Samuel and Eli

I was reading in 1 Samuel 3 the other night. Many of us know the story of young Samuel and Eli the temple priest. Both lay down to sleep and through that night there came a call, 'Samuel.' The boy Samuel, thinking Eli had called him, went to Eli's room to find that Eli had not called him. He went back and lay down and returned not only a second but also a third time. At this third visit, Eli sensing that Samuel was being spoken to by the Lord, said, 'if he call thee...say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.' (v.9)

Now there is much to be learned here. Samuel obeyed the very FIRST time. He also remained diligent and obeyed each subsequent time. So much faith and dedication! Having said that, there is something that caught my attention even more than that.

In the next few verses we read that Samuel received a message, a rather harsh message, concerning his mentor Eli: 'I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house...because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.'

That next morning Eli asked Samuel to tell him 'the thing that the Lord hath said unto [him].' (v. 17) Can you imagine how scared Samuel must have been to tell Eli what the Lord had said? Verse 15 tells us, 'And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.' But despite Samuel's fear he 'told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.' (v. 18) I am impressed by the courage and love this young boy had in telling Eli 'every whit.' But what impresses me even more is Eli's response. Put yourself in Eli's shoes for a moment. He was the temple priest; Samuel was just a kid. Who was Samuel to be counseling Eli and prophesying against him? But listen closely to Eli's response. He said: 'It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.'

Wow! Such humility! Eli could have been puffed up in anger and pride to hear such words, but instead he reacted with meekness and submissiveness. I believe they both loved and cared for each other enough to be ungrudgingly open to receive counsel and correction and, when moved upon by the spirit, even be willing to give it.

W. Somerset Maugham said: "People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise." I hope that's not entirely true for me. I feel I have been blessed with so many deep relationships. I pray I will be open to receive some much needed counsel and correction and to also be loving and courageous enough to give it when moved upon by the spirit.

A Child's Prayer

A few weeks ago I was teaching our Primary class. It was our last week in the Summerfield Ward and I was a bit melancholy. We had grown attached to our ward, our neighbors, and our callings. Leaving some of those kids was sad for me. I guess I'm always a little apprehensive when it comes to change.

Since Anna was put on bed rest just a few days earlier, she wasn't able to attend! The kids were so sad. I told them that Anna was having some "problems being pregnant". I also told them that this would be our last week teaching them. For the most part they seemed pretty sad, (although I'm sure there were some that were overjoyed)! :-)

At the conclusion of our lesson I asked for a volunteer to say the closing prayer. (Now keep in mind I usually ask for a volunteer but generally end up forcing someone to say it.) Unexpectedly, a young man raised his hand... unusual, but not necessarily unheard of. I was expecting a quick, let's get out of here, type of prayer; but what I got was quite different. This young man thanked Heavenly Father for letting us teach them, he asked that we would be blessed, and he ended his prayer by sincerely asking our Father in Heaven to help "Sister Hale" through her pregnancy.

Needless to say, I was touched. I sometimes think that all too often what I say goes in one ear and out the other. I was humbled. I learned that not only are these children listening to so many things we have to say, but they are also tender, loving, concerned, and thoughtful! I was forever affected by this child's prayer.

"Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high" (Hymns no. 145)

Supreme Service of Christ

I'm currently reading a book by Neal A. Maxwell called "All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience". I highly recommend it! He is so articulate and powerful. It almost seems irreverent to make an attempt at expounding upon his already compelling words, but I will do my best. He said:

"Jesus did not find pleasure in hanging on the cross; joy came after duty and agony.He went to Gethsemane and Golgotha out of a sense of supreme service, not because it would meet his needs. He fulfilled all things by giving all in that remarkable and special act of service. He descended below all - taking more than all of us put together have taken - before being lifted up.
"But selfish people are forever taking their own temperature , asking themselves, "Am I happy?""

As I have pondered upon that thought for a few days, I have been deeply moved by the "supreme service" of Christ. None of what he remarkably did was for him! It never was, even from the beginning. He, being the only One without stain is the only One who suffered ultimate agony in an act of ultimate love and service. And although this was done in divine love, Christ still "did not find pleasure in hanging on the cross", indeed, His "joy came after duty and agony." To me that is a marvelous insight!

How often am I "checking my own temperature"? How often am I concentrating on my own happiness? I believe I'm learning that much of the joy I seek now will actually come "after duty" and even after some "agony". When those times of agony do come I hope to have the faith to say: "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42)

The Hand of God

The Lord, more often then I deserve, blesses me with spiritual experiences and gives me sacred insights into many of the so-called mysteries in my mind. Unfortunately, too many times these insights are taken lightly, not written down, and eventually lost forever! I am attempting to remedy that.

The purpose of this blog is to recognize the hand of God in my daily life. President Eyring in the October 2007 General Conference recalled a time when he heard in his mind these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.”

I have pondered upon those words time and again and feel the Lord is expressing those same sentiments to me. These experiences are not just for me, but they are also for my family and dear friends. Therefore, I will venture to write down the thoughts of my heart and also some of my experiences in hopes that I might retain these sacred insights and perhaps help ignite or feed some kind of fire in the hearts of my loved ones.

I sincerely hope you will enjoy this blog. I pray it will inspire you and give you a spiritual boost at a time when so much around us is "in commotion". (D&C 45:26, D&C 88:91)