The Sabbath

It’s Sunday. Three things I love about Sunday: 1.) waking up, turning on 103.7 The Mountain Sunday Brunch Broadcast and enjoying a breakfast at my own pace; 2.) Church – the opportunity for fellowship, worship, centering myself, practicing perspective, gratitude, reverence, humility, etc; 3.) Sunday nights with friends and watching Big Love.

I woke this morning to snow, giant snow flakes falling. My heart sung because I thought it would be the perfect excuse not to go to church. Bad, I know. My feelings about the church in general are for completely different post. I had spent the morning with pops and really had no reason not to go. Even though I really didn’t want to go but I found myself getting ready and thinking to myself that if I went for the first hour I could always leave.

I wanted to participate in the Sacrament which is really my favorite part of church. The sacrament centers me and allows me the uninterrupted opportunity to express my gratitude for all things I have been blessed with. I pray for many things, all things from the farm, my family and friends, complete strangers, guidance for myself, the world, and alike.

In Relief Society, a girl introduced herself to me which isn’t unusual, they are a very friendly bunch. Her name was Hope. There was something about her presence and energy that embodied the very definition of her name. We got to talking she shared that she is a nurse having worked at the UW hospital, Children’s, and now at a nursing home. She spoke with a gentle kindness and brightness that was so sincere it wasn’t unnerving like nice people usually make me feel.

“You cannot be too good. Patience is heavenly, obedience is noble, forgiveness is merciful, and exaltation is godly,”…we read this today and it really resonated. I hope I can take this to heart this week.

For some time I’ve had a really hard time forgiving someone. I’ve been harboring hurtful feeling towards someone who I felt had done me wrong. As I have been working on forgiveness, we read a scripture that I think speaks towards how to forgive. It reads, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one anoth. But this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one another.” - John 13:34-35. I’m still working on it.

I’m glad I made it to church today. It wasn’t overly “church-y” but it was very fulfilling and calming. There was Hope, there was love, there was beauty.

I close on this Sabbath day with this prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that we might be a light in a very dark world, that we may open our hearts and respond to those in need of compassion, a gentle smile or an extended hand. I pray for eyes to see and ears to hear the opportunities You give us to be better people. I pray for my family, friends, and those around the world who are restless, hurting or afraid. May they find some peace tonight. Amen.