After refereeing the battle over how to open tubed cinnamon rolls between the two older darlings, I picked up my phone and began my marathon of listening to a scratched and worn out vinyl version of classical music. I waited and waited AND waited for someone to pick up the other end of the phone line. I just needed 4 simple numbers to refill a prescription. That prescription is taken on a set schedule, and I was already 4 days late. Being transferred 4 times to 4 different numbers for 1 simple refill…ugh. It seemed as if no one wanted to help me. Tired, frustrated, and a little worried, I was done. I resolved to try again tomorrow. As I kneeled in prayer that night, I asked my Father in Heaven for peace that I so yearned for. My mind raced to piece together why I felt so defeated and so, well…alone. Then, a quick decision I had made the night before came clear in my mind. I love my sleep. Because of that love, I had decided to just skip a little part of my not so perfect morning “routine”, and get a few extra minutes of shut eye. No big deal right? Little have I ever realized how big of a deal it was… I took twenty extra minutes of sleep over twenty minutes of reading about the faith of Alma. Twenty more minutes of sleep over conversing with my Father in Heaven. “Good Morning, I am here. I am grateful. I am willing. I am able. Will you help me?” I had never asked him for help! That’s what happened. Tears welled up in my tired eyes. It was like a phone was ringing ALL DAY and I was totally spiritually deaf to answer His call. Then a whisper came again…Ashley, it is never to late to ask! So, the next morning I asked for His help and He wasted no time in answering. I dialed the number for my refill. I only listened to that beloved music for a few short minutes, when a woman got on the other line and said, “Thank you for calling. How can I help you today?” I may of smiled a bit. As the call ended and my order was sent in, I put my phone down and paused. Feeling grateful, a blanket of peace held me and a soft whisper of love came to heart. I knew He was there. I knew in the big picture of things, this prescription refill was far from the pressing world events to ever take place. It was ever so tiny. But, our Father knew it was big for me. Interesting enough I had just read in Alma about the Nephites as they prepared to battle the Amlicites. With the number of Amlicites joining forces with the Lamanites, the numbers grew like “sands of the sea” to battle against them. But the Nephites held firm and went forward with confidence because they were prepared. Not only did they arm themselves with weapons in the physical sense, they were also armed with something much stronger. Faith and prayer. They called to God for their protection. For strength. For safety. (Read the full story here) Why shouldn’t I arm myself everyday in that same way? Later that same week, my Stake President shared an experience he witnessed that drove this fact home to me again. In a training meeting on how we can improve the sacredness of our Sabbath day, President Russell M. Nelson was about to go up to the pulpit to speak when he paused for a moment. It seemed as though something had come to his mind. As he approached the microphone, he turned to President Henry B. Eyring, and asked him if there was something he would like to say before they continued. Not planned, President Eyring shared a revelation he received just moments before (from memory...)The Lord was pleased with the efforts we are making to improve and keep our Sabbath day sacred. As we continue to try to be better, let us not forget to ask Him for help. He wants to help. Then I swear, in my mind, Pres. Eyring said, even those Quist people…he can help you get to church early too! Okay, maybe only in my dreams…or not?! ;)
The help line of prayer is open, now…if I could just remember to turn up those spiritual hearing aides! Try it. Just ask.
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