Spicy Boy

Just when I thought I had a kid figured out, he goes and does something amazing. Today at church, my 8-year-old daughter was supposed to read a verse of scripture to the children's group (called Primary). She was all ready to go--she even picked it out herself. I got in the room just in time to see her stand up to the podium. All of a sudden, she burst into tears and could.not.go.on! (insert very dramatic crocodile tears here--more on this little redhead at a later date). I was watching from the back of the room, so I naturally stood up to go to the front and help her. Instead, I sat back down and watched a miracle unfold.

Her older brother--you know, the aforementioned 10-year-old, spicy one--immediately jumped out of his seat, shuffled past the kids in his row and came to his sister's rescue. He put a reassuring arm around her shoulders and whispered to her, trying to get her to compose herself and move on. It was just beautiful.

This is the same kid who, just a year or so ago, would cry and howl at the mere thought of standing up in front of a group of people and speaking. He is the same kid with an alphabet soup full of acronyms and medical problems that have contributed to very difficult behavior and lots of questions about "what is going on at home".

This, my friends, is why and how I know God loves us, knows us personally and speaks to us. Through the Holy Spirit, He whispers to our souls what is true, as well as what we should do, and it's up to us to act on those promptings. This son of mine is especially sensitive to the Spirit, which calms him and completely transforms him into a very different person. I understand just a smidge what it means when Alma asks if we have "received His image in [our] countenances." (Click to read the whole chapter. It is my very favorite passage of scripture.)

<-----------Over there is a quote by Dieter F. Uchdorf which my dear boy embodied so well today. He listened and answered his sister's need, out of pure love, because "the Lord answers our prayers, but it is usually through another person that He meets our needs." (Spencer W. Kimball)

I am reminded that God can make the same change for me--when I listen, of course, and when I allow Him to do so. I am convinced that He is there, waiting to help me, and waiting for me to help others, if I would just stop being so stubborn and pay attention. I know He knows me personally, and I know He loves me as my Heavenly Father, as He loves each and every person who ever has lived or will live on this earth.

Some days, like today, I have nothing snarky to write, and that's just fine by me.