After spending an enjoyable 30th birthday together with my husband and two small children I found myself going to bed sick at heart thanks to the election/results. As I lay in bed trying to sleep, I found myself thinking about thinking about history, warnings from our founders, greater warnings from living Prophets, signs, prophecies and prophetic dream about what is to come... Needless to say, between that and a teething baby, I didn't get much sleep. And yet, today I feel peace.
This morning, I remembered a lesson I learned from my father years ago. When I was twenty-one I felt a strong call to serve a mission through my church to teach others about Christ. I began to work thirteen-hour days to pay off my school debt and earn the money I needed to go for an 18 month mission. After almost a year of exhausting work, I was soooo close to my goal, when the upper cam shaft of my engine came apart. Thankfully, I heeded the impression to get off the freeway and pull over just moments before it all happened. If I hadn't, then my engine would have exploded and I wouldn't be here. However, I was still looking at having to rebuild the engine to my car, so I could continue to work. I also had to have my car in condition to sell when I left, so I could pay off the remaining amount due on my car loan. Needless to say, I was devastated. The cost of the parts to rebuild my engine was over $1300 and that wouldn't even cover the labor. This was a major setback. At this rate I would never get out. I was having a self-proclaimed pity party when my wise father came and put his arms around me. "Julia, why do you want to serve a mission?" He asked.
"I felt God tell me to go. But I worry I will never get out there now," I replied.
"Did God know this was going to happen to your car when He called you to serve last year?" He asked.
I thought about it and realized that if God knows everything then. This setback I was going through wasn't a surprise to Him. I told this to my dad. To which he responded, "So, if God knew this was going to happen to you back before he gave you the call, don't you think He prepared a way for you to accomplish what He asked of you?"
I did eventually earn the money I needed to be able to serve a mission, though I didn't get out to serve as quickly as I had wanted. I had more than one poignant moment where I received confirmation that not only was I doing what the Lord desired for me to be doing (serving a mission to help my brothers and sisters in North Carolina better come unto Christ...), but that I was there at just the right TIME.
As I remembered this experience, I remembered the promise that nothing can frustrate the full purposes of God. Times are going to get harder, of that I have no doubt. However, I have no doubt that the Lord knew what the outcome of this last election would be long before we did and has provided a way for all who turn to Him. Knowing this helped, but I was still a little worried about what is coming. If even a portion of the prophetic warnings and prophesies come to pass things are going to get really scary.
Then I remembered a line in my patriarchal blessing that has helped me greatly in my life. I feel it is ok to share this one little part with you, for maybe it will have the power to help bring you some peace in the midst of the storm we face (since I believe it can apply to all who qualify).
"The work is being hastened and quickened and the hearts of men in many nations are waxing cold, brother to brother, and family to family. But I bless the, dear Julia that you will always keep in mind the sweetness and truthfulness of the word of The Lord. Live it, keep it, and teach it. Then you shall have no fear in the events of the earth. You shall walk in the light of spirituality and the light of truth, and feel the presence of the angels of God, even so those guardian angels that may from time to time, of necessity watch over thee and keep thee from harm’s way."
Like I said, last night I went to bed sick at heart. I let my fears prey upon my mind, but no more. Now I have peace for I know what to do.
Let us all walk in the light of spirituality and truth that we may qualify to have the angels of God as our companions. If we do so, we have no need to fear. It is time to turn our hearts even more to God and to prepare ourselves spiritually, as well as, temporally. For as The Lord has said, "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."
I spoke to husband and we agreed there is a lot we can do to help both ourselves and our family to strengthen our faith in God and to prepare so that we can walk in the light.
