom. I could have spent more time with my dad when he was well. My mind likes to treat my soul as it’s punching bag. Meanwhile I still had the rest of my life swirling around the ever present drain of life.  There was no way I was going to be able to effectively care for all these people and work full time, and be effective at my new role in my job etc etc etc. This was sink or swim and I was sinking. I found myself turning to the only one that could possibly understand, my Savior.I was praying for answers. I prayed even demanded that certain trials end. “I’m following what you asked me to do!! Send work to my husband!”  “Please fix this!” But it never happened. 

What I was sent was a calming peace that often descended in the worst of the trials. Miracles that provided just enough in make it or break it moments. And I started to increase my faith that He was listening and He did hear my prayers. I also knew that it is in and through our trials that we learn and grow. 

The key lesson I learned was how to access the atonement in ways that I never considered.  I would have to trust Him and stop trying to lean on my own strength and understanding. My trials were an impossible task. And while I like to think of myself as Superwoman, the reality is I’m a human with real limitations. No one could do what I was facing.. So instead of praying for the trials to end, I started praying for Him to pick up and account for my lack. I needed Him to cover where I couldn’t. And He did. It didn’t always look the way I wanted it to or how I expected it would turn out, but it did work out. 

I found a way to suffer WITH Christ instead of on my own. My burdens became lighter and I was able to navigate through that difficult time without becoming paralyzed by anxiety or depression over my situation. 

Key things I took away from the Gospel Doctrine lesson: As you grow in faith and closer to God it’s important that you then help others who are struggling. Be an example to others of kindness, understanding, and mercy. Because ain’t none of us leaving this world unscathed. 

What are some of the lessons you learned from your trials?

*Probably the most overwhelmed I have ever been in my whole life.