Tuesday, November 17, 2015

What do you look forward to every week?


I wake up with a smile on my face, because today is one of the only days I wake up with my husband by my side. I reach over and entwine my fingers with his. His breath is still even, sleeping in being a luxury beyond price. I don't wake him up, just enjoy the undisturbed moment of peace. His face is relaxed, and a day's stubble makes his face scratchy. The red of his beard makes him look more European. If it wasn't for his curly, sandy blond hair, you'd guess he was of Irish, instead of German descent.

A small smile pulls at his lips as he begins to wake up. He rolls towards me and wraps a strong arm around my waist. I take a deep breath, the smell of his deodorant and shower gel, masculine. He is the epitome of man, with thick muscles and broad chest. But the part of him that I love most, is his heart of gold.

Our son throws our door open, shattering the calm. It crashes against the wall stopper.

"Daddy?" He gets just as excited as I do for our Sunday mornings.

"Come here," I whisper.

Hesston crawls between us, nestling into our chests. He closes his eyes, and smiles, finishing with a sigh.

The movement of Hesston has woken Ted, his blue eyes open.

I forget how blue they are, like a clear, noonday sky. They warm as he realizes who is encircled in his arms.

"Love." Ted murmurs into Hesston's hair.

Hesston murmurs back and cuddles deeper. When Hesston opens his eyes, I see Ted in them, the same blue, with a sweet innocence that can't be replicated.

By the time I get ready and enter the church's chapel, I'm physically prepared to be spiritually fed. It's the moment I look forward to every week. I know that if I just make it through the days, that pretty soon, Sunday will roll around, and I will get to spend some quality time with my family and friends, refilling my spiritual cup through the testimony of others, and the teachings of the prophets and apostles. It's a knowledge of surety in the midst of uncertainty. It's a place I can find refuge from the worldly storms. And the peace I find there, is as unreplicateable as the pattern in Hesston's eyes.

The day will be a flurry of activity, with meetings, and classes, and people to see. But amid all the busyness, there is a respite of spirit. A quiet assurance that I'm in the right place at the right time. And the peace that fills my heart, brings gladness into my life.

For three hours, I am surrounded by profound teachings, made simple enough that even a three year old can understand. The gospel is as simple or complicated as you make it. For me, it's just what I need. The teacher's present Christ's teachings, and I feel the spirit testify of it's truth. Knowledge like that is priceless. And it's something I yearn for. My cup will never be full enough. I will always thirst for more spiritual knowledge, because it is a never ending well, deep enough to quench the thirst of all souls.

I pray for spiritual guidance when I teach. To be able to reach the people in my class, and help them better understand the love Heavenly Father has for them. It's a task accomplished with the Savior by my side. I could never teach without Him, for He is the answer to all of life's questions.

By the time I return home, a new kind of peace has settled over the house. One that is different than the peace in the morning. It's a peace of the soul. And just as the gospel is a refuge from the storm, my house becomes a refuge from every day life. A place where I can rest from my labors and remember what is truly important.

I can tell by the look on my loved one's faces, that they too feel the peace in their hearts. It's something I cherish. And I look forward to seeing those precious faces each and every day for the rest of eternity. This is our loving Heavenly Father's plan.

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