Only through the loving hands of Christ can our eyes be truly OPENED!

 This year of 2020, I have heard to be one of THE worst years. 

Certainly a year to be remembered.

Some have had a decrease in seeing friends, loved ones, and neighbors. Many have been influenced by the fear and anxiety of things beyond their control such as sickness, death, fires, loss in job, etc.

This year, however, there have been advancements in learning how to meet with others in different ways; through the internet, phone, and getting used to seeing people wearing masks.

Personally, this year has been a strange year, but one of THE most beautiful in the ways of this symbolic, yet NOT coincidental connection with the word myopic and the year 2020. 

I was INSPIRED today during a zoom Relief Society meeting as we were discussing the talk, Let God Prevail. The thought that was so inspiring for me was the symbolism of the word myopic and the connection to the year -- 2020.

For those who are like me and had never heard of this word before, Myopic simply means: Nearsighted. Is that not just beautiful? I have felt at times that I have been nearsighted this year. I have focused too much on the wrong things, or too self absorbed forgetting that to SEE another person is to see the face of God. When this occurs I find that I have focused too closely or have been obsessed with wants, needs, being too proud to widen my range of sight. During this year of pandemic, this year of loneliness, confusion, fear, and change have I been nearsighted? That truly is a profound, and simple question.

Being nearsighted is all too easy when we choose to have other hobbies, .  without allowing God to prevail in our individual lives. But I suppose the question is then, Am I willing to let God prevail in my life? This is an active decision, not passive.

We MUST all choose for ourselves whether we are going to be myopic or if we are going to let God prevail. This is a personal, but very important separation between holding fast to the iron rod, and simply keeping an eye on the railing so as not to let it out of sight. The very act of letting God prevail allows our own eyes to be OPENED, this is choosing to hold fast to the word of God through actions and decisions.  Choosing our Savior, Jesus Christ allows us to SEE more fully with an eternal perspective the love that God has for each one of us!

"The Lord IS gathering those who are WILLING to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord IS gathering those who will CHOOSE to let God be THE most important influence in their lives." -Russell M. Nelson

To see more fully can also be said as seeing in 20/20 vision. Is that not amazing?! Mind blown!!! This year has been a constant decision to either SEE myopically or to embrace God, trust in Him and to SEE 2020! Through fear and strife the peace of Jesus Christ is as a beacon of LIGHT, guiding us safely through the mists of darkness, confusion, fear, sickness, and death. We each must act to choose Him or to choose a distorted and nearsighted view. "Trust in His redeeming blood, and try His works to do." https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/there-is-a-green-hill-far-away?lang=eng

This year has been full of happenings that have been too far out of the control of us. Many humbling experiences bringing me back to a simple thought, and a profound question.

I cannot.

God can.

Will I let Him?

Christ truly did Heal the sick, cause the lame to walk, and gave the blind their SIGHT! He can with us give us the sight of an eternal perspective, seeing our life in 2020. 

May the end of your remarkable year of 2020 end in a beautiful way. 

May we choose to either let fear fill our lives, or to let God prevail in every aspect of our God given life! May the year of 2021 bring a closer connection to our Heavenly Father and to our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we continue to choose in the coming years to SEE, and to have our eyes be opened through the loving hands of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we choose to LET GOD PREVAIL!

 

 

Find Rest Unto Your Souls -- lowly in heart

 To be offended is a very human experience. 

We live in a world where being offended is just another response to our everyday relationships. Many times I have ended up overthinking words and actions done and said by others, and in the end resulting in being at least a little bit offended. 

Since meeting my dearest sweetheart, John I have been drawn to his charm of having a happy disposition, and his eternal perspective. I wanted this type of outlook on life. He seemed so at peace with everything that came his way! He seemed to never take offense personally, and in the three years we have been married I have thought this attribute is very admirable! I have wanted to have that quality too. I did not want to always be worried about how I was taking things, or even how I was perceiving situations and relationships with others. But how did I begin to learn about this consistent peace? How was I suppose to see how to incorporate this attribute into my own way of becoming? 

Through God given AHA moments! Moments where the Spirit of God brings light, understanding, and knowledge to your mind; as you are seeking to know and understand! This perspective and way of living does not just happen. It is a CONSTANT decision. The peace that is seen in John is a blessing given from God. It is a Christlike attribute only gained through diligence, persistence, and with heavenly help.

Choose to let light and knowledge into your life!

Choose to SEE the light!

Many events do not go to plan. Many people do and say things that we cannot have an influence upon. However, one thing that we CAN do is we can determine how WE will act. We can choose to be offended, or we can choose not to be. This personal decision is a practice in God's gift of agency. This choice is also known as being meek and lowly in heart. The world would have us believe that the characteristic of being / becoming meek is weak, or even passive. 

"Meekness is strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash. A meek person is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others."

David A. Bednar - 2018 General Conference talk:   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2018-03-2030-david-a-bednar?lang=eng 

The way the contemporary world would view meekness, and how the Lord views the Christlike attribute is so different. Satan would have us believe that to be meek is being lazy, or shows others that we are really weak in heart.

 The Lord declares in Doctrine and Covenants 19:23, "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my spirit, and you shall have peace in me." 

To be meek is to truly CHOOSE to think the best of others, choosing not to take offense, and to give people the benefit of the doubt! I realized the characteristic John has is to be meek! His way of living was so magnetizing to me because, as stated in the scripture to be meek brings PEACE through the spirit of God! We receive the promised blessing of peace and rest to our searching and yearning souls.  "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29 As we take the yoke of Christ upon us we are deciding to consistently learn of Him; we are choosing to come unto Him - to yoke ourselves up with the Savior of the world, the master healer, our Lord and Redeemer. 

As we strive to minister like Christ, emulating how He taught we will be able to find the peace and rest that our souls LONG to find. We each crave the joy, happiness, and peace that only can be found through our Savior, and Redeemer; Jesus Christ! We can choose a holier way, we can choose the road less traveled by, we can choose to unite with Christ. That will make ALL the difference.

We, like Amulek (From the Book of Mormon) can willingly submit to the Lords CALL as well as give of ourselves and seek His WILL. Accept the journey of becoming meek. To be lowly in heart is not ever going to be easy; we will have to choose to leave behind our comfortable circumstances, and our familiar relationships. But as we go forth with Faith in God He will bless us with an eternal perspective; strong, and disciplined self-restraint to act for ourselves rather than to react. We will assuredly be blessed to gain a settled and calm demeanor; meek is what we will become as choosing to be disciples of Christ. 

Choose to SEE the best in others. Choose to SEE the hand of the Lord in your life; everyday! Choose to hear His voice. Choose light! Choose happiness and Choose to Come Unto Him!

Thoughts about this weeks studies in the Book of Mormon, found in the Come Follow Me manual below:   

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-book-of-mormon-2020/32?lang=eng     

The Lord Leads Us

 

There is a certain hope and beauty that comes through studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a peace that comes through the power of the priesthood, and truths taught by the mouths of the Lord's prophets and apostles here on the earth today. One truth that has had my attention of late is that the Lord, Savior of the world, and Creator knows ALL things, past, present, and future. That is such a deep concept, and I can not ever fully wrap my head around it. The second truth that REALLY allows me to understand a bit better is that even though Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world knows all things He teaches us STEP BY STEP and GUIDES us, NEVER forcing!!!

I love this!!!!!

Visualizing this principle is always very helpful. The pictures of the flowers were something Lillie and I found on our morning walk. In the photo there is one main flower that is COMPLETELY in focus; clear to see ALL the details. The rest of the photo is still visible, and gradually fades in  complete clarity and detail. However, you can still make out the complete picture and feeling of the scene. This photo is much like life, and knowing that God goes before us.

 God blesses us, his children, with the ability to have clarity in vision as we follow Him, step by step, line upon line. I get impatient, and as impatience sets in my faith and trust in God slowly decrease. But knowing that God is ever loving in allowing me to be taught and guided by His never forcing arm is so comforting. 

This past General Conference talk by President Henry B. Eyring, "He Goes Before Us" is inspiring, calming, and brings peace; even hope to my soul! Here is a bit of the talk that stood out to me:  

"...whenever we proceed to resolve one inspired problem, we open the door for further revelation for advancements at least equally important but not yet seen." ... The Lord sees it all coming. He planned for it, step by step, as He has always done. He has always been lovingly patient in helping us learn "line upon line, precept upon precept. here a little and there a little." He is firm in the timing and the sequence of His intentions, yet He ensures that sacrifice brings continuing blessings that we did not foresee. Every prayer during preparation, and faith brings a blessing. The Lord goes before us. He knows the future perfectly. He has prepared the way for you. He has in place a plan for your service.

This truly brought such peace to my heart and very soul especially as we are getting ready for our little baby boy, Glenn to be born. Less than 2 weeks away... Giving birth is an impatient process. 

As I learn how to let the Lord lead and guide in His own way and timing the anxiety is replaced with peace, the need to know when Glenn will come is replaced with the specific details that God wants ME to learn and focus on. 

Following the Savior of the world is NOT easy. 

It takes work and effort, but the Lord loves effort and He truly does bless us. 

He also consecrates our every effort to Come Unto Him and to Hear Him!

...Lillie gets more excited for Glenn every passing day...

Love is an Action Due to Charity...

(I wrote a simular post on my Sketchbook page...so some of this may be repetative, but I think it is important! This post will not be specifically about art, or painting, but more about my thoughts on the subjects at hand.) Here is the link to that post:

http://briarrosesart.blogspot.com/2020/02/to-create-is-to-give-glimpse-of-inside.html

To create is to give a glimpse of what is inside of you! 

To create is to love!

(I just had to throw in something about love, since it is Valentines day.)

You see, the way I see it is that Valentines Day is not only a day to love an eternal someone, or romance. 

You can show kindness which is a form of love to anyone! 

You can create love in anything that you do! 

Love is only an action that is given due to a deeper internal emotion ... a deep feeling of Charity or another way to think of it is gratitude. 

Charity is the Pure love of Christ and through charity kindness and gratitude is born!

It is through and because of Jesus Christ that we have the hope and the light in this world to even love, and serve one another! Because of Jesus Christ and the infinite love that he showed to each of us all mankind can return again to our Heavenly Father!

This gratitude can be gratitude for a certain person, gratitude for a simple smile or kind action, Gratitude for our Father and our creator in Heaven, gratitude for the warmth in the sun and the grass beginning to sprout...and gratitude for new beginnings.

Love is more complex, yet much more simple than we give it credit for being!

Love is not grand, it is pure, simple, full of gratitude, humble, and creates an atmosphere of HOPE!

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth [...]"

1Corinthians 13:4-8

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/1-cor/13?lang=eng

To love is vulnerability at its greatest and to create is to love.

 To create is such a vulnerable action because it show-cases dreams, thoughts, feelings, worries, pain, and joy!!!

For instance the contrast in each one of these stair paintings depicts three very specific feelings the happiness in the sheep scene, the sorrow and a little bit of worry in the lonely mountains, and then the hope, joy and new life in the liveliness that the bright, lovely daffodills bring! 

We are always creating something!

Creating reflects thoughts, moods, and feelings.

Creating inspires learning, loving also inspires learning and growth!

Many times in college and high-school I had to remind myself that love is not only romantic, it is service, kindness, creativity, and even on days like Valentines it is especially important to remember that ...

Love can be shown in ALL things. 

As we live, learn, and grow we create things each and every day -- whether it is a space in a home, a baby, a drawing, a love of learning, a love of God, or even just in creating an atmosphere around you!

Love, Charity, and Thanksgiving can abound!

I just had to share these photos of Lillie and the horse next door, as we were leaving she would turn and wave, saying "I wuv you!" This happened about 10 times!

She constantly reminds us that she has love for all those around her!!!

Happy Valentines Day!'

Believe, Having Faith in God & Be Comforted!

Some days are indeed better than others. 

Some days I do not feel that my emotions are crazy, but there are days where I seem to have the most unstable emotions ever! 

Last night was one of those nights... and whether it is because of my being pregnant or not ... either way moments of instability and weakness always have a way of me being left feeling alone, in the wrong, and far away from God. 

However, because of my emotional instability last night I was able to gather insight that I have never recognized before in Ether 12

This chapter in The Book of Mormon is ALL about FAITH and believing in God, Hope in a better world, and Charity; which is the Pure love of God!

Ether 12:4 really got to me .. "[...] whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world [...] which hope cometh of faith maketh an anchor to the souls of men [... making] them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." 

This verse got me thinking, if I had faith in God last night? I was not hopefull of very much at all! I did not see good works abounding in anything, and so much was just sorrowful to me. I felt ungrateful, alone, and very much like everything I had worked for did not even matter. Honestly, I did not have too much faith in the Lord my God to deliver me from the sadness which seemed to overwhelm my soul. This brought about despair...I could not hope for a better night, a better tomorrow because FAITH is the key to HOPE! 

However God IS merciful... going on in the chapter "[...] ye recieve no witness until after the trial of your faith." Ether 12:6

"[...] have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have hope." Ether 12:9

In this chapter Moroni is the one writing this and he goes on to talking about all the mighty people who have had experiences with faith and working miracles THROUGH faith in God! He talks about the brother of Jared and how his writings and testifyings of faith and miracles and of God is beautiful and very powerful because of his strength in writing. 

"[...] when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear [...]" Ether 12:25 This verse caught my attention because here Moroni is kind of comparing his ability to other prophets writings and he has so much fear about writing anything down, he begins to fear his own weakness! This brought me to the attention of my own weakness, and the experience of last night, and of my instability. 

However in response to the fears of Moroni the response of God is kind! He does not chansten him, but he instead comforts him... "and if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness, I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

This painting in progress reminds me of weakness, trials, and this life. We cannot avoid the winds, storms, and waves of the sea unless we do not want to grow, learn, and become. We all have to go through difficult times, hard moments, as well as humbling experiences.

God was not going to allow people to mock the words written by Moroni, in his weakness. He instead tells him that if men come unto God then He will show unto them their own weakness, for we all have weakness because of our natural man. We all suffer from fear and we all have weakness!!! This allows us to choose to be humble and as we are humble we can stay connected to God through acting in faith!

"[...] whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world [...] which hope cometh of faith maketh an anchor to the souls of men [... making] them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." Ether 12:4

By acting in Faith we gain hope, which allows faith in God to anchor our souls allowing us to be steadfast, abounding in good works, which then will lead us to glorify God and testify of Him! Through my experience and study this morning I could not just leave it at gaingin knowledge, I just had to do something about it...I just had to testify of my God; He IS merciful and does not always chasten His children, but He does comfort as well in times of need!

By Humbling ourselves to the Lord and having FAITH in Him weakness can be made strong. I believe that this does not mean that I will all of a sudden have no emotional challenges, or instability, but this means that THROUGH emotional struggles (pregnant or not) I may be made stronger--and that my Faith in Him will grow and strengthen ...By turning to the Lord my fears, instability, and weakness will help me to testify of the Lord, my God; allowing me to become an instrument in His hands!!!

Here is the link to Ether 12:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/ether/12?lang=eng

Testimony The eyes to see mercies of the Lord

Good morning!!!

It has been a very long while...

the reason why I have not written anything lately is probably best explained by feelings of seclusion, along with feelings of not having much to be worthy of saying. 

Satan likes to put thoughts of seclusion, or loneliness into minds...and as those seeds are planted the reality of the thoughts and lies start to actually grow and become. 

By believing that I had nothing worthy to say I actually started to seclude my own self!

Latley, I have been thinking rather a lot about this predicament and this morning as I started yet again to wake up early and study in the Book of Mormon, Bible, and Doctrine and Covenants.

As I acted in this endeavor, understanding, and some enlightenment came gradually, yet steadily. 

I found a line in scripture that made sense to my heart, Mormon 3:3

"...[the people] did not realize that it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance. ..."

Just like these people had not realized the Lord and His mercies and goodness towards them, inviting all to come unto Him, I too have not had the eyes to SEE the blessings, mercies, and goodness of the Lord my God. 

I have tried to be a good person, to be Christlike but it is also by sharing thoughts, feelings, and testimony about the Savior that we allow our hearts to soften and grow!

This blog became a spot for me to write down my growing, learning, and ever deepening testimony of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As I have neglected writing down my feelings sue to excuses of being too busy, tiredness, lonliness, and so on... I also have not shared my feelings of the blessings in my life with those around me, I have also failed to FIND my reasons to SMILE; to know that my God is a God of miracles, and that He is there and aware. 

I do not think I have a mighty, wonderous, or magnificent testimony but I do have a simple knowedge that this life is a time to prepare to live again with our Father in Heaven. I may not know everything there is to know about the gospel doctrine, or even random facts of the gospel of Jesus Christ but I do know that ALL things denote and lead to reminding us of our divine destiny, our divine origins, and that there is indeed a Christ; Son of a living God, Savior of the world, and the Prince of Peace!

So, whether people read this post, or even this blog is really not even a concern to me... this blog helps me to REMEMBER my testimony of Jesus Christ, and it is here to remind me that there is hope and happiness ahead.

So, do not give up... your words have worth and meaning.

You too are a child of God.

There may be times that are hard, lonely, and difficult...

just remember, The sun ALWAYS comes out through the clouds in its way...it always does!!!

There are ALWAYS reasons to SMILE!!!

Never lose your SMILE!

...

Just some moments where I did have reasons to smile these past months!

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