Monday, February 4, 2013

Aren't We All Beggars?


I've got to admit that I just have too many plates spinning to really blog today.  With a new baby and a house to move in a few weeks, and a car in the shop...we are living out of boxes, and trying to make do. 

Still I can't pass up an opportunity to say that the Lord has really helped me out during the last week.

It's interesting how alive one feels when we are really high or really low or really worried or really in need of assistance.  And what a difference the tone of our prayers take on when we are in these situations.

Last week, I was praying for Heavenly Father to help me out with something.  It was an urgent prayer.  It was a forceful prayer that then turned into a "Please, please, please, please, I'll do anything" prayer.

As I pondered my situation, the words of this scripture came into my mind, "For behold, are we not all beggars?  Do we not all depend on the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"

Touche, I thought.  I too am a beggar.

Of course, what I was praying for was not riches, but it might well have been, because that was how much I cared about the outcome.

I continued to pray throughout the afternoon and petitioned the Lord to grant my desire.

I look up the scripture above and continued to read a verse prior to it, "And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish."

I thought, "Message received."  And I earnestly promised to do a better job of giving to others in need...out of our abundance.

Shortly after that, my prayer was answered...and in a good way.  I was so happy and so relieved and so thankful.

I wanted to be sure to thank the Lord with prayers of the same urgency as I did while asking for his help, but try as I might I wasn't able to find the right words.

Then the spirit brought back my own words to me.  "If you desire more spiritual knowledge, write it down."  I had been telling my girls in Young Women's this during our last two lessons...that they can receive further inspiration as they write in their journals.

Having little time, I grabbed my journal and jotted down the impressions that I felt.  Then I glanced back at my computer screen which contained the verses of scripture that I had been reading.  

It said, "And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins.  And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain?  Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.

"And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives, and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another."

I realized then, that the "substance" that the Lord was asking me to impart was forgiveness of others.    That was the message that I was to hear loud and clear.  A message that I might not have fully comprehended had I not written it down.

I am thankful for this experience, and as I round out writing this my 999th blog post, I am thankful for the many times over the last four and a half years that writing and pondering have brought me awareness of the truth that God has waiting for me.

12 comments:

  1. That scripture about us all being beggars is my VERY favorite!

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  2. Sweet Jocelyn, just sweet!! Good luck with all your packing and moving....I hate that part!

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  3. Writing such impressions down always bring me greater clarity, too. No wonder we are asked to journal!

    =)

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  4. writing is a blessing in my life too...

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  5. Lovely thoughts and I like to journal so this was a good one for me. Prayers do take on a different meaning depending on what we think are our needs. It's aligning our will to God's that is sometimes difficult. I do know what it feels like to send forth mighty prayers.
    Blessings for this one!

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  6. I seldom log on to my Blog but the title caught my eye. Thank you so much. Though I have sufficient for my needs and there never seems much I can give to those in my area. It seems sometimes I'd go out of my way not for recognition but because it has to get done. Oddly enough it feels like because I don't seem to be in an elitist club where I'm at my service isn't welcome. Knowing full well if it was someone else it would be all milk n cookies. I seriously need a cloaking device with some people. I don't believe these people intentionally try to be mean. Honestly I don't think they're aware that they do this. Though I know their siblings they're just grateful for anything even if they are well to do. I mention this because I applaud you for having the attitude wanting to lift those around you no matter what you're circumstances. What I love about the Gospel is that there is no cliche groups, fan clubs and isolation. I know that we fall short from time to time and that is the need for Forgiveness of others and ourselves. I'm grateful for whatever knowledge and strength the Lord has given me and though it's not much maybe I'm being taught what it's like for Christ to give and have those reject that very gift they seek or are given as an extra. I admit I love giving and I do sometimes have a hard time asking for what I need. Probably cause I feel it's my own dumb fault and I should fix it. I've been given much I guess I feel like saying Lord I'm sure you're aware I don't deserve this. I see him smiling and saying "Yeah but you need it so here." So even when we're not asking we're also beggars insomuch that we should not be above receiving. I know for me the most annoying thing anyone can say is "You didn't have to do that!" Oh this is too much! " and you get the gist. Anyways maybe I'll get around to starting my blog instead of taking up space on yours :) PS Thank you for all you do for the Youth. I love teaching my YM and more importantly being taught by them. Good Vibes!!! X-L 2 what U can B!!

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  7. Thank you for sharing your sweet experience. Sometimes, I wonder how much to share on the internet, and so, I just wanted to say thank you for making that decision.

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  8. Thank you for sharing this experience. Often, I'm prompted to do a similar thing -write it down, journal, etc. And, when I follow such a prompting, often, like you, I'm given a greater understanding of what the Lord is trying to teach me.

    It seems like when I write, in order to take a message from my brain to my hand it has to pass through my heart.

    Well...thanks again. And cute baby!
    -catania

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  9. Thank you for your post today, it was exactly what I needed at this very moment! Just finished saying a prayer and reading scriptures in search of some answers and decided to see what you had going on your blog today and it was just what I needed, so glad you took time to step away from all the business to write this post. I'm off to write some things down!

    Sista Laurel

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  10. Thank you for sharing your sweet experience!

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  11. Beautiful post! It's good to write thing down then you can go back to it later for assurance! Blessings and nice blog! :)

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  12. This is truly beautiful! I have admired your ability to take a moment to share your experiences in the midst of mothering in a very busy season of our lives. You're wonderful! Thank you!

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