Sabbath

Daylight savings time started today!! It means spring really is around the corner and more daylight is appreciated. It seems to help everything. I was able to sleep in today, something I don't often do. Then I enjoyed Stake Conference and with these two meetings I do feel renewed.

Our State President reminded us of the story of Elijah in I Kings:17 (KJV)

10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.

17 ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.

18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.

20 And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.

22 And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

24 ¶ And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.

President Hanks reminded us that it must have been difficult for Elijah to ask this of the woman in her state of devastation, but it was required that she give service first; then she was greatly blessed for her faith and sacrifice. He advised us to do the same. He asked us to increase our fast in order to help others and if we have none and even the last drops of oil are gone, we should give service. By doing so, we will be blessed in these difficult economic times. Staying strong and faithful will reap blessings. He challenged us to increase our offerings - giving to those in need, doing service, growing produce in our gardens, volunteering at canneries that supply the Bishop's Storehouses, which since January have noticed a 70% increase in demand. We are charged with caring for one another, and this is the way we do it in the Church.

We also must do all we can to prepare ourselves so we will be able to help our families and others in need. Welfare services in the Church encompass many aspects of preparedness including employment, counseling, temporal needs such as food, clothing and shelter. We are also counseled to get out and stay out of debt. I can attest that following this counsel brings freedom. providentliving.org

It is difficult to care for each other sometimes and it is not always comfortable to share our blessings but I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns. Music solidifies and testifies truth to me:

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live,
I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,
I cannot see another's lack and I not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread
My roof's safe shelter over head,
That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,
I'll share thy love again according to thy word,
I shall give love to those in needs;
I'll show that love by word and deed:
Thus shall muy thanks be thanks indeed.
(Grace Noll Crowell, Hymns, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints # 219)