Facing the Fire with Faith
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I will be speaking next Sunday. I was asked to be the speaker at a Stake Youth fireside. I will be discussing how to make it through trials, with faith. It is a topic I have become very familiar with, as of late.
My mind has been swirling with ideas, thoughts, and intense emotions, as I have been preparing for this task. I have had a little bit of presenting preparation, since I have been teaching a large group during Gospel Doctrine class. But this event is for the youth, so it's a little different dynamic. (I love the youth, by the way -- they are the BEST!)
I have had many youth firesides in my home, but they have been really low-key, and small. This will be a little more exciting, with a larger group of youth and leaders. Eek! No pressure!
It will be 5 months -- almost to the day -- since I last stood at the same Church pulpit, while briefly speaking at Charles' funeral Life Celebration. I haven't been in that building since that day, so that should be interesting. However, I have been in many more difficult places, so I should be fine!
5 months ago, I had no idea I would be standing in front of a group of people discussing how I have endured the loss of my husband. It was not on my calendar, or my radar. And, yet, here I am -- living a life I never planned on living. And -- because of my Heavenly Father -- I am still happy!
Hallelujah!
The first night after Charles died, I asked my Heavenly Father the questions, "Why me, why now?"
My answer from Him was, "You know why."
He wants me to testify of Him, and His gospel -- no matter the circumstances. And He knows I will do it.
Since that day, I have changed my question from, "Why me?" to "What now?"
As I take life one day at a time, I continue to discover what He wants me to do… one day at a time.
God has been preparing me for this time.
At this moment, I am anxious about speaking, but excited about testifying. It would have been so much easier to say, "No, I can't," and then I could just stay home and eat ice-cream, while snuggled comfortably in a blanket.
But the thing is, I know too much to hide from sharing my testimony -- I have to speak!
I know that He will be with me.
At this point, I have been studying and pondering, and trying to put my thoughts together, and yet, I still have no idea what I am going to say! (That's always fun!)
No worries, though. I am prepared.
God will give me the words.
I can't wait to see what He wants me to say! :-)
you are totally prepared for this...and i bet it will be fantastic and amazing and beautiful and most importantly filled with the spirit!
ReplyDeleteyou have earned the wisdom you've gained through this experience and i KNOW it can and will bless the lives of others now and into the future (it has blessed mine in more way than one). your wisdom NEEDS to be shared and i wish i could tell every youth in attendance to LISTEN to you because you know of what you speak!! can't wait to hear how it goes, but i know you'll do awesome. :)
Wow, those youth are so blessed to hear your amazing testimony and be edified your bright, strong spirit!! You will be a true light to them and it will be a meeting that will be engrained in their hearts forever. Thank you for your uplifting posts, I love reading them.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I can't wait to read how it went. I'm sure you will do a great job. You do a great job of reminding to say "What now" in my life too.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what He has you say too. All I know, is that you are prepared so you have no need to fear. I watched you bear your testimony at Charles' life celebration and I watched you teach my Young Women while here in AK. Your testimony of courage and the ability to continue forward is powerful. You allow the Spirit to teach and that is a great gift.
ReplyDeleteTrust the Lord. Do the best you can and leave the rest to Him (Joseph B. Wirthlin counsels us to do just that.)
Sure love you Mari!
Kary