The FIRST step is small & simple

I have to start this blog post by saying that I am a big time slacker when it comes to reading my scriptures every day.  I tease my husband and tell him the reason I don't read as often as I could, is because then I would have no faults and POOF!  I would be instantly translated up into heaven therefore leaving him alone, and obviously he could NEVER function without me!  Heavenly Father is way to smart to let that happen.

The interesting thing about my erratic method of reading is that when I finally get my butt back in gear and sit down with my scriptures, within 10 minutes of reading I come across something that relates directly to a challenge I am dealing with at that time.  This week it happened again.  And this time.....I'm going to share it with you.

Last week, while I was sitting in my room reading Book of Mormon, I came across this:

"And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works." (Alma 37:40-41.)

Now fast forward to the following day.

I was with my son and his lovely fiance taking their engagement pictures (yeah!) when I ran into a family member I hadn't spoken to in a very long time. 

Let's just say that as with most families, there had been drama and hurt feelings, but this particular drama ended in a family split & parting of ways. 

I figured we would cross paths eventually so,  I had tried to prepare myself for all sorts of scenarios except one.  I never prepared myself to feel compassion and love for this person.  I prepared my mind to be ready for attack.

Of course, when I found myself face to face with this person, I went blank.  Every scenario that was on stand-by in my brain disappeared.  With out even batting an eye, my heart took over. I smiled, I said hello.  He said hello.  We waited for a second or two and when the perfect storm failed to form around or above us, we began to talk.

We talked alot, I cried a bit, and after a while I finally understood a few things, and he said that he did too.  I apologized for a few things and he did too.  We actually laughed a bit towards the end and then somewhere in sky, the planets aligned and we hugged goodbye.   I couldn't believe it.... No, seriously.  I half expected Ashton Kucher to jump out of the bushes and yell "You've been Punk'd!"  The last time our paths crossed things elevated to an insane level of mayhem involving lots of family members and the police.  And yet, here I was feeling (gasp) love and compassion instead of anger.  I didn't see this coming.  I was happily surprised and the details of this talk will stay between he and I except for this...

One of the last things this person said to me before we parted ways, was that maybe  "...things can get better but it's going to take time.  It's going to take baby steps." 

I've been praying like crazy  for over a year and had all but given up on salvaging some sort of relationship.  I was frustrated and had given up on praying for things to be different.   I felt my prayer was not being heard, but I was wrong.  I needed to be on the Lord's time frame instead of my own.  I struggle alot with this.  If only things would be resolved in the way I think they should instead of waiting and having to have faith.  Alas, I am still learning.

I need to start praying for Patience....Lots of patience...  I will now pray not only for Patience, but for help in making those important baby steps.  It's going to be a long process, I'm sure. But it's worth it.  At least, I hope it's worth it. 

I think the key is to just remember to be thankful for any and all progress made.  Perfect for this time of year.  Thankfulness & an attitude of gratitude for every small and simple thing I have been blessed with. 

I have to start this blog post by saying that I am a big time slacker when it comes to reading my scriptures every day.  I tease my husband and tell him the reason I don't read as often as I could, is because then I would have no faults and POOF!  I would be instantly translated up into heaven therefore leaving him alone, and obviously he could NEVER function without me!  Heavenly Father is way to smart to let that happen.

The interesting thing about my erratic method of reading is that when I finally get my butt back in gear and sit down with my scriptures, within 10 minutes of reading I come across something that relates directly to a challenge I am dealing with at that time.  This week it happened again.  And this time.....I'm going to share it with you.

Last week, while I was sitting in my room reading Book of Mormon, I came across this:

"And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works." (Alma 37:40-41.)

Now fast forward to the following day.

I was with my son and his lovely fiance taking their engagement pictures (yeah!) when I ran into a family member I hadn't spoken to in a very long time. 

Let's just say that as with most families, there had been drama and hurt feelings, but this particular drama ended in a family split & parting of ways. 

I figured we would cross paths eventually so,  I had tried to prepare myself for all sorts of scenarios except one.  I never prepared myself to feel compassion and love for this person.  I prepared my mind to be ready for attack.

Of course, when I found myself face to face with this person, I went blank.  Every scenario that was on stand-by in my brain disappeared.  With out even batting an eye, my heart took over. I smiled, I said hello.  He said hello.  We waited for a second or two and when the perfect storm failed to form around or above us, we began to talk.

We talked alot, I cried a bit, and after a while I finally understood a few things, and he said that he did too.  I apologized for a few things and he did too.  We actually laughed a bit towards the end and then somewhere in sky, the planets aligned and we hugged goodbye.   I couldn't believe it.... No, seriously.  I half expected Ashton Kucher to jump out of the bushes and yell "You've been Punk'd!"  The last time our paths crossed things elevated to an insane level of mayhem involving lots of family members and the police.  And yet, here I was feeling (gasp) love and compassion instead of anger.  I didn't see this coming.  I was happily surprised and the details of this talk will stay between he and I except for this...

One of the last things this person said to me before we parted ways, was that maybe  "...things can get better but it's going to take time.  It's going to take baby steps." 

I've been praying like crazy  for over a year and had all but given up on salvaging some sort of relationship.  I was frustrated and had given up on praying for things to be different.   I felt my prayer was not being heard, but I was wrong.  I needed to be on the Lord's time frame instead of my own.  I struggle alot with this.  If only things would be resolved in the way I think they should instead of waiting and having to have faith.  Alas, I am still learning.

I need to start praying for Patience....Lots of patience...  I will now pray not only for Patience, but for help in making those important baby steps.  It's going to be a long process, I'm sure. But it's worth it.  At least, I hope it's worth it. 

I think the key is to just remember to be thankful for any and all progress made.  Perfect for this time of year.  Thankfulness & an attitude of gratitude for every small and simple thing I have been blessed with.