Systems and Order

I had an epiphany (aka a revelation) the other day. I was standing at one of the folding machines at work and thinking about the process I go through at each machine so that I can get it to run as fast as possible and still be doing the work correctly. I realized that as long as you come up with a system or routine and stick to it, you can keep up with the machine. Then the revelation came as I realized there is a system for everything in this life. I started to think about what the leaders of a leadership development organization I worked with a few years ago would say: that you just need to plug into the system and you would be successful. As I pondered this, my mind was flooded with all these different ways that "systems" applied to the world around me.

In science there are systems: the solar system, the water cycle, the rock cycle, weather patterns, chemical bonding, laws that govern physics, etc. There is an order to all of it that seems natural. I know this order comes from God and he has established order in all things. There are systems for happiness and misery in life; systems for business success; systems for creating unity; computer systems, game systems, and plumbing systems. The system(s) that interested me most out of all that I thought of were the ones for successful living in this life. God has given us a specific order or system that will lead us back to live with him and all we have to do is step into that system and become what he wants us to become and we will have accomplished what he sent us here to do. I testify that He put in order all the systems here for our success. When you discover the system, jump into it with both feet, swallow your pride and make whatever changes are necessary and I promise you it will be worth it!! I love you and Heavenly Father loves you more!

God Knows Each Of Us Very Personally

I had the chance tonight to give a priesthood blessing to my neighbor and it was a reassurance of my faith in God. He has had some health issues and just needs some comfort now and then. In the blessing the Spirit prompted me to speak to my neighbor about the atonement of Jesus Christ and remind him that it covers all of our earthly pains as well as our sins and that Jesus felt them so that he could know how to succor us. After I finished, I was talking with him and he said that earlier today he had read an article in the church magazine for this month about the atonement and that it gave him great comfort today.

Experiences like this really strengthen my testimony of God's love for us because I had no idea that my neighbor had read about that at all today or that he was feeling comfort through the atonement somewhat already today. But God knows us so well that he knows what we need each step of the way and will watch over us even though it may not seem like it sometimes (or sometimes, more often than not).

Have you noticed that there are times when it seems like he has a very specific message for you because it seems like every time you turn around, people close to you are talking about the same thing as people you respect and perfect strangers somehow address the same idea or issue with you all around the same time? It's pretty amazing!

New Direction...

I've decided to take a little bit different direction with this blog. I posted a status on Facebook this morning that got reactions more than I had expected so I am going to start recording my notes from my studies of the scriptures each day and share the post link on G+ and FB as well as a tidbit or highlight from my studies. I hope that in some small way I can help bring the Spirit of God into your life. He will help you make it through any trials you may be facing. He will strengthen any faith you may already have. I know God is our father and that gives me hope and confidence far beyond anything anyone else could offer! I hope you will stick with me and any suggestions you have will be welcomed and considered. I love you and I hope I can share God's love with you, too, because I know he loves you.