Sunday, September 04, 2011

Sunday thoughts

Recently a member of our stake presidency (also a member of our ward) came in to talk with us in Young Women's.

He spoke of the tender feelings of his heart – his grandson had died just a day or two prior to his visit. This little boy was born prematurely, had many health problems, and had spent most of his short life in Primary Children's Hospital. As he related to us the details of his grandson's last day on earth, he could barely speak for the tears that were falling. I'm sure all of us felt heartbroken as well as we imagined those poor parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and everyone else who loved little Johnny.

He told us that he had been called upon to give many Priesthood blessings in the preceding days and weeks, and that each time he did, he felt the adversary trying to overwhelm him. In fact, he felt like Satan was out to get him, really bearing down on him as he tried to do what was right.

This became very difficult to endure, and ultimately he felt the need to say aloud: "I choose Jesus Christ," at which point he could physically feel the adversary retreating.

I was so struck by his words, and have been thinking about them ever since. How powerful it is when we choose the Savior and His way!

What if my children and all of our youth could catch the vision of being empowered by choosing Jesus Christ? What if I could remember this on an hour-by-hour basis? It would change everything. Temptations would be easier to withstand; judgment would disappear; others would become more important to me than myself; love and peace would fill my heart.

I am notoriously forgetful, but this something worth remembering, so I will give it my best effort.

I want to choose Jesus Christ today and every day.

7 comments:

brooke said...

I have never commented on your blog but I read it a lot...I am Jill's friend!

But I love this post so much and want to remember this story too. I love how he said "I choose Jesus Christ" out loud. That is so worth remembering.

I always love your Sunday recaps.

Unknown said...

I love this. I have found myself speaking out loud before too, Just like this.

So much power in words!

Jill said...

This story gives me the chills! The context of this incident is so interesting...Little Johnny must have been someone very important!!

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

In the words of Robert Frost, "And that has made all the difference."

Thank you for the retelling of the lesson and the conviction you have behind it. You're so right, that one choice has the power to make all the difference.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing such a tender and important challenge. I want to use this in my very next YW lesson!

I love it that you want to do this. I want to choose the Savior every day too. I will.

Denise said...

I spent about an hour on the phone with your mom tonight catching up and right after we hung up she called me back to tell me something important she had forgotten to mention: "Be sure to read Michelle's Sunday post!"

I'm so glad she did. This is empowering. I choose Jesus Christ, too.

Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience.

patsy said...

I don't know what my problem is? I am shocked that I haven't commented more- so sorry. This is such a beautiful post & I should've said so OVER A WEEK AGO~!

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