"...God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence..." (Isaiah 35:4)

Hello World!

Today I have to share this awesome scripture with you and some of the thoughts I have had:

"Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you."

(Isaiah 35:4) 

When I read this I had to look up "recompense". It means "to make compensation for something; repay someone". The natural woman in me wants vengeance for my pain, suffering, for the losses I have endured. Do we not all want compensation for our losses? Seeking revenge, or being bitter about all that we suffer does not make things right- money, or things will not compensate for some of the losses we have endured. Being bitter, hateful, unforgiving, seeking revenge-well, they just makes things worse, and don't even come near to compensating for the losses some have suffered.

 This scripture says that God will come with vengeance (which doesn't mean revenge. It means "greatly; extremely" (vengeance)), even God with a recompence". God is greatly coming, even with compensation. This quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin helped me make more sense of the powerful principle of compensation:

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today, will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude"
(Come What May, and Love it)

I needed this scripture today. I am trying to keep the bigger picture about some of the challenges I am going through- honestly though, it is really hard. Some days, at the end of the day, I am just so grateful I made it through. God knows what I have lost, what I have had to sacrifice and endure. He knows this for every single one of His precious children- this includes you. He knows exactly what we need to learn to become like Him. It is so not easy to learn this. But that is a different blog all in itself.

So for now, I will take comfort in this awesome scripture and the truth that God will compensate, even recompense for every loss. This I testify.

This has been one of the hardest losses yet...but there is hope for compensation....
and maybe to ride, even just a tiny bit, in the future. 

"Charity, the pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47)

I think the scripture I need to share today might be something I need to hear myself. I know that we all suffer and have challenges that really try our faith (see 3 Nephi 26:11). Challenges don't always make sense. Which leads me to the scripture:

Beautiful- just because we are loved

"I know that [God] loveth His children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things" (1 Nephi 11:17).

As you endure the challenges of life, I invite you to seek for the love God has for you. It is always there. I have felt it and I want everyone in the world to feel His love. This love is "charity, the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever" (Moroni 7:47). As you seek for God's love, He will fill you up with it. This love is more powerful than anything I have ever felt. It is life and heart changing. Charity is "the love that Christ has for the children of men and that the children of men have for one another. [It is] the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection" (Charity).

The prophet Joseph Smith said, "A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race" (Bishop Keith B. McMullin). When we feel and then are filled with the love of God, it enables us to keep trying, keep serving, keep hoping, and in so doing, we want others to feel this amazing love. So, we then go forth and help others, lift others, and this love continues to grow within us and for us. God's love for us is truly awesome.

Even though I don't understand "why" or "how come" of everything, I say to you (and myself), God loves you more than words can express. This I testify.

"Behold thy mother!" (John 19:27)

Day 17 (Dec 17th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus Cared for His Mother and So Can You"

Just a couple of thoughts about my mother and being a mother.

I am so grateful for this insight, that Christ cared for His mother, Mary. We all have mothers. I love the description given of mother in The Guide to the Scriptures: "A sacred title referring to a woman who bears or adopts children. Mothers assist in God's plan by providing mortal bodies for God's spirit children". Being a mother is a sacred responsibility to nurture, care for, teach and guide my children. It is a ton of work! It is a true labor of love that cannot be expressed in words. In all that goes with being a mother I believe we do the best we can with the knowledge we have at the time we are doing all of it.

As Christ hung on the cross, He selflessly saw and cared for His mother. "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." (John 19:26-27).  Christ made sure His mother was cared for, even after He would no longer be on earth. What kind of care can we offer to our mothers for their selfless sacrifice of time, talents, energy, and love? "Behold" is an interesting word for Christ to use. It is an invitation to truly see and observe His mother. What women do as mothers often goes unnoticed and most certainly without applause or acclaim.

I ponder all that my mother has done for me. There aren't words enough to describe all she has done. Indeed, she is my angel mother. There is not a better word to describe her. She did the best she could in the circumstances she was in with the knowledge she had. And she continues to teach me by her example of faith, her sense of humor, her positive attitude in very difficult and trying circumstances and enduring all things. I too must say, "Behold my mother."

Me with my angel sister- Linda, my niece- Maggie, and my angel mother.

Two of my sons with their grandparents, (my parents- Fred and Naomi).

I love that my mom will do selfies with me. We make family history together. She is one amazing woman.

"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

Day 16 (Dec. 16th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus showed compassion and so can you"

The Guide to the Scriptures under compassion it reads: "In the scriptures, compassion means literally "to suffer with." It also means to show sympathy, pity, and mercy for another." One of the first scriptures that came to mind that exemplifies this is John 11:35, "Jesus wept." I see Christ suffering with Mary as He weeps with her over the death of her brother Lazarus. As  He weeps with them He is expressing compassion and tenderness.

I am grateful for this display of tenderness and love. I know that there are times when I do not take time to have compassion, "to suffer with" others as they need such kindness and support. For me, compassion is shown when someone takes time to visit me when I am sick, or listen to me when I am sad or alone. Compassion takes the form of encouragement when I am not sure I can endure another day of pain or sorrow for the hurt or illness of a loved one.

Compassion is not what our society would term "heroic". But for me, those who show compassion are ones who can also experience the greatest of joys. "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11). Jesus had compassion first, He wept with His friends. And then He said, "Lazarus, come forth" (John 11:43). Jesus shared in their joy as He raises Lazarus from the dead. Without compassion, we cannot experience the joy that follows healing, or the joy that will come when we and our loved ones are resurrected and made whole.

For free Bible Videos that are amazing- go here

Day 15 (Dec 15th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
Jesus worshipped through song and so can you.

I love this idea of worshipping through music and song. I love singing hymns, I enjoy being part of the ward choir when I can. I love playing my flute and truly worshipping God when I play.

I have to share one of my favorite scriptures about praising God with music: "If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that you souls may be joyful" (D&C 136:28-29).

Isn't this awesome? If I am happy then I should sing, and I sometimes just burst out singing or dancing. And when I am sad, it definitely helps to pray, ask for help. God just knows how to help us be happy. It's the best! So, go ahead and sing praises unto Him. Worship even a Jesus did through song.

(Here are a couple of great sources of music that have really made a difference for me)

Music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Grace by music artist David Tolk

Be Still and Know from "A Lullaby Journey Through Scripture"