Stripling Warriors' Mom: Amazing what happens when I put the Lord First

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Sharpening the Proverbial Saw

I attended the six o'clock a.m. endowment session this morning before reporting to Tracie & Jared's to take care of Mady and Luke today. I had planned to go when Tracie called me in a panic to find a sitter for her two little ones.

Grandma could not say no, so I put my schedule to include my commitment to do a session beside keep intentions. I worked it out to go early before going to Tracie's. It felt good to be out and about and felt like I had a good day with the kids. They were very well behaved and felt like I had a tender mercy with the kids.

Mady stayed home from school and had a good long nap; Luke did the same, at different times than his sister. But, I got a short nap besides with making my day start so early I needed it. We even took a ride down to Provo to run an errand and they loved it too.

I noticed how smoothly my day went. The only thing I did different was put the Lord first, and He took care of the rest of my day. What a tender mercy/blessing. It was as if I was sharpening an invisible saw, that made my day go perfectly well.

I noticed that promptings of the Spirit would come unrestrained, which gave me uplifting moments in my conversations today.

Power to Act in God's Name

I believe and know very strongly that, " A man, young or old never stands taller than when he is doing his priesthood duties or responsibilities. Be it station as a Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Elder, High Priest, Home teacher, priesthood holder husband, father, son or grandfather, Bishop, or Prophet of God. He has a mantle about him that emanates and gives him the authority to act in God's name, and uses it in righteousness. It is a blessing to him and his family. To this I know that he raises the bar in doing his duty to God and his fellow man.”

" I stand in awe of the goodness that pervades within that soul who honors and lives up to his priesthood calling with a pure heart. It is evident to me and cannot be hidden. I believe that quality shines in their countenances and His image is radiated in their face's.

Insights by Anna 11.22.09

Touch of The Master's Hand

And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
" It was battered and scarred,
Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

Myra Brooks Welch