Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Faith

Take Heart

Ever have one of Those Days? Or maybe a whole week or month or year – it’s one thing after another? It’s so easy to get discouraged, isn’t it! (Please tell me it’s not just me!) Sometimes when we are deep in the struggle, we just need a little reminder to hold on tight, to keep fighting and not give up. Because in the end, it will all be worth it.

When life doesn’t go your way
How do you smile, what do you say?
Is there sun to dry the rain?
Is there hope to heal the pain?
Where do you turn to heal your burns?
Will life always seem so stern?
What will you do if “today”
Will always be a “different way”?
Through the fog, do you see the light?
Do you need to borrow, to use His Sight?
This life is trying to build your soul,
Enhance your beauty, your self control.
So don’t let despair fill your heart
For God’s just given you a big head start.
He wants you back within arms reach
And Hard Times are the best way to teach.
Take a breath and get back in the fight.
Hold your head up, shine your light.
For today will soon be a moment past.
So cling to the important things that last.
And though today didn’t go your way,
Take heart – you’re the Master Potter’s clay.

The Power of a Book

I have confession to make: I love books. I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love books actually, so I guess I’m a bit biased! This humble confession sums up quite nicely my own attitude. 🙂 With that being said, I do think that knowledge and study of the best books out there really does bless our lives.

When I open up a book –
Turn the page and have a look –
I soon forget about my cares,
The laundry sitting on the stairs,
The dishes in the kitchen sink,
What my nosy neighbors think.
And I’m whisked to some new place
And learning how to act with grace.
Or fight with the courage of
Heroes and the Lord above.
Learning how to be more kind.
Help others who are in a bind.
All about the deep blue sea
And creatures on the earth with me.
How to make a lovely meal
Or how to teach a dog to heel.
And when it’s time to close that book –
Lift my eyes and take a look –
Before I go back to my day
I take a moment just to pray,
And thank the Lord for knowledge more
Then I had just before.
That blesses me in many ways
And helps me out on all my days.
That helps me be much more like Him
Who lived his life without a sin.
Have you learned the value of
Knowledge from the Lord above?
Or how much exactly you are blessed
When you take the time to learn the best
From a simple book each day –
Take the time to study and pray.
Before you know it, Life’s complete
And then in Heaven you take your seat.
Won’t you be surprised to see
How much like God you’ve come to be,
In your knowledge and in your heart
And so much of it in part
Because you opened up a book –
Turned the page and had a look.

Perspective

It’s another Fall day around these parts. How do you feel about this time of year? It can be wonderful. It can be hard! (Like when you live in the Pacific Northwest like we do and it is day after day of dark and grey…) Thankfully it’s not forever! On the rough days, sometimes it’s hard to not let the Hard get you down though, right? I’ve learned that pausing and taking a few moments of gratitude for what I do have definitely helps. And sometimes taking it a little further and having a change in perspective goes a long way too. Like thinking “Where would I be if my life was different?”
Then maybe sneaking to the pantry for a quick bite of chocolate. 😉

Where would I be right now
If all my blessings disappeared somehow?
Would my heart be soft as stone?
Would my body be old cold bones?
Would this child upon my knee
Disappear and cease to be?
Would my pantry be filled with dust?
While suddenly I ceased to trust?
Would friends I’ve made along the way
Disappear just like the day?
Would the sky be always grey?
Or would all the rain just go away?
Would sweet music that fills my ears
Become unbearable or hard to hear?
Would that car parked in the drive
Turn to rust – no longer drive?
Would this peace and safety that I feel
Turn to turmoil and missed meals?
Would the warmth of this soft bed
Turn to ice and cold instead?
Would the peace and safety all around
Turn to something that can’t be found?
Would all the knowledge that I’ve gained
Disappear without a stain?
Would the clothes that warm my back
Turn to rough and worn out sacks?
Would all the beauty on this Earth
Disappear, replaced by dearth?
Would the smiles on children’s faces
Only be found in a few rare cases?
Oh, when I think upon these things
I see God’s love and my heart sings!
Then I humbly bow my head
And offer thanks for the aforesaid.
For no matter how hard the day,
When I choose to follow in his way,
The only place to find relief –
I am blessed beyond belief.
I also know without a doubt
If I walk away there may come drought.
For all these blessings come from God
And not some fancy, fake façade.
So next time that you’re feeling down
Halt those thoughts and turn around.
For God’s love is all year round
And our blessings so profound
That if we only choose to see
We’ll know exactly How to Be.
And if in the Light, we walk His way
We’ll be more than merely blessed each day.

My Part in It

Do you realize how important you are and the good you do in this life? I’m going to bet you don’t. It’s easy to see the importance and good others do but not so easy to recognize it in ourselves. Take heart my friend. When you are doing the things God asks you to, when you are doing the things God needs you to, you are in a wonderful place. ❤

There is a place I love to sit
And think about just where I fit
In this life and in God’s plan
And just how obedient that I am.
But when I let the Spirit in,
And think of exactly where I’ve been,
How glad I am that God chose me.
How glad I am that God trusts me.
To do the things I humbly do.
To do the things God asks me to.
For God loves each and every one of us –
And so many do the things they must –
So who am I among the Great?
With all the many mistakes I make.
And when I stand up once again –
Once more ready to jump back in –
And fight the fight already won.
Do the things that God needs done.
I do so with more humble heart
Reminded that God loves my part.
The things I do – though humble now –
Help build the Kingdom of God somehow.
I let that thought comfort me
And trust the eyes through which God sees.
For I may be an imperfect piece
But it’s through God’s plan we all find peace
And if my tiny, little part
Can help grow someone else’s heart
Then when I meet God and his Son
They may just tell me “Job well done!”
How glad I’ll be that God saw fit
And in His plan, I played my part in it.

Humble Prayer

At church a few weeks ago I was out in the foyer during Sacrament Meeting chasing my little boys when I noticed a picture hanging on the wall that made me pause. The picture is of Joseph Smith as a boy kneeling in prayer. In that moment I thought about how one simple prayer can change so many lives! We may never know the effects of our prayers on the lives of others or ourselves but one thing is for sure – I am forever grateful for the humble prayers of so many that have gotten me where I am today.

How glad I am for humble prayer
Where God can find us kneeling there
And gently whisper in our ear
The many things we need to hear.
There on our knees with simple heart
He whispers just what is our part
Then lends his strength abundantly
And gives his love consistently.
Only asking in return
We love others with as much concern
And live our lives as best we can
Exactly like the Son of Man.

How lives are changed through humble prayer –
From parents to those in deep despair
And living prophets of the Lord
To bishops who humbly lead each ward.
Even simple farmer boys –
Seeking truth amidst the noise.
Each can find the peace they seek
For God loves each prayer, each child unique
And ready He stands to help us up
Then guide us through the bitter cup.
Grateful for who we become.
Proud of what we overcome.

How blessed we are by humble prayer
And all the answers to be found right there.
And strength and courage freely given.
Mistakes and sins freely forgiven.
Our hearts are changed with each heartfelt prayer.
Our lives are changed when we pray with care.
So next time you have time to spare
Spend the time in heartfelt prayer.

Remember

Do you ever feel forgotten by Heavenly Father or the Savior? Or that they could never care about you because of choices you’ve made? Maybe you feel like they love everyone else but you? Well friends, I’ve been there too and it’s hard but this is exactly how they do NOT feel! I think someday we will humbled and amazed beyond words at the love they have for each of us. It takes courage and lots of faith to believe in their love (especially when things are hard!) but it is worth it!

When you feel sorrow and regret
When you feel shame or are upset
When you are weighed and dragged right down
When your smile is kidnapped by a frown

Don’t ever forget that help is near
Don’t ever forget the Lord is here

When you aren’t quite sure just what to do
When you encounter something new
When you feel helpless and afraid
When you feel the weight of mistakes you’ve made

Don’t ever forget you can make it through
Don’t ever forget the Lord loves you

When hope has left its place with you
And there is no sunshine through the dew
When you feel alone and forgotten too
The Lord is still right there with you

He humbly waits to be let in
He calmly waits to take your sins
His power is greater than you know
So take that seed and let it sow