This week our community suffered a terrible tragedy. We lost 10 of us in a horrific airplane crash. With Cedar City being a small town, many of us knew at least one of those killed in the crash. Both me and my children had been treated by the doctors killed. My husband and I know surviving family members. It has been a shocking event. I never know what to say to those who are mourning. What can you say? I only know that I will raise my thoughts and voice in prayer this week for those who have lost love ones.
Today at church we talked about meaningful prayers. As I sat there and listened I knew this was the topic I needed to write or reminisce about today. Lately, my busy hectic schedule has caught me praying less frequently, less sincerely, more quickly. I feel as if there is something missing in my days, as if I am forgetting something vitally important.
Prayer has always been a source of great strength in my life. There has been so many pivotal moments in my life that center around prayer. There have been so many moments of strength and comfort found in prayer. Indulge me for a moment as I reflect on some of these times in my life, I need to remember how central prayer is in my life.
When I was attending college I found myself confused about what subject to pursue. I prayed many nights and days to find direction. I finally discovered that after praying about pursuing journalism I felt motivated and excited. I knew this was the answer to those prayers. I have been forever grateful to the answer to this prayer.
I have found true solace and comfort from prayer: When someone very dear to me was struggling with an abusive marriage and her life was often threatened I would stay awake for hours worrying for her safety. I have never felt so utterly helpless to protect someone. Unable to sleep I would plead for her safety. There were nights I could not fall asleep until I felt the still small whisper: "She is safe. I am watching out for her." I could then drift off to sleep knowing a higher power than me would keep her safe for another night.
I have found the faith to be healed from prayer: When I became ill last year, I was unable to take care of my family the way I wanted. The illness and the surgery to cure that illness were both uncommon. I worried that the surgery would have complications. I feared I would not be able to get well. I prayed fervently for the faith to be healed. I have often been sick in my life. At times I have just felt that I don't have enough faith. This time I went to my Heavenly Father and told him I had a family who needed me. I knew he wanted me to be a mother and a wife and a caretaker. I needed him to heal me and I knew my motives were just. I felt an overwhelming peace that all would be well. I knew there would be no complications and that I would recover enough to care for my family again. I had found faith to be healed.
Every day as my children grow I am confronted with an array of problems I don't know how to solve on my own. My own impatient nature doesn't allow me to always choose the most kind, loving gentle path of mothering. I have often prayed for a sense of humor, patience or the wisdom to say the right thing to a child struggling with a problem. I have often felt extra strength given to me in these areas. I know my Heavenly Father answers mother's prayers for their children. We did accept the job after all.
I know that our Heavenly Father loves all his children. He will give us what we need (not always what we want) when we earnestly ask for his help and listen carefully for his answers. Sometimes my Dad calls me on the phone and simply says," "That's better, I just needed to hear your voice." I am sure our Heavenly Father just wants to hear from us sometimes. Sometimes my Dad needs to have a longer more meaningful talk with me. I am sure that sometimes our Father in Heaven needs a more meaningful conversation with us also.
This week I will pray for many things, but I will add my prayers to those of other community members pleading for comfort for those in need of comfort and I will spend a moment mourning with those who mourn.
3 comments:
I loved this post.
It is very true we do forget to pray too many times. I am thankful you shared times when your prayers were answered and times when they gave you comfort. I too am mourning with those who lost their loved ones this past weekend. It was truly a horrible event. We will probably never know the reason they were taken this way but we can find strength and solace in prayer.
That is such a tragic thing that happend to your small town. It is prayer that gets us through these tuff times. I can't imagine how Clay's family was able to get through such terrible sorrow but I know it was because of thier relationship with their heavenly father. It really is the most amazing thing when you think about it. Your post was beautiful and inspired me to write down the times when my prayers were anwered as well. Thanks for sharing
Those poor families of the victims of the plane crash....I can't even imagine how they are dealing with it. I have been so sad for them these last few days.
Post a Comment