While at work, I was in deep thought. Not so much for myself, but those I love and see many of them be bombarded with different battles in their lives. So many different battles. Ones that I can't even fathom going through, but they were and are doing it--tremendously. And at times, I could see it cut to the inner core of their entire being. The worst part? There was nothing I could do but cheer them on. And sometimes that's just what's needed. That's the plan the Lord has for us and we just have to follow through.
Anyways, while I was deep in thought I was thinking, "Why? Why do these simply amazing people have to go through so much, and there isn't a darn thing I can't do?" When it came to me, (I'm sure by inspiration from the Lord) "We are all fighting different battles, but its all from the same source. Same sources."
Source One.
The most smelly, (I'd assume) horrible, awful person I can think of--Satan. I can't stand him. He's a peabrain of a man. When we go through our own trials, he seems to be at every corner. Not rooting us on, but discouraging us. Telling us we can't. Who has that right? We can't let him have that opportunity brothers and sisters.
He is an unfortunate source. He will push and continue to push trial and tribulation on our path hoping we won't make it through. However, our other source of battle is a completely different story.
Source Two.
The most amazing, patient, caring, loving, person there ever is and yet to be--our Heavenly Father. Why you may ask that He puts trial in our way? Simply because He loves us and wants us to grow. He is our Father. And just as it makes our parents ache when we have to make mistakes and learn, it hurts our Father in Heaven too. However, we must learn and grow. We must take this as a time to be grateful for the knowledge we have and make something of it. Because even if our Father has given us something that seems insurmountable, it's not something He expects us to accomplish on our own. We have the wonderful power of prayer to use to communicate with Him and work through our trials.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:18
So now the time has come. We are given multiple and various battles in our lives. Ones that from the bottom of the mountain seem almost impossible. But it all depends on how you look and react to it; Which source of your battle will you listen to?
First, I ask that you take a minute to watch this video--that is less than a minute long.
*Try clicking this if the video above doesn't work.
Oh man. Sundays. Aren't they the greatest? They're called the day of rest aren't they? Here are 5 ways to get the most out of your Sabbath, at least from what I've experienced and tested!
1. Go to bed BEFORE Midnight.
That's right. It's super difficult. You want to get all your final "weekend party" in before the dreaded Monday comes. Been there, done that! I seriously thought my parents were crazy when they told me I needed to be in bed before midnight. "Like really? I'm a teenager--almost adult. That 'knows' everything!" But when you go to bed before midnight, your Sunday means a lot more. You are more awake, and ready to listen to what the Lord is trying to tell you. Many will laugh at me for saying this, but this is coming from a gal who's prayers have been answered in those sacred meetings. All because she put forth the effort to make it a priority. Along with going to bed before midnight, is also waking up on time--it's a struggle! But entirely worth it. (And you 1:00 church goers, make sure you aren't sleeping your day away!)
2. Be Ready for Questions to be Answered!
Something great about the Lord's plan is that He ALWAYS answers our questions. Not always on our timing, but He answers them! But we also have to do our part--be ready and worthy to receive those answers. Sacrament meeting over the past 17 years have not always been hunky dory. They can prove to be strenuous and long to sit through, even for a teenager at times! But here are a couple of things that you can do to get the most out of it:
Print off a talk beforehand.
You don't necessarily have to just print it out, but it helps me to have a hardcopy that I can highlight and write notes on. I'm just old-fashioned in that aspect! Click the link here, here, and here for a few of my favorite talks.
Bring your HARDCOPY scriptures.
I'm not hating on the new and improved world we live in, but it brings a different aspect when you bring the scriptures you will bring on your mission, have brought on your mission, or even ones that won't allow you to access other sites while we have the sacrament.
3. Thou Shalt Not Disturb.
If there were to be an 11th Commandment, I feel like it would be "Thou Shalt Not Disturb". Especially in this day and age it's pretty easy to access anything at the touch of a finger. Another thing I've learned is to turn your phone on either "do not disturb", or "airplane mode". For all your meetings! It's extremely easy to access social media and not listen to the things we should, but the Lord has given us a day to remember Him and do His work. We can take a few hours off of our beloved technology and given Him our time after all He has given us.
4. Go Beyond.
My friends, the Sabbath goes far past the few hours we spend at church. It's a day of respect and worship. It's a day for family, (in the right Sunday activities) a day to remember all that we have, and especially a day to work towards what we will do to become a better person for the next week. So when you get home from church, keep that spirit there for the rest of the day, and aim for the rest of the week. I promise it will make a difference. Here's a few things that I have learned to help me keep the focus:
Don't do homework on Sundays!
Oh the struggle! Especially getting a work overload, it's difficult to take off even one day of not doing homework. But I have seen a huge difference of taking the time to put the Lord first and even if it means missing some friend time, or going to bed a little later on a Friday night, it was all well worth it when my relationship has been better with my Savior and Redeemer.
Try some Personal Progress or Duty to God.
Just do it.
Watch only Sunday-Appropriate movies.
Now I can't really make a literal list of all of them, but I feel like we all have a good conscience as far as judgement goes on this. If it's questionable, don't watch it! Haha if all else fails, watch those cheesy Mormon movies. You know what I'm talking about!
Listen to the right kind of music.
I like to call it my "Sunday music detox". I like more chill music as it already is, but there's something about church music that helps me think through situations and think more clearly. It helps! EFY music is a definite top of the list! I'd be happy to share some of mine!
5. Take It and Do Something With It!
Like Shiloh LaBeouf would say, "Just...DO IT!" It takes a lot of work and effort on our part, and I assure you I am far from perfect--especially on this topic, but I have seen the difference and impact it's made on my life. I promise it's something you won't ever regret. Oh how I've learned to love Sundays.
~Mostly Marissa~
Here's a few things the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has suggested:
Especially for families with young children: Sunday Cans
Hello readers! I'm back!! It's been about two months of a much needed break from blogging and I've got to say, I've missed it! Since there's been so much that's gone on these past two months, I'll put it in simple terms: It's been pretty great! (If you want to see what I've been up to, just check out my social media accounts--I've been told I post a lot but oh whallleee! ;))
So the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has put out this new video program (I'm not sure if that's the right term to use, but I'll use it for now. :)) It quite literally has changed my life. And do you know what it's called? 12 Steps to Change. But do you know this? It is completely surrounded around helping those who struggle with addiction to get on the right path. Not once does the program EVER say, "We can only help this addiction/struggle." NEVER. There are even videos with stories of those who have struggled with addictions including alcohol, pornography, drug, and even food addiction. You can find out more about the program here and watch the videos right here.I highly recommend watching these videos--even if you do not struggle with one of these addictions personally, you could help someone who does.
I'd like to touch on two small parts of the "Change Factor," some that can particularly hard.
The Want of Change.
I think we all notice at one point or another that there needs to be a change in our life. It doesn't always have to be major either. It could be something as simple as "I'm reading my scriptures everyday, but it's just that. I'm just reading them." Or even "I really should work on my diet. It's not awful, but it's not so great either." And sure these sound silly to us, but when it comes to being becoming better than we are now, it's really not that silly.
I believe we're all truly good people. I think we all have good intentions, but sometimes we need that little push. The first step, at least for me is to know that I want something in my life to change, and especially know that I can find and have the willpower to make it happen. Change is hard! Ohhhh change is hard. But it's so necessary. The Atonement has a huge factor that plays into it of change. Change from past choices we've made. Knowing that the person we've been, can impact the person we are to become, but shouldn't entirely define our future.
"God cares a lot more about who we are and who we're becoming than about who we once were."
-Dale G. Rendlund
The Will to Forgive.
Something that's hard to always accept and move on with, is forgiveness. Can I be honest? I'll be honest, I have the hardest time with forgiveness. Not only with others, but entirely myself. It's hard. But it's a burden that I don't want to unnecessarily carry. Or have anyone carry. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much, and He loves all of His children, but as part of that love is knowing that His plan is greater than we can comprehend. And if He can forgive us of our wrongdoings, shouldn't we do that same with His other children and ourselves? The Atonement covers it all. But that doesn't mean that we should forget our part in it. Forgiveness is difficult, but in the end it's entirely worth it. And it's not a path that we will ever walk alone.
"Heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive."
