Hi guys, I was talking to Heather about an experience I've been having ever since I started teaching Seminary and she encouraged me to share it on the family blog. It's hard for me to put this into words since it can sound like such a trivial thing, but for me this is a real, obvious miracle.
So you guys know me, you know I've never been a morning person, and getting up early has always been a big struggle for me. I had the opportunity to substitute for Seminary the week before I was officially called, and every morning was a huge struggle for me to wake up that early. I was grateful for the opportunity to serve, but it seriously felt like a huge sacrifice, and every day after teaching that first week I just felt so worn down all day that it was hard to not dread the next morning, even though I was making an effort to go to bed early to make sure I got plenty of sleep.
After I was officially set apart, I've noticed something very clear and very remarkable. When my alarm goes off a little after 5am in the morning, the moment I turn off my alarm I immediately feel a surge of energy entering my body. It's hard to describe, it feels like the Spirit is just pouring light and energy into me. Again, I hesitate to talk about this since it's just so hard to describe, and can just seem like a small thing. But it is not. This is a very real, very conspicuous miracle that the Lord is working in my life.
The other night I had to work late, there was no way around it, and I didn't get to bed until almost 2 am. I was dreading how I would feel after only a few hours of sleep, my heart hurt just thinking about it. When my alarm went off, that same warm, sweet feeling came over me, and I was able to immediately get out of bed and start my day. I can't tell you how incredible this felt. I wasn't groggy, I was alert, my mind and body felt invigorated. All morning during class and on the drive home I couldn't wait to tell Heather all about how my morning went.
The moment I walked into our house it hit me. I felt that extra power quickly leave me and I felt the exhaustion that I should have been feeling all along come rushing back. In that moment I knew that it was a very real tender mercy of the Lord to equip His servant with what I needed in order to perform the work I was called to do for Him. It's so humbling to see this miracle so clearly at work in my life. I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for such wonderful parents who have taught us from our youth to rely on the Lord in all our trials. I testify to all of you with all the love in my heart that this gospel is true, and that the Lord has all power to work many real mighty miracles in our lives as we sincerely seek to serve Him.
I love you all, and can't wait to see you guys at the reunion!
6 comments :
Thank you for sharing, David. It does not seem trivial but amazing how much the Lord loves and blesses his children. Beth has a hard time sleeping and waking up although she has maintained the same schedule all the other children have, she has struggled since a baby. Our bodies and the things we are blessed or not blessed with are different but the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge of a loving Father is the same.
This brought tears to my eyes. Just yesterday I said to dad (and I don't even know what we were talking about), David is certainly showing the Lord his devotion teaching seminary. I said, "I bet he's a good teacher, but he's always been a night owl and for him to get up early is showing how he loves the Lord." And then this morning you post this! Please know Dad and I pray for each one of you by name every morning. I'm so glad Heather suggested you write this. We love you.
This is a horrible April Fools Joke...
Seriously though, thank you for sharing!! It is so true that the Lord enables us to serve, and by allowing us (as imperfect as we are) to share in His work, He gives us little glimpses into what He can do when we just "move our feet" and take the steps we know we need to take so He can then bless us with the rest.
Peter and I were shocked when you mentioned you were teaching seminary-- I always blame my inability to wake up early on the fact that I wanted to be like my cool older brothers and sleep in. And now I don't know how NOT to sleep in and stay up late-- struggled with it my whole mission, even. But this is truly inspirational! Thank you, David!!
I know just how you feel! I know that the Lord helps us with our callings. When I was called as Primary President the week that Jacob had his surgery and also the same week that I started my second semester in college, I knew that I would REALLY need the Lord to do it all. There were times when I would just pray, "You promised to help." and I've recognized more miracles in my life during these last few months than in any other time in my life.
It is just such an amazing experience to be able to see an exact miracle that lets us know the Lord knows us, loves us, and knows what we need.
The talk by Elder Eyring in the last General Conference has really explained to me exactly why the Lord calls us to certain callings even when we don't think we can do it. He said, "While serving others, we are most likely to plead for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Success in the Lord’s service always produces miracles beyond our own powers."
Thank you so much for sharing!
This was awesome David! Seriously thank you for sharing your testimony with us. I read it out loud to Heather and got choked up hearing my awesome older brother's miracle. Love you
David's post, followed by all the comments from his siblings and Sister-in-Law, is what a father lives for. I love you all. Dad
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