Reflections of Christ

It doesn't matter how many times I see these images. I just can't get enough of them. Enjoy!

I have a testimony that the hymns found in the Hymn book are inspired and can serve as sacred scripture, bearing a message from our Heavenly Father. I recognized a feeling and thought I had not to long ago. It was to enjoy the moments right now as this was the calm before the storm. The storm started and has yet to pass but the hymn "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" has filled my spirit with a sure knowledge that Heavenly Father has not forgotten my family and will be by our side while we press on through this storm. I want to share the words of this song as they have had a impact on me.

Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace? When other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger or malice, I draw myself apart, searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows, where, when I languish, Where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One.

He answers privately, Reaches my reaching. In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend. Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching. Constant he is and kind, Love with-out end.

I testify that He does answer privately, He is our Friend, and is love is with out end. At my loneliest times I know he holds me up.

The song of the heart

Yesterday was a tough day for me. I slept in, had a headache, wasn't in the mood to do any of the housework that called for my attention, and was generally grouchy.

Around 11:00 in the morning, our ward mission leader (who also happens to be our good friend) called and asked us for a favor. There was a baptism scheduled for 1:00 that afternoon, and because it had all been organized somewhat last-minute, a conductor and pianist were needed.

My husband and I went to the church for the baptism, grumbling a bit about the interruption of our lazy day. He found the missionaries and started the conductor de-briefing process, and I sat down at the (rather old and out-of-tune) piano to play prelude.

After only the first couple of measures, I felt better, and by the time I'd played through several hymns, I felt centered and happy for the first time that day. The songs of our Church - hymns, Primary songs, and other sacred music - always have this effect on me. I'm so grateful for the Spirit that works through music, for the blessings that come from being a member of a church that worships and celebrates with music. I'm grateful also for a Heavenly Father who understands the healing, comforting, lifting powers of beautiful hymns, who gave Emma Smith this important charge:

"And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church.

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. " (D&C 25:11-12)

My soul also delighteth in the song of the heart - I get that from my Father.

For the Beauty

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (The Day Is Done)

A song made all the difference in the world to me one night. I was emotionally "on empty," exhausted, drained, irritable, unhappy, and nearing a breakdown. Then my wonderful husband came home and took the girls, and I locked myself in my room with my journal to work through my emotional mess. Before I started scribbling away, I hit play on the c.d. player next to my bed thinking it might help to listen to some soothing music. I know God is aware of me and knew exactly how to get through to me that night.

As I wrote my feelings in my journal, I suddenly stopped and turned my ear to listen to this song. It was like it reached out and slowed my hand, calmed my racing thoughts, and gently whispered in my ear the words I have sung so many times. I closed my eyes and breathed and listened and let the peace and comfort and healing balm of the Spirit wash over me. I have it on c.d., but here is a sample of the version I was listening to. And here are the words I was singing in my head with tears streaming down my face...

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

(Text by Folliott S. Pierpoint)

Thank you, my dear, loving, patient, kind, all-knowing Father in Heaven.