45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour

 45 (12-4-2023) I Need Thee Every Hour

Dear Family,

This scripture has stayed with me over the past couple of weeks, and has helped me several times. The message has gained greater meaning for me as I try to apply it. I thought this week I would share a few examples of its application in my own life,  and invite you to consider ways to apply it in yours.

2 Nephi 9:39  Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal.

President Nelson defined thinking Celestial as being spiritually minded. The prophet Jacob defined here the same way, as “life eternal”. This is our greatest hope and desire, to return to our love in Heavenly parents, and to be together as family forever.

So here are just a couple of ways striving to be spiritually minded have helped me this past week:

• As you all know to well, because you know me better then anyone, patience manages to stay one or two steps ahead of me most times. And when I am inpatient, I naturally become short, abrupt, and quickly irritated. This obviously isn’t my best self, nor the person I want to be, especially to those I love most. The byproduct is pride and unkindness,  and often a short word of frustration which never lead to building anything or anyone.  When I let this go unchecked even for a day, it puts me on a different page with the family, even my sweetheart, which is the last think I want. As this thought came to me durning my fasting this past week, I instantly had the desire to change. I could see clearly in several moments of the previous week how I could  have been more patient, softer, and more kind. I could clearly see the connection of the way I am thinking, to the results that followed. This may not be a new realization, but for me it was a greater realization. I want to treat those I love not as family, but as eternal family, therefore I need to think and act eternal, or Celestial.

• Here is a silly example, but an important one. Last night we sat down for dinner and I had asked Lainey to pray. Sometimes she has a tendency (most times :) to slowly get around to doing what you’ve asked of her. Almost always I feel this impatience and stress build up as I’m waiting for her, even to say a prayer of all things, how ironic is that? Last night, this scripture came to my head and I could feel myself taking a deep breath, my shoulders relaxed,  and I could literally feel this weakness of mine go away. This allowed me to smile inside, and feel calm take over, and more importantly saved me from giving and unkind “look” or word. 

• Work has been a little more stressful these past couple of months, just with all the change and unknowns. I can feel that craziness get me worked up inside, but without exception, if I step back, ask my Heavenly Father for peace, He gives it to me. It doesn’t take away my stress, but it  helps me remember His promises to me, and I always come away feeling like “I can do this.”

To be spiritually minded helps us take what challenges and opportunities we currently face, and see them for what they really are, learning experiences that if we let them will allow us to be more like our Savior. When we have those tendencies to see things through our natural eyes and feelings, let us follow our prophet and see with our spiritual eyes, giving place to the feelings of the Holy Ghost to guide, direct, and comfort us. I know that if we choose, we can see “all” things spiritually, and this will lead us to our ultimate goal and home, an eternal and Celestial home.

I love you all, and hope you have an amazing week!

Love, Dad