The Boogey-Man

While growing up, I would get riled up over some monster or other that I thought was in my closet or on my floor, and I imagine myself now as an adult, comforting that inner child that there's nothing to be afraid of.  Just because I can't see it, doesn't mean it's not safe.  It is safe, well... EXCEPT on the rare occasion that it's not safe.

Just how often is it not safe to be in our own bedrooms as a child growing up?  This is a real possibility meriting real concern, but do we want them to focus on that?  No.  As adults, we want to comfort them no matter what COULD happen, because

We needn't focus on the what-ifs!!!

The potential for harm is there, no matter how old we get, but God is up there, acting like a loving adult -a loving Father- willing us to rest from our worries, to bring our troubles to Him.  To be at peace and believe Him when he says it's ok.  He's not promising that we won't have trouble, or at least if He is, it's more of a promise that when trouble comes, He will be there to help us through it.

I was helping my own daughter with her night-worries, and I remembered how real it all was for me growing up.  I knew she needed more than just words.  She needed my hugs, she needed my continued presence.

I've needed hugs and the presence of a greater power.  I've been concerned about my own adult version of the boogie-man, as I believe many adults can point to something as their real and potential looming trial.  Some of us are even in the midst of battling demons and even though we cannot see them, they are there.  But does our Father want us to be afraid?  Does He not come to us to strengthen us and lift us up, just as we would for our own tender little children?

My favorite quote recently was from Elder F. Enzio Busche of the Seventy:
It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.

This is what the boogie man is all about.  It frightens us and brings to our attention all of the what-ifs until we are completely and utterly immobile.  But God is Bigger than that.  We can trust in Him.  He loves us so much more than we could possibly love and care for even our own sweet little ones.  If we hesitate, let it only be long enough to pray for more strength, or for clear guidance, but not long enough to doubt ourselves, or the faith that God has in us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jd4qnxj7D0

We have all been asked to do things that seem foolish in the eyes of men.  We are in the midst of a battle and we have been told we must be strong on the side of good.  This is certainly a time where men call evil good and good evil.

Our family has had to rely on the Lord so much more than before.  We have been specifically asked to do things that many would call foolish, even some of our friends.  God has sent his spirit to all of us to know what is our part in this battle.  Some of us are experiencing things very trying as we strive to accomplish what he specifically has in mind for us.

Due to an immense number of changes in our day to day family life, living arrangements, and expectations, I have been overwhelmed often and unable to contain my emotions.  I'm sure we've all been there.  A few times, I've wanted to enjoy something, but couldn't, for fear of, or in actuality, crying too much.  I know that The Lord wants me to be a useful servant, not just a blubbery one with such heightened emotions, so while I was about to have another problematic experience, I prayed very specifically for help containing those emotions that would hinder the spirit for others with whom I was sharing this time.

It came to my mind very clearly that my body needs to cry.  I remembered hearing that somewhere, so I checked it out.  I found some experts back in 1983 that described crying and the stress-relieving biochemical reaction that accompanies that.  I'm sure many of you have heard that crying can have a cathartic effect.

So I really wasn't supposed to feel ashamed that I needed to cry, however, I didn't want to be detracting from The Lord's work when the opportunity arose.  I felt strongly that the devil would be happy if I was ashamed from unwanted emotions during what could otherwise be spiritually uplifting moments.  A fundamental truth came to me and I want to share it with you here in the form of two scriptures.

Psalms 107:19

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.  

Alma 37:36

Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

I want to express that while I feel there are many appropriate times for crying in public,  I felt that mainly I was overwhelmed and caused to cry excessively at times that embarrassed me, and stopped the spirit from teaching me and even perhaps others around me.  I know, now, so much more than I knew before, that there can be a time set aside where I am meant to cry.  I know that I can and should have cathartic crying as I pour out my heart to my God every morning.  This has allowed me to feel the spirit, more, because my spirit yearns to commune, and when I have taken the time to do so in an appointed and appropriate place, my heart can hold so much more.

The Money Parable

This is a parable by Jared:

A man plans to go to a party honoring several people.  They've worked hard and will be awarded money.  His award is $100, and he's very excited.  He has plans for that money, since he hardly ever gets money.

His job is as a sprinkler maintenance man, and he goes just prior to when they are expected to start up at a particular park.  He surveys the park and waits for them to start.  They do, and he sees that they all look well in order, but then one area catches his eye.  It's sprayer is probably blocked.  Knowing it's on a timer and he will probably get a little wet when he fixes the problem, he ventures over in his rainboots and a parka.

He finds the sprayer and as soon as he unblocks it, it starts shooting again, however, before he gets very far walking back, he hears a yelp from behind a park bench, where he didn't see somebody had been sitting.  This man had some stacks of money, and one stack had fallen into the grass and was now getting wet.  As the man scrambled to pick up the wad, he looked up to see the sprinkler maintenance man, and recognized him!  Getting back to the wad, he found that it was soaked through.  This money would have to be separated and dried, now.

The sprinkler man doesn't suspect anything when he gets to the party later.  Not thinking anything would really be different, he sees the money-counting man from the park go up to give out the awards, but when he calls out sprinkler man's name, he hands him the wad of wet bills.  It has dried now but it was not separated.  It is obvious that any attempt to do so would rip the bills.

Would this be fair to the sprinkler man?