Thoughts of my Heart...

Have you ever had an experience where your spirit connects with another?

I've felt it before. It can happen at times when there is a moment of deep understanding between two people, sincere sympathy, or empathy. Maybe you've known the person a long time. Maybe you've recently met. The end result, for me anyway, always leaves a profound love for the other with whom I shared the experience.

I had one of these tender experiences recently. Our exchange was less than a minute. But his spirit left an impression on mine that I will not soon forget.

His eyes were soft and sincere, a stark contrast to his haggard appearance. The lines in his forehead showed a lifetime of hard work and concern, especially where his brows must often have been furrowed in worry. His clothes were old. His stance was tired. He held a sign in the snow asking for help.

Normally, I try to smile and wave. Be friendly. Lift a spirit. I've always been taught and scolded to give to the shelters not to the people. We passed him the first time when the snow was just starting. When we passed him the second time the snow had fallen several hours. He hadn't moved and covered in white.

We turned around. We had to.

My sister ran over to him with some Christmas peppermints and a generous gift from my mother. Something deeper in me needed to know that he was okay. So we pulled around. I asked him if he was alright. He nodded. He had seen my mother's gift and there were tears in his eyes. There were tears in mine.  I told him to find a hot dinner and a warm place to stay. He thanked us again and again. His eyes were so soft and sincere. He turned and limped to his cart, his home. I cried. His tender limp made me think of my own grandfather.

It was such a short exchange... but I will always remember his soft and sincere eyes.

Current Study: Angels

I can't stop thinking about them: the angels in my life.

I love Elder Holland's description of Adam and Eve's experience of stepping into mortality:

"They knew this telestial world would contain thorns and thistles and troubles of every kind... [And] God knew the challenges they would face, He certainly knew how lonely and troubled they would sometimes feel. So He watched over His mortal family constantly, heard their prayers always, and sent prophets to teach, counsel, and guide them. But in times of special need, He sent angels, divine messengers, to bless His children, reassure them that heaven was always very close and that His help was always very near."

I can't seem to get that out of my mind. Elder Holland continues, "Seen or unseen they are always near."

They are always near. My heart is full of gratitude for the many tender mercies I've received when I haven't been left "lonely and troubled." I have been sustained by angels, seen and unseen.

"Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

It blows my mind the many MANY times a friendly hug, a sincere greeting, a look of concern, a check-up call, a small note, words of encouragement, a quick email, a simple act of kindness, a long talk, an expression of love and hope, or just a simple post on this blog has been a tool of the Lord, and the giver-an angel. I don't have words to express the deep gratitude for the divine help I've received from both sides of the veil.

I add my own witness to Elder Holland's, "I testify of angels, both the heavenly and mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face." I know now I can face challenges to come, both global and personal, both great and small. And even I can act as an emissary for another in need.

"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left... my Spirit shall be [with you], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88