God loves you . . .

  

I was laying in bed last night waiting to fall asleep and I was thinking about all of the good things in my life.  I often do that at the end of the day, a prelude to my prayers.

Our Relief Society Lesson yesterday afternoon had been based on a talk by Elder Ballard from the last conference. Hope in Christ. I found it really hard.  It had been one of my favourite talks from the conference, but the lesson was hard.

We long to help all who feel alone or feel they don’t belong. 

Let me mention, in particular, those who are currently single.    

The last two Relief Society Lessons have been extremely difficult for me to sit through. I feel like I have nothing to contribute, and so have spent the whole time sitting there, crying on the sidelines. I haven't actually gone to church here yet, although this was the congregation that I was initially Baptized into 22 years ago.  I don't yet feel a part of it. 20 years away will do that to you.

I am not single, but I am not really married either. I'm not divorced. I'm not a widow . . . I just felt like I didn't fit into any category. I grieve and yet I am not a widow.  I suppose I also feel kind of stupid.  Stupid that I could have let someone deceive me in the way my husband did and for so long.  There is a part of me that doesn't want anyone to know what happened and I know that once I start going to church in person, there will be questions. Part of my not going is my avoiding that scenario. I don't know what to say.

I will find my place eventually. It will just take time.

 

And so I found myself laying in bed last night thinking about all of my positives and all of the prayers that have been given and answered on my behalf over these past months.  Many in miraculous ways. As my friend Jacquie said when I called her to tell her I had a place finally to live, "Somebody loves you."

And I have felt that love many, many times throughout my life.  Sometimes the reality of it comes without me even having to think about it, and sometimes I have to dig a little deeper, but I always, always find it if I take the time to look.

In reality it is a constant . . . .  but sometimes we just need reminders you know. Little reassurances.  Sometimes it is just not enough to . . .  be . . .  loved. Sometimes we just need to hear the words. 

And God sends His words in small and meaningful ways . . .  ways we are often tempted to take for granted.  And sometimes in ways that are not so obvious. We often overlook them.

You know the other day when you were waiting in a line of traffic, thinking you were never going to get out and then suddenly somebody stopped to give you a break?  That was God saying He loves you.

Or that person who said just the right word or gave you a sweet smile just when you needed it most?  God loves you. 

 

(source)

That beautiful sunrise that warmed your face and your soul?  God loves you.

The person who helped you to pick up your groceries when the bag broke, opened the door when your arms were full, gave you their space in the lineup because you had fewer things than they had to put through the tils at the grocery store, ?  God loves you. 

That feather you found just when you were thinking about your mom and  missing her.  That heart shaped stone, leaf, flower  . . .  a four leaf clover . . . a kind and gentle word . . .  an answered unanswered prayer . . .  that phone call just when you needed it most  . . . God loves you. 

A kind word, a gentle answer, small acts of kindness, little pockets of joy, helping hands, loving hearts . . . 

 

(source)

No, not all of our tears and sorrows will be wiped away as if by magic. We live in a fallen world. Bad things will always happen to good people. And sometimes seemingly without any rhyme or reason.  Life wasn't meant to be easy.  Lessons are often learned the hard way. All too often we end up suffering because of the bad choices that other people make.  But there is a way to get through the hard times, the sorrow, the pain.  

And just when things look their bleakest, darkest, most hopeless . . .  He sends a rainbow, because . . .  lets face it  . . . He's crazy about you.  There IS something good to be found in every day.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.It is not happy people that are thankful.

It is thankful people that are happy.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Easy Spring Vegetable & Pesto Tart.  A delicious doddle.

I hope you have a beautiful day. Its raining here.  I had hoped to go and look for some furniture, but maybe I will stay home and do my income tax.  I have no papers and didn't receive any T4 slips, but I reckon I can figure it out somehow.  We will see.

Whatever you get up to, don't forget  . . . 

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He really does.  And I do too.