He Is My Joy and My Song

We were late. Again. A last minute decision sent us running to another chapel across town. As we stood waiting to enter, we were warned that there were no seats available. I didn't want to make a grand entrance and parade to the front row. The special guest has now arrived! Let the meeting begin! As the doors swung open, three people on the back row made their exit and we quickly squeezed four bodies into the three places. I greeted a familiar face next to me and took a moment to scan the room for more. It felt so familiar. The same families on the same benches; some bigger than before and some smaller. Families have a way of doing that. They grow and then they shrink. A wave of homesickness washed over me as I looked to the front left pew where my own family had always resided. How I miss the Milton Ward. I quickly spotted my special friends and exhaled in relief. Friends have a way of bringing comfort just in knowing that they are nearby.

The meeting proceeded. The first speaker began in a sing-song voice. She spoke with enthusiasm about friends as if we were all five years old. We all need friends. True. I listened with anticipation for the end to come. Not that I didn't enjoy what she was saying, but the purpose for my visit was next. I fidgeted in my seat. It was time. My heart jumped as I watched the two nervous 17-year-olds walk to the pulpit. My best friend followed them and sat at the piano. Her beautiful daughter sat with her. I knew her job would be turning the pages. She spotted me on the back row and gave me her warm, familiar smile. I was glad she knew I was there. The piano began the familiar notes that only weeks before had not existed until I carefully arranged them on the page. The inexperienced boy and girl stood nervously waiting for their entrance. They began. "The Lord is my light. Then why should I fear?" That first phrase brought peace. I relaxed and let the music float toward me and around me and finally into me. "The Lord is my Light! He is my joy and my song!" I thought my heart would literally burst as I felt the reality of those words. Tears streamed down my cheeks. "He is my Redeemer, my Savior and King. This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring." I was filled with that assurance. "By day and by night, He leads me along." It felt a little like giving birth but without the pain. Joy, joy, joy! That's the only way to describe it. My friend looked for me as she walked back from the piano. Our eyes met for a moment and I knew that it was good.

Whether I share it in word or in song, I must declare that Jesus Christ is my Light! He is my salvation from sorrow and sin. He is my strength. I know in His might I'll conquer at length. He leads me along and I willingly follow.

Without Murmuring....

There is a story in the Book of Mormon about a man named Lehi and his family who leave their home and journey into the wilderness. The Lord was leading them to a promised land. The journey was very difficult. Nephi, who is Lehi's son, says, "We did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness; and our women did bear children in the wilderness." (1 Nephi 17:1) I thought a lot about those women in the wilderness this morning and how difficult their lives must have been. They lived in tents. They probably walked as they journeyed. They didn't have many fires. No bathrooms, laundry, kitchens, day spas. There were probably wild animals, insects, extreme heat or cold, lack of food and water. I can only imagine how hard it must have been. Nephi continues, "And so great were the blessings of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong, yea, even like unto the men; and they began to bear their journeyings without murmurings." (17:2)

I have not been journeying without murmuring of late. In fact, I'm not sure if it even qualifies as murmuring anymore. Maybe outright whining and complaining. So how did these women do it? "And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them." (17:3) As we strive to keep the commandments of God, He does nourish us, strengthen us, and provide for us. Nourish, strengthen, provide. That is how these women bore their burdens without murmuring.

I asked myself, how has the Lord nourished me? To nourish is to promote the growth of something. We are in constant need of nourishment to our body and spirit. Yesterday I was nourished by the power of music. We sang Christmas hymns in Sacrament Meeting and in Young Women's. We took the youth group that sings in our home on Sunday nights out caroling last night. I was nourished by the energy of their youth, by the sound of their songs, and by the love that shone from the faces of the people we sang to. It was a marvelous day.

How has the Lord strengthened me? To strengthen is to make stronger or to increase our ability to resist force. I was strengthened this morning as I studied the good word of God. I am strengthened by a good husband who is patient and loving. I have asked myself if I am really getting stronger spiritually. What I am learning right now is how to dust off and get back up as I continually fall. Hopefully that is spiritual exercise.

The Lord continually provides for me and my family. I once learned that the definition of prosper is to be made able. So when the Lord says he will prosper those who love him, He is making them able to accomplish His work. This is happening continually in my life. I may not be getting rich, but I am being made able to do what needs to be done.

"I will also be your light in the wilderness.... and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led." (17:13) Not only does Jesus Christ nourish, strengthen,and provide, but He is our light! He is my Light! I do know that it is by Him that I am led. I feel Him near, bearing me up. I hear His reassuring voice, "I am right here." It keeps me going. Maybe I can begin to bear my journeying without murmuring. I will try. Then I will get back up and try again.