Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Faith

Sacrament Ponderings

Sometimes I am blown away by how people act during Church on Sundays. Maybe I’m a grumpy old lady or maybe my own life experiences have helped me appreciate what the Savior has done for us all. Even still, I am the first to admit that I have far to go, to improve myself. And that’s okay. What matters is that we try each day to be more like Christ. So let us all strive to try a little harder and a great place to begin is by being more appreciative during the Sacrament each week.

If the Savior sat beside me,
When I took the sacrament,
Would I ponder on the things I do
Or what the Savior meant.

Would I be angry at the deacon
Fumbling as he learned,
Or thinking of those around me
And their many deep concerns.

Would I whisper to my neighbor
Of things that matter very little,
Making hearts already tender
Grow more fragile and more brittle.

Or would I seek distraction,
(Play a game or two or three)
Forgetting all about the things
The Savior did for me.

I hope I wouldn’t look up
And see the sadness on His face
At all of those around us
Who don’t seem to care they’re in this place.

I hope I’d be more grateful
For all that He has done,
And marvel that beside me
Was God’s beloved Son.

I hope I’d look up at His face
And gaze into His eyes,
And marvel at the depth thereof
And the love that therein lies.

Gently take His hand in mine,
Feel the prints upon each one,
A reminder of His Sacrifice
And that the Battle has been Won.

Though He may not be here now
Sitting in this place
I still should treat each Sacrament
As if that were the case.

Next time that you are waiting
For the bread to pass your way,
Make sure your reverence isn’t something
That’s simply on display.

And when you’ve passed it on
And it’s someone else’s turn,
Remember that you promised
To help others with concern.

That you promised to take upon His name –
As if He was just there,
To help him do His Sacred Job
With more love and with more care.

For what a gift the Savior gave
To me and all of you –
Reverently and humbly
Is the least that we can do.

Book Recommendation – The Spirit of Revelation

Several months ago, I bought this little book not long after it came out, excited to read what Elder Bednar has to teach us about personal revelation. In the busyness of family birthdays and the holidays and a round of a flu bug that hit our family, I set it aside and forgot to come back to it. Then last weekend one of my kids knocked over a stack of books – and there it was. (It was kind of like in the movies when someone discovers gold in a mine.) As soon as I picked it up, I felt inspired to read it even though I am reading several other books. Then I went off to church and a sister in our ward who spoke last Sunday heavily referenced it in her talk. I definitely knew I needed to read it after that, so I’ve been eating it up and reading it everywhere I go this past week. It’s been the perfect book to help prepare for General Conference next month (already!)!

The book is divided into two sections. The first section is titled Principles and is ten principles Elder Bednar has observed and discovered in his own personal study of personal revelation. They aren’t in any particular order of importance or anything. He explains each principle in each chapter in Section one and gives supporting examples as he goes along. The second section is titled Episodes. This section is a compilation of personal stories shared by him, his wife, or one of his sons in which they experienced personal revelation (some made me cry!). Each one I felt honored they were willing to share with everyone willing to read the book. After each story, there is a page with three questions related to personal revelation and space for writing under each question. It’s a wonderful way to help you recognize personal revelation better.

Reading this book, I was struck by how much it is written and organized in such a loving way! I feel so blessed to have such a great resource from one of the Lord’s apostles. (Aren’t we lucky he not only studied this topic as much as he has but he then took the time to write a book explaining and teaching it better to us as well??) I ate up the first section. Some I already was familiar with. Some were aha moments for me. In the second section I find myself reading each personal story over and over so I can really ponder the questions and really recognize the lessons and hear what the Spirit is trying to teach me personally. And yes, I am writing it in as I go along. It really does help!

You can find the book at Deseret Book. If you wait a few weeks, they usually have a sale over Conference weekend. Or you can get it now and use it to help prepare for General Conference. It seems to me the Lord wants us to really know and understand personal revelation. It is something we hear about repeatedly (The Repetition Principle). Obviously, it’s important so we need to sit up and listen!! This little book is well worth the $20. The lessons learned within are priceless.

Conversations

I’ve been thinking lately about my relationship with our Heavenly Parents. I know this is something we don’t often talk about so I’m going into dangerous waters here…, but (my opinion) I believe we really do have loving Heavenly Parents – a Father and a Mother – who love us perfectly and when we think of them reverently, as well, parents and not some abstract thing, it can do wonders for us and how we see ourselves and treat those around us. I know how much I love my earthly parents. I can only imagine how much love I have for our Heavenly Parents! That thought never ceases to motivate me to be better. To follow the Savior and my Church Leaders, that I may someday happily return Home too.

Loving Father, and Mother too –
How I miss and long for you!
To feel the warmth in your embrace.
To see the love upon your face.
To feel my peace restored again
And fill the place that fear has been.
Oh, how I long for soon the day
When I may come back Home and stay
And never need to leave your side
Because it’s too where I reside.

Precious Daughter, we miss you too
But we’re so proud of all you do.
The kindness that you always share,
The burdens that you gladly bare.
How precious you are within our sight.
How glad we are you keep up the fight.
We know Home is where you long to be
But there’s more to learn before you’re free.
So, here’s a gift to help you out.
Take it and replace your doubt.

Loving Father, and Mother too,
Thank you two for all you do.
Thank you for giving the things I need
And protecting me from pride and greed.
How glad I am you help me out –
With the Spirit, lead me about.
Help me grow each day like you.
Help me see good in what I do.
Where others think I’m failing fast,
You lead me to the things that last.
Loving Father, and Mother too
I have so much love for each of you.

Precious Daughter, we love you too.
How much we miss and long for you!
To feel the warmth in your embrace.
To see the love upon your face.
To know that you are safe again
In the place you once have been.
Oh, how we long for soon the day
When you may come back home to stay!
And never need to leave our side
Because it’s too where you reside.
So, until your time on Earth is done
Do everything to follow our Son.
Know down deep within your heart
With us is where you got your start
And oh, how glad will be the day
When you once again come Home to stay.

When Darkness Threatens

I’m going to be real and honest here. Anxiety sneaks up on me more often than I’d like, and I have to fight hard to tame it back down again at times. I normally don’t pay much attention to any media to help with this but with much of the world events recently it’s been hard to avoid it! That plus a story my daughter read to me as part of her Language Arts lessons plus several helicopters flying over our house… it all caught up with me! Thankfully Heavenly Father sent me a tender mercy and my wonderful husband wasn’t busy when I needed to talk. My sweet husband let me share my fears and taught me things I didn’t understand that helped me start back to where I prefer to be – calm and peaceful. Once I was feeling better, I worked out this little poem. Darkness is always all around us in so many, many forms, but we all have the choice to turn towards it or turn away from it. What will you choose?

When darkness threatened you today
Where did you try to hide away?
Did you stay where darkness lives
Or stretch out to where goodness gives?
Did you feed on junk and more
Or choose to walk right out that door?
Did you give in and criticize
Or did you recognize those lies?
Did you play the victim card
Or go and rake your neighbor’s yard?
Did your eyes see only Bad
Or did you let your heart feel Glad?
Did your strut around all smug
Or give a friend in need a hug?
Did you wear your pride all day
Or did you think to stop and pray?
Did you stay tucked in your bed
Or follow what the prophet said?
There will always be darkness at your door
But will you let it in to explore?
Or will you choose to seek the Light –
Cast out that fear, no matter the night.
Feel peace no matter how Hard the day.
Tuck your fears far, far away.
Lean on Christ to get you through
And show you what you need to do.
Trust that Christ indeed has won.
Trust that Christ is indeed God’s Son.
How glad you’ll be if from this day
From the Dark you turn away.

The Keys to the Castle

Do you sometimes wish for Better in your life? I know I sure do. These sure are crazy times aren’t they! I reflected in Church yesterday that even though these are difficult times – this isn’t the end! Don’t despair my friends. These things have all been foreseen and foretold by Prophets. This is Act 2 where the Drama really heats up for the poor Protagonist. We can make it through “a time such as this” and the reward will be beyond any we can imagine if we are faithful through it all. How happy we will be when we get our own Keys to our Castle. ❤

The keys to the castle
Aren’t silver or gold
Because the keys to the castle
Are things that aren’t sold.
They are things that we do
As we go through our lives –
It’s being the very best
Husbands and wives.
It’s loving our children
When even it’s hard.
It’s not judging our neighbors
Despite their front yards.
It’s going to church
When we’re not sure it’s the way.
It’s attending the temple
When it eats up our day.
It’s kindness and patience
Over anger and pride.
It’s following God
And not letting it hide.
It’s following Church leaders
As they guide us each day.
It’s following Church leaders
Who show us new ways.
It’s trusting that Christ
Really took all our sins.
it’s trusting that Christ
Really did win.
It’s obeying the Spirit
When it tells us To Do.
It’s obeying the Spirit
When we don’t even want to.
Each of these things
Is a drop into place
And so, we’ll be ready
When we again see God’s face.
When He welcomes us home
And tells us “Well done!”
And we happily tell Him
We followed His Son.
And then with the love
Only a father can give
He’ll show us the place
We then get to live. –
A mansion of glory
Beyond any we’ve known.
A castle of glory
With our love, we have grown.
A place just for us
For the rest of our days.
A place just for us
For following God’s ways.
Because the Keys to the Castle
Are things that aren’t sold –
The Keys to the Castle
Are more priceless that gold.
The Keys to the Castle
Are something we earn
When we cast aside all
And to God, we do turn.

Light

Light – what a simple, amazing thing! We typically have a power outage or two or three every fall/winter because trees think it’s a great time to fall on power lines… It’s always fun in the beginning but we’re typically so glad when the power comes back on. How grateful we are for electricity! But even more amazing than that, is the Light of Christ. Oh, how blessed we are by His love!

A simple thing, – it helps me see
What’s on the floor in front of me.
Where I need to mow the lawn
And each pair of shoes that I put on.
It helps me see to read a book
And helps me see each meal I cook.
Appreciate my children’s faces
And where I need to clean in places.
It comes in my window with the rising sun
But doesn’t vanish when the day is done.
Instead, it twinkles in the night –
Oh, how beautiful the nighttime light!
It’s oh so needed to help things grow,
For each plant and seed we sow.
But of all the light by each survive, –
The light we really need to thrive –
Comes from a place we cannot see,
Someone who taught us how to be
And lived a while before our time.
Whose Perfectness was his crime.
But with our faith, if we follow Him,
He’ll kindly take away our sins,
And sorrows and each worldly care
For each brave soul who steps up and dares.
Oh, what a simple price to pay! –
To receive light brighter than the day.
So, no matter how dark the night,
With my faith I choose His light.