Spiritually Defining Moments

Last week for ‘Come follow Me’ I enjoyed the collection of “Hear Him” videos because they reminded me of times where the Lord has spoken to me personally through his Spirit.  Normally, this has occurred in small seemingly ordinary moments, yet I knew that God knew that I knew that the message was from Him.  These sacred times have given me assurance that God knows me individually and loves me. I have been able to use these defining moments to build personal foundational bridges of faith that help me to continue to move forward in life as I face so much that is still unknown.

There have been several moments of inspiration that have come to me as I have tried to overcome the little annoyances of life such as a lost set of car keys or when I have been able to help a friend just at the right moment. However, there have been other occasions when God has spoken to me in a dramatic way such as one summer day when our young family was living in Chicago.  

Our apartment was on the second floor of a 6-flat building, and I was home alone with our two very young children. Megan was three and Stephen was just over a year.  The kids were playing in the front room adjacent to the kitchen where I was working at the sink.  On the other side of me was a door that led outside to a small back porch and stairs that lead up and down the building. Somehow Stephen had toddled behind me and out the door without me noticing.  I suddenly heard a voice of warning inside my head that Stephen was in great danger, and I instantly ran to the front room and then back to the porch which was only a few feet away from where I was working.  There I found him precariously standing on the edge of the long wooden staircase leading directly to the cement patio a story and a half below.  I was able to quickly grab him before anything happened, but I knew that had I hesitated, there would have been a potentially fatal fall. Thankfully, that is how the story ended as I nearly fainted with relief when I realized how close he came to falling.  Gratitude overwhelmed me and I quickly knelt and thanked my Heavenly Father for his voice of warning when I needed it.

Situations such as this are not easily forgotten, however the other little day-to-day blessings are often brushed aside as good luck.  I have learned over the years that when I intentionally take the time to express gratitude to my Heavenly Father in prayer for even the little things, they have multiplied.  These happy spots of inspiration and guidance continue to feed my faith and build my foundation of trust with my Heavenly Father.

Scriptures and other resources:

Moroni 7:29 - 30

29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased?  Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.

30 For behold they are subject unto him, to minister according to the world of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.

Hear Him videos

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/collection/hear-him?lang=eng

Spiritually defining Memories - April 2020 General Conference: Neil L. Anderson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/15andersen?lang=eng