Sunday, April 19, 2009

Spiritual Sunday


What do you get when you mix a UFC fighting match on TV, a crowd of testosterone filled men, and alcohol?






This.....

The.End.




Okay, not really, and certainly not my spiritual thought for the day, but I can bear my testimony of the fact that when you mix a bunch of beer influenced young men with an UFC fighting match on in the background. Someone.is.going.to.get.hurt.
Just saying........

Yes, that is my oldest son C. Yes, he is fine. Nothing broken, no disc damage, just a severely jammed neck and muscle spasms.

I did get a spiritual thought from our 3 hours in the ER. As soon as I dropped Sissy off to Splenda at the church while he was setting up chairs, I could see a shadow briefly cross his face and I knew he was thinking, "Me and the hour and 10 minute wrestle SOLO?" But, what to do?

I toddled C over to the ER while he moaned and groaned in pain with every little bump I happened to hit in the road. I should have grabbed my scriptures or my 3 conference editions of the Ensign that I am sorely behind on, but didn't think that far ahead. Instead, once they gave him his morphine shot and he was out, I was forced to read whatever outdated magazines the hospital happened to have in the exam room. After reading about parenting, which confirmed that I sucked, I stumbled upon a small little magazine that was titled Guideposts. It was filled with real life uplifting stories of people with their challenges. One story touched me deeply and the man writing it shared a very profound thought. Well, for me anyway.

The story was about his wife's battle with depression for the 60 years they have been married. Not only the battle she faced, but he as well, as her husband, having to watch and deal with her. He related how his boss one day called in him to talk about his challenges. She said to him, "Think about the difference between thankfulness and praise. Thankfulness is us-centered; when things work out the way we want, we're thankful. Praise is God -centered; praise means becoming aware of God in your life right now.......Praise is the beginning of healing."
I love that thought. I pondered on it for several minutes. Then the intercom came on in the exam room informing us that the LDS Elders were there with the sacrament if anyone wanted to partake. I headed to the conference room and was met by three very elderly gentlemen. One was shaking so bad with palsy, that I feared he would fall right over. They introduced themselves, and since I was the only one there, proceeded.

Can I tell you how humbling it is to watch a very old man, gingerly get on his knees and pray? How seeing another very aged man shake with palsy yet manage to hold a hymn book and read a verse? And to watch the third man struggle to get himself down on one knee to offer the prayer on the water. Can I tell you that the Spirit is the same whether you are in your home ward, or a small conference room in a hospital. The sacrament ordinance is the same, and with my thoughts leaning towards praise more than thankfulness at those moments, it was particularly meaningful.

I made it back to church in time to pick up Sissy from nursery and greet a few of my ward family members. Splenda survived the Sacrament mtg wrestle match, and luckily in his case, versus C's, no one got hurt.

14 comments:

Shauna said...

Praying for you all and l♥ve and miss you lots! ♥ HUGS ♥

Kristina P. said...

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad he's OK!

Becca said...

What a great moment and a great reminder. When I worked in Young Women's I gained a testimony that the small and simple things are what touch our lives the most. Sometimes (OK most of the time) 5 good minutes make more of a difference than 50. I love tender mercies like the one you described and I'm glad that moment found you!

Just SO said...

I hope that he gets over the soreness from this! It looks painful. I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious.

And even though I know that it's good to have the priests and teachers and deacons administer the sacrament, one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had was when it was administered by the Stake presidencies and the bishops of a couple of combined Stakes YW's at girls camp. It was amazing.

Sherrie Shepherd Piano Music said...

What a great thing to see, and to be able to find a postive thing out of a negative experience.
I hope and pray your son heals well and fast.
C watched the UFC fight at a buddie's house that night, too!

tammy said...

Great thoughts there. And sometimes I think taking the sacrament in other places like that, only emphasizes it's importance. I remember right after my sister's husband was killed, and I flew to KY to be with her, the elders came and brought the sacrament to us. I was so so grateful at that moment for the atonement and being able to take the sacrament. I should probably blog about that.

Anyway, glad C's going to be okay. Ouch.

Devri said...

what a great post, and I am glad that he is ok..scary. Have a wonderful day woman!

Omgirl said...

I'm glad your son is alright. That is a scary looking picture with that collar on!

And that is a great message about praise. I think that is the same concept behind faith, particularly when answering prayers. When we have us-centered faith, wewant God to answer our prayers the way WE want. But when we have true faith, it means bringing our will around to His will and accepting His will for us. Then praying for strength and acceptance when His will is different from ours.

veronica said...

Yikes! I'm glad he's okay.

Erin said...

That's scary for your son. But I'm glad you were able to take the sacrament and even get a spiritual lesson or two!

kado! said...

1st off...I'm glad your son is ok...that is scary...That's Boys Huh! I'm sure that same senerio is in my future too! =)

2nd...what a great message in that little magazine you read...i love that! Makes much sense!

3rd...I hope ou are ok after that crazy day! ♥ You!

Sue said...

I'd say you had a very Spiritual Sunday!!

Your son is going to be o.k.

You were aware of being thankful and giving praise to our H. Father

Partaking of the Sacrament and the spirit can be experienced many places even in the Hospital.

Trevor, Brianna, Alivia, Tayvree, and Avynlee Hansen said...

wow i am glad c is okay! and thanks for sharing the praise/sacrament story cuz that is really really really neat and i needed to hear it :) love ya

tiburon said...

Corbin needs a spanking.

On.his.crotch.