I first wish to articulate something that has been on my mind for the past couple weeks.

 

Reflecting on the experiences shared at Time out for Women and another personal story a woman in church shared recently… It made me think of the phrase that everyone says “God will never give you more than you can handle” and what is it exactly to ‘handle’ something. If its something you are meant to get thru alone, then it probably won’t be more than you can handle, but I think often times we are given challenges that ARE more than we can handle ALONE. If we turn to God, he gives us the strength and determination to bear that burden. It reminds me of the people of Alma who were enslaved and felt the burden was too heavy to handle alone.

Mosiah 24:10-16

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.

11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.

 

He didnt take away their burden, but made it lighter, so that they could be happy, knowing the Lord was on their side, and then because of their faith and patience, the Lord promised to finally deliver them.

 

I struggle to ‘submit cheerfully’. I learned this lesson while in Spain to accept the Lord’s will in all things, but not being a missionary anymore, I have slipped out of this mindset.

 

I bought a book while at Time Out for Women called The Christ-Centered Home by Emily Belle Freeman. She shares 12 stories from the New Testament of Jesus visiting people’s homes and poses thought provoking questions about your own home and how to better invite Him in. The reason I mention this book is because I recognized something missing in my life. While I testify of the truthfulness of the Savior and His gospel, my day-to-day activities are not always geared towards inviting the Spirit into my day and helping me bear the burdens of life.

 

It is one step of becoming perfected.