So, speaking of moving our feet, a month ago my husband fell and hurt his leg while skiing. At the Urgentcare they took a couple of x-rays. I was amazed as I sat and listened to the Dr.
"His leg is broken," he said, "but that's not a big deal. He also has some minor acclusions or chips in his ankle, also not a big deal. His ligament is torn from the ankle up to the break. This is actually what caused the break. It will heal. What is a big deal and what really concerns us is this gap in his ankle joint. What should be less than 4 mm is actually about a 6.5 mm gap. That gap is why he is going to need surgery to pin his ankle joint together. The surgery is, of course, elective, but without it he will have long-term ankle stability and early onset arthritis.
And here we are, three weeks out from said ankle surgery. Our life has been a bit turned upside down, as he has been non-weight bearing and unable to drive all this time. All because of a 2 mm gap. The broken bone and torn ligament will heal. No concern there, but the ankle joint that is used day in and day out, unless anchored in that right place, will cause lifelong problems. Small things matter, sisters.
Spiritually speaking, what small things matter? And why do they matter? What are these small things? I pray that the Spirit will be with us today as you ponder these questions.
Let's start with the direction we want to be heading. Before the cruicifixion Jesus gathered his disciples. He was telling them that soon he wouldn't be with them. They didn't fully understand what was coming and were asking him and trying to understand what he needed from them. He then explains in John 14:15, "If ye love me keep my commandments." He then explains more, "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."
Fast forward to modern day and we have President Nelson's words. The first counsel that he gave us as President of the church was to "Keep on the covenant path."
Sisters, I feel safe in saying that we are all here today because we want to keep on the covenant path. But many of us are probably asking how. How can I find the time that I want to give to this? How can I get my teenagers on board? How do I do it without a supportive husband? How do I do it when I don't feel well?
What has been on my mind as I have gathered my thoughts is the simplicity of what is being asked. And yet, what great things are promised if we can do as we are asked. As we have been studying the New Testament and the miracles that Jesus has performed, I have been struck by the simplicity of those miracles. The results were not simple, but the process was.
- The woman with an issue of blood. She touched his robe. That's all. That combined with her faith that he could heal her, cured her of an illness that had been plaguing her for more than a decade.
- The man with palsy he commanded to arise and walk. "And he arose."
- A nobleman from Capernaum traveled to Jesus to plead with him to heal his son. Jesus told him to "go thy way, thy son liveth."
- With Jarius's daughter he was told, "My daughter is even now dead, but come lay thy hand upon her and she shall live." Lay thy hand upon her.
- Christ's first miracle of his ministry was changing water into wine. The hosts had run out of wine before the feast was over. After an exchange with Jesus, Mary tells the servants, "whatsoever he sayeth unto you, do it." And what does he ask? Fill these water pots.
In October conference President Nelson gave us women specific guidance and counsel. What were the four invitations? (social media, read the Book of Mormon, attend the temple, participate fully in Relief Society) What blessings have you seen as you have strived to follow the Prophets challenge? Has it always been easy?
When I asked this question a sister commented that she has started to go to the temple each week while her son is in preschool. She is a single mom. She said she never would have imagined that she could fit a weekly visit to the temple in to her busy schedule, but they have managed and she looks forward to it each week. What a beautiful miracle. Another shared that as she has studied the scriptures more and more she has found that she is understanding things more than she ever has before. She is noticing the whisperings of the spirit more.
These miracles and blessings you have shared, and the miracles we have studied in the New Testament are examples to me of Jesus asking for our faith and our obedience, in whatever amount, and he will meet us there with miracles and blessings. Whereever we are at in our journey, whether we are crumpled up on a road barely even able to reach out a hand or well and able and willing to go on a three days journey to find him, he will meet us there.
In Matthew 11:28-30 Christ says to the multitude, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." I think it is significant to point out that he is asking us to take HIS yoke upon us. President Bednar says, "Making and keeping covenants yokes us to and with the Savior Jesus Christ." A yoke implies work, right? There is a load to carry with that yoke, but there are blessings that come from taking on that work. We have the promise of the Atonement of Jesus Christ when we submit to our Heavenly Father's will.
When President Nelson made plea with us to "Keep on the covenant path," he also included an incredible blessing, "Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual privilege and blessing available to men, women, and children everywhere.”
I love this blessing. I love this promise. When I feel discouraged and wonder how I can do this my thought quickly changes to, "How can I afford not to?" So I keep taking those small steps and sometimes I don't get it quite right. Like my poor husband and his injured leg, sometimes we have to correct ourselves. Sometimes we are forced to slow down and redirect. How grateful I am that we have been promised that that is okay.
I'll end with a quote from President Ballard.
"When we decide to do “whatsoever [God] saith unto” us, we earnestly commit to align our everyday behavior with God’s will. Such simple acts of faith as studying the scriptures daily, fasting regularly, and praying with real intent deepen our well of spiritual capacity to meet the demands of mortality. Over time, simple habits of belief lead to miraculous results. They transform our faith from a seedling into a dynamic power for good in our lives. Then, when challenges come our way, our rootedness in Christ provides steadfastness for our souls. God shores up our weaknesses, increases our joys, and causes “all things [to] work together for [our] good." M. Russell Ballard
