Spiritual Growth

I'm not very good at sharing spiritual experiences. They're personal. Putting them into words trivializes them for me. I love to hear others, though, and so, by that same token, maybe another could benefit from hearing mine. Not all, though. I know most people may prefer to skip this week's post. But this week has been one big spiritual growth spurt for me after another. I'm overwhelmed in a most exquisite way.

It was just last week that I asked God if this was it for me. Was my life just going to be a series of enjoyable struggles and triumphs with marriage, childrearing, music, etc.? Was I not really going to grow much more? Will it just be this steady ebb and flow for the rest of my life? That was the vision of my future that I had. It wasn't that bad an outlook, but it was somewhat disappointing. I certainly wasn't asking for trials or hardships to come along. Marriage and childrearing is packed with plenty of difficulties for a lifetime. But I was asking God if this is what He had planned for my life when he sent me to this earth. Was raising two boys and managing a stable household all that was expected of me because perhaps they or their progeny would be the ones to become something more?

The next day or so, I got a resounding "No." More on that in a later Blog. For now, this is what the Lord has been telling me this week:

• There's a lot for me to do and it's high time I start doing it. Stop being lazy and use every moment for something useful.
• There are a lot of scripture stories with which I am unfamiliar. I've read them before and studied them here and there, but the retention isn't there. And I'm going to need them soon.
  
• My children and my spouse need to hear about my spiritual experiences, so they can benefit from them, too.
• I need to listen to people more and talk a lot less. They will tell me ways that I can make the world a better place.
• Family Home Evening needs to happen every week. For me, for the kids, and for our relationship with Heavenly Father to grow.
• Be sensitive to the comings and goings of the Spirit. I need the Spirit constantly with me. Don't do things that jeopardize that.

I love that Heavenly Father always answers my prayers. It's humbling and wonderful to know that all I have to do is ask and listen. Then do.