What are Friends?

 I was recently sitting in the temple and the Spirit whispered this question, "What is a friend.?

I was surprised as I found myself having faces flooding my mind on who I considered "Friends."  My heart smiled as their faces ran through my mind.

The spirit then went on to ask if my friends were like Job's three friends?  Were they like the friends who stood by the Prophet Joseph Smith?  Were they "fly by night friends?  Friends of convenience,  nurturing friends, long time friends, short term friends, good friends, best friends, or a friend in passing?

I found myself reflecting on the various friendships I have had and continue to have.  Many memories flooded my mind as I reflected on them and my heart smiled at those I consider my true blue loyal friends.

Then the Spirit took me to the passage of scripture in the New Testament were Christ clothed himself and then knelt and washed the feet of His trusted and beloved disciples.  I then had the words of a Kenneth Cope song run through my mind:

Greater Love

"If I had been there at his trial,

And watched as they mocked Israel's King,

I wonder if I would have tried to turn their hearts to Him,

If I had been there when they whipped him,

And watched as he fell to his knees,

Would I have been willing to offer my own life for Him,

For His friends, how he bled

His love for them was just as he said

Greater love he showed the greatest love, of all

If I had been there at the hillside when they fastened his hands to the cross,

I'm sure that my heart would have broken,

For His friends, For His friends,

And that's me if I do what he said

Would I give? Could I live my life like Jesus?

Jesus

Well now, it's been years since his lifetime,

But he and his love still remain,

And all that I want is to be like him,

He was all I hope to be,

I would give my life to be,

The kind of friend, Jesus was to me,

Greater love"

And in bold print in my mind "I would give my life to be  the kind of friend, Jesus was to me."

That thought stopped me short as the Spirit started running through my mind faces of people that I had no desire to be friends with.  As those faces ran through my mind I seen the Savior approaching those who many deemed not worthy of their time or friendship.

A knife sliced through my heart as I realized the reminder that the Spirit and my Heavenly Father were  teaching me.  Me who was always saying, "We are all children of an Eternal Heavenly Father who loves and each and every one of us...."  And yet here I was staying in my comfort zone of "Friends whom I connected with."  They also gave me the gentle reminder of my promise made many years ago to my Eternal Heavenly Father that my life was His....and upon hearing the above song for the first time I remember saying, "Oh, Heavenly Father I would give my life to be the kind of friend Jesus was to me."  My mother always told me to be careful what you ask for :).  

So, here in this New Year I am going to try and become a better friend to all that truly need a friend,  And yes, I am going to lean on my current friends who happened to side with My Father in Heaven this go around.

What are friends a thoughtful soul once asked

There is the fly by night friends, the loyal friends, the nurturing friend and your true-blue friends.  What kind of friend are you?

Are you a friend like the ones who sat with Job silently offering their quiet strength; or are you the type of friend that would stand by your beloved prophet and give heed to his inspired words?

Or are you the type of friend who would kneel and wash another’s feet?

Could you be a friend to the friendless or just a friend to those who look and dress like you.

Imagine for a moment if you would, what it would be like to be friend like the Savior has been to you.

Lorie B 2023

    

I'll Meet You Where You Are

 I was visiting with a friend about some tender issues that troubled my heart and she shared with me her thoughts and then she made a comment that one lady was apologizing to her because of the busyness of her life and my friend shared with me, "I told her not to worry, I would meet her where she was."  

I'll meet you where you are has been playing in my mind.  Tonight I had dinner with some very special friends who have faced some challenges and as I was enjoying their company the thought ran through my mind, "I will meet you where you are."  

Once home I started putting my thoughts on paper and then these words started flowing through my mind:

So many times one finds themselves travelling afar.

They turn around to look behind and hear these reassuring words,

"It's ok my child.  I will meet you where you are."

At other times we find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of this busy world and as we start to apologize for the busyness of our lives and we once again hear these reassuring words, "Its ok my child.  I will meet you where you are."

And when we find ourselves lost and all alone in a dreary lonely world filled with deep despair, we catch a glimpse of a radiant light and hear once again those hope filled words, "Its ok my child.  I will meet you where you are."

How grateful I am for my Eternal Father and the friends He has blessed me with and those friends He has entrusted to my care that we can meet where we are. 

Just Another Day

Ever since I can remember my mom and poppers made each one of my birthdays a very special day.  Each birthday I would find myself surrounded by family and friends and my mother would bake me the most wonderful Strawberry cake.  I have wonderful memories from those long lost days so many years ago.

In 1997 on my 32nd birthday I found myself alone on a birthday journey that would forever a change my life.  My beloved parents were not able to share this birthday with me but I found myself surrounded by loved ones who had passed on and amazing woman whose eyes radiated a great love for me a total stranger and each gave me the most wonderful hugs.

Since that wonderful journey where I first entered the doors of our holy temple.  I promised my Father in Heaven that I would spend each and every birthday with Him in His Holy House.  I have kept that promise for the last 25 years and each year on my birthday I would be found in the temple with my beloved mom and poppers who are now on the other side along with the rest of my family basking in their love and my Eternal Father's love.  I would then meet my two friends who I have come to refer as my northern stars and we would have a lovely dinner.

This year my excitement of my upcoming birthday was there but I sensed this year was going to be extra special.  The Spirit kept whispering, "enjoy your special day because tomorrow will be just another day."  I found myself perplexed at this thought but continued to count the days.  Two of my beloved friends are temple workers and their day at the temple so happened to fall on my birthday, so I sent them a card and invited them to share my special day with me.  It warmed my heart when they shared with me their appt had been made.  I then found myself visiting with my Heavenly Father and sharing with Him how I so wanted another dear friend to join us that day and how neat that would be; but closed with but if not that's okay.

My special day arrived and I was so excited!!!  I took my camera so I could get my yearly picture of the temple.  I caught a nice shot and as I was heading to the temple entrance there stood my special friend.  My heart jumped for joy as I shared with her that I had asked our Father in Heaven to place a desire in her heart to spend my special day with me.

As I was sitting between these two beloved sisters I felt myself being overcome with emotions.  Not only did I find myself basking in their love but all my family and Heavenly Father were there with us.  Tears flowed down my face as the spirit whispered, "This is the way it was meant to be...your's is a little late."  Then once again, "enjoy this special day because tomorrow is just another day."

The session was AMAZING!!!!  My heart was so full of joy and love.  I found myself in awe just as I had been in 1997.  Afterwards I met my northern stars and we laughed until we cried and had such a wonderful time together.  As we were leaving the restaurant basking in the warm love that surrounded us I heard them say, "Until next year.  This was such a great night."  Oh, how I love them.

As we were parting and the day was winding down the spirit whispered once again, "Enjoy the night for tomorrow is just another day.  And he was right.  I woke with an afterglow of my birthday but it was just another day.  A day to get back to work.  As I have been reflecting on this wonderful experience these words started running through my mind:

Tomorrow is Just Another Day

One has those special days that are near and dear to their heart

The birth of a child, that child's first steps

One's first love, A school graduation and one's wedding day

But there is a day more special than most 

and that's the day you left your Heavenly Home to embark  on your mortal journey

Each year when that special day comes around your Heavenly Father ensures its more than just a day

But then you have an extra special day where your

 Eternal Father blesses you with an unexpected gift

And you feel a special kinship with a chosen few who chose to share this special day with you

And as you're basking in the warmth of their great love the Spirit gently whispers

"Cherish this special day because tomorrow will be just another day." 

Blessed are the Cargivers

 

I am so blessed to have amazing friends that fill my heart with great joy and peace.  Yesterday I got to spend a few hours with such friends who have been caregivers for their elderly relatives since the first day I met them.  So, I wasn't surprised when they shared with me they were bringing their elderly mother into their home to take care of her.  Incredible love for this beautiful couple filled my soul as I shared with them there were great blessing in store for them.

A total stranger on a FB post had shared how she was caring for her elderly mother.  As I read her post that same radiating love filled my soul as I assured her great blessings were in store.  

I am so grateful that my dearest friends are some of those few who chose to take care of their elderly parents by bringing them into their home.  I am also blessed to have colleagues that fill my heart with joy as I witness them showering our adopted grandmas and grandpas with their unconditional love.

As I was reflecting on them a poem started flowing into my mind.  My way of sharing with them how amazing they are and how grateful I am to have them as friends.

Still needs some work but I love the message.

In the premortal existence before we were all born, our Eternal Father in Heaven called a meeting with a special few.

You are preparing for a mortal journey where you will start young and then you will grow old.  Some will have their minds begin to fade, others will have many aches and pains and there will be some who will face diseases that will eat at their good health; and so my dear children when that day comes what suggest you on how to care for them?

A vibrant discussion soon ensued where many ideas and suggestions were then shared.  But in the back of the room stood a quiet few who silently observed.

Noting their silence our great Father fastened his gaze upon them and asked, “What say ye dear children who silently observe?”  Nervous to answer one finally spoke:

“Our Holy Father here is our desire, let us your silent few take them and care for them when that day arrives.  All we ask of you is that you grant us the strength and courage to stay by their side and let our hearts be filled with love and patience as we witness their decline.”

Pleased with their humble answer our Father then declared, “Blessed art thou and how great shall be your joy when you return to your Heavenly Home."

The BIble told me so

 I enjoy listening to various insights that different pastors share from their reading of the bible.  Some are quite enlightening but there is one that every chance he gets he takes a jab at members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I just find myself sadly shaking my head because he is so off base with his thoughts.

Today he was commenting that "Mormons don't worship the Christ that is found in the bible.  They worship the Christ of Joseph Smith."  I was dumbfounded and found myself shaking my head sadly.  Joseph Smith was a young man looking for answers and he was reading in the bible               James 1:5

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and abraideth not; and it shall be given him."

If one listens to our General Conferences speaker after speaker will quote from the Old and New Testament and all encourage us to look and follow our Master the Savior and emulate our lives after His.

My thoughts than turned to the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapters 5-7.  Then I remembered President Hinkley's Beatitude's:  

1.  Be Grateful

2.  Be Smart

3.  Be Clean

4.  Be True

5.  Be Humble

6.  Be Prayerful

All traits our Lord and Savior exhibited throughout his life.

Then the words to "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" started playing in my mind:

1. 1. I know that my Redeemer lives.

   What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

   He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

   He lives, my ever-living Head.

   He lives to bless me with his love.

   He lives to plead for me above.

   He lives my hungry soul to feed.

   He lives to bless in time of need.

2. 2. He lives to grant me rich supply.

   He lives to guide me with his eye.

   He lives to comfort me when faint.

   He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

   He lives to silence all my fears.

   He lives to wipe away my tears.

   He lives to calm my troubled heart.

   He lives all blessings to impart.

3. 3. He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.

   He lives and loves me to the end.

   He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.

   He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

   He lives and grants me daily breath.

   He lives, and I shall conquer death.

   He lives my mansion to prepare.

   He lives to bring me safely there.

4. 4. He lives! All glory to his name!

   He lives, my Savior, still the same.

   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

   “I know that my Redeemer lives!”

   He lives! All glory to his name!

   He lives, my Savior, still the same.

   Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

   “I know that my Redeemer lives!”

5. 
   

There is no doubt in my mind that The Lord and Savior that I not only love and worship but who is my best friend is the One and Only Christ found throughout the pages of the bible and it is Him that I strive to be like each and every day.  I have felt His great love for me and my neighbors for His words and actions are written in the soft fleshy tablet of my heart and it all started with "Cause the bible told me so."

 

Oh, if you could look inside my heart

 

I recently attended a leadership meeting and as I sat there surrounded by what I will call "Professional" leaders, I found myself feeling very out of place, very naive  and immature.  As I was dwelling on my shortcomings and inadequacies.  I had these words start running through my mind:  

Oh, if you could look inside my heart, you would see a frail broken little girl looking for her place to be.

Oh, if you could look inside my heart, you would see, a frail little girl willing to cry with thee.

Oh, if you could look inside my heart, you would see this broken little girl’s pure love for thee.

Oh, if you could look inside my heart, you would see the great love this little girl has for her Eternal Father, her eternal family and His great plan of happiness for all to see.

Oh, if you could look inside my heart, you would see her sincere desire to serve her Lord her God with all her being.

Oh, if you could look inside my heart, you would see Our Eternal Father’s great love for thee.

Oh, if you could look inside my heart, you would see a sound understanding of our Eternal Father’s plea, ‘Remember the worth of souls are so very precious to me.’”

I believe it was a gentle reminder that the Lord looks upon the heart and He had his reasons for calling me to this leadership position and that I need to keep trusting in Him.

FInding out Who You Truly Are

 Today in Relief Society our lesson was based on a talk given be Elder Bednar last conference address and we had many great thoughts shared throughout the lesson but there was a comment made about our youth and my mind went back to talk I had been listening where the newly called Young Woman's President Bonnie H Cordon shared her experience when President Nelson had called her and asked her "what do the youth of today need to understand."  She answered after pondering for a minute, "They need to know who they are..."   We had a wonderful discussion about our youth and many needing to be a part of the crowd.   I was one that followed the crowd while others stood alone and did not fall into the crowd.

As I was driving home the song "I've got to find out who I am" by Michael McClean came into my mind along with a talk that I had given many years ago based on that song.  Sister Cordon was spot on in her answer, "they need to know who they are." but then President Nelson responded, "And their purpose."  My family history is quite a story and because of my history for many years I had no clue who I was. I was raised in a part member Latter Day Saint home but being adopted and having older parents raising you was something that many Latter Day Saints did not understand.  We are not even going to get in to the issues my adopted parents created in my young life.  For many years I knew I was a Child of God and that He loved me but life happens and I had some very deep emotional scars that planted the seed of doubts and those doubts grew as I grew until I lost touch with who I was and my "purpose.  I found myself enthralled in the crowd because while in the crowd I was "someone."

I followed that crowd for many years and emotionally it started draining me and I was becoming a stranger to myself.   I then found myself in a dark place filled with despair with no hope but through the Lord's tender mercies I was brought to a place where my healing could begin and He placed people in my life that became my spiritual lifelines and they forever changed my life.

A comment was made that if you chose to stay alone and not follow the crowd you would find that "so called friends" would quit calling and invitations would stop.  My standing alone came when I came out of the temple for my first time.  Many friendships and associations ended but I knew without a doubt who I was and I found my purpose.

There are so many distractions, loudness and negativity surrounding our youth at this time it is very easy for them to forget who they truly are and their purpose.  My heart aches for friends whose children  have wandered away from the strait and narrow path.  They do not know who they truly are.  I am sure they are aware like I was that they are children of God but they do not truly know who they are or their purpose.  It hasn't been written in the fleshy parts of their heart at this time.   Sadly, I know quite a few adults who have forgotten who they are and their purpose.  It is so easy to get caught up in the business of life and lose sight of what truly matters.  When I left that hallowed house in 97, I pleaded with the Lord "Please don't ever let me forget...."  Then in 98 when I was sealed to my beloved Mom and Poppers I again pleaded, "Please don't ever let me forget..."  and He has not.  Daily I have reminders of both those life changing days and the wonderful blessings that have followed.

My prayer for the youth and adults is that they will "Find out who they are." and when they do they shall have it written deeply in their hearts as they set about on their true purpose and may their hearts be filled with peace and love as mine was.

I've Got to Find Out Who I Am

The melody’s familiar,

I’ve heard this song before.

It’s been around the thousand years,

Or maybe even more.

And everybody’s sung it,

At least I think they’ve tried,

But even when the singing’s done

This song goes on inside.

I’ve got to find out who I am  

I’ve got to find out who I am

Got to know. And got to see what’s making me, me

I’ve got to when I do I know I’ll be what I can

When I find out who I am.

I’ll be all I can.

When I find out who I am.

And when I do know

I’ll be what I can.

When I find out who I am.

I’ll be all I can.

When I find out who I am.

Text: Michael McLean

Music: Michael McLean

Arranged By: Bill Evans

Artist: Liz Draper

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