Strength to Move Mountains Part 2 "Stronger, Braver, Bolder, & Tougher"

To learn to trust God can be a difficult task.  At times, there is an expectation that by choosing to follow God and making right choices that all will fall into place and there will be less of a struggle.  My husband and I have always sought God’s assistance when we faced a job change and/or move to another state. We wanted to do what God would have us do.  But so many times, we would struggle with selling a house and finding the right house.  Plan A became plan B, followed by plan C, until at times, we simply stopped counting the number of changes we would make in planning a move.

It could have been easy so many times to give up on God and believe he didn’t care about our family, but with every move, every struggle, every changed plan, we would always find a way through, and would witness God’s guiding hand creating miracles on our behalf.

The story of Moses’ efforts to free the Israelites from Egypt is a similar story.  God asked Moses directly to go to Egypt, speak to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land.  Knowing that Moses was following God’s will, he may have hoped for a quick resolution, and that with a little persuasion, he could convince Pharaoh to let the people go. But the task proved to be very difficult.

The Israelites were not so quick to believe Moses could free them and following Moses’ first request to Pharaoh, they were weighed down with heavier burdens. Pharaoh refused to let them go, and to exert his power over them, he requested they make the same number of bricks as usual, but they were also required to gather their own straw first.  They blamed Moses for the extra demands placed upon them. Moses felt discouraged that he was unsuccessful, but God assured him that he would find success and the Egyptians would see the power of God and eventually, the Israelites would be freed from bondage.

Moses tried again, unsuccessfully, ten more times to request that Pharaoh free his people.  Pharaoh refused and would go back on his promises. Serpents, blood instead of water, frogs, lice, flies, the death of the cattle, boils, hail that rained fire, locusts eating all the fruit, and thick darkness affected the Egyptians because Pharaoh refused to grant Moses’s request. Finally, Pharaoh threatens Moses that the next time Moses sees Pharaoh will be his last. But it wasn’t Moses who would die, but all of the firstborn sons in Egypt, including Pharaoh’s son. And finally, Pharaoh could take no more, and demanded that Moses and all the Israelites leave. Moses gathered up the vast number of Israelites and led them safely away from Egypt.

There are many lessons to be learned from this story, including that there will be times in our lives where we know we are doing what God would have us do, but the path is difficult and we feel like we have failed ourselves or others.  We may feel that we can’t compete with more powerful people. We may even fear that we will never succeed. But as we see in the story of Moses freeing the Israelites, God will make all things possible, even the impossible. We can learn from Moses to be willing to trust God and have faith during great challenges, and though we can’t always see the eventual outcomes, we can remind ourselves that we need not fear, for God is in charge and He will help us find a way through our most difficult trials. Moses had feared the task was too much and he couldn’t stand before Pharaoh or the Israelites and make this happen. But if God can take Moses with stammering lips and a slow tongue more powerful then a great king of Egypt, then He certainly can take each of us and make us stronger than our weakness, braver than our fears, bolder than our enemies, and tougher than our trials!

Strength to Move Mountains "Who Am I"

This is the first blogpost in my series, Strength to Move Mountains, focused on learning from people in the scriptures.  If I can understand what their strengths, challenges, and weaknesses are, I will gain a source to understand how to overcome my weaknesses, face my challenges, and gain Strength to Stand Strong.  My articles will come from stories in the Bible, but as I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, my stories will also come from the Book of Mormon.  I have been on a fascinating journey as I have been studying people in the scriptures and tried to see them as real people with real challenges who God made great.

I cannot shy away from my faith or my belief in God because it is part of who I am.  I appreciate any feedback, though I am not looking to debate the existence of God or who God is.  I respect other’s beliefs as we are each entitled to our own beliefs, but I would like to share what I have learned and ask for respectful comments in return. 

“Who am I?” I say to myself.

                        Who am I—to think I can make a difference in this world

                        Who am I—to think I have the skills and talents to step out of my comfort zone

Who am I—to think I can be who God wants me to be

Sometimes, I find it easy to question myself.  I think its human nature because its easier to compare our imagined insignificance to another’s purported greatness.  In today’s world, ridicule and judgment are quickly exclaimed on social media, labels can overtake a person’s true identity, and it’s easy to feel we don’t measure up to some arbitrary standard.

“Who am I?” I say to myself.

Who am I—I will never be great       

Who am I—my weaknesses will prevent me from accomplishing my goals

I discovered that somebody great had voiced similar questions. And I became enthralled as I read his story in the Bible.  This man had found a way to overcome his weaknesses and to become who God wanted him to be and who God knew he could be.  He became a great leader to many people and performed many miracles. We recognize him for his great works, but until I sat down and studied his story, I didn’t truly understand his internal battles that preceded his efforts to save the Israelites from their forced slavery and many burdens in Egypt.

“Who am I?” Moses said to God

Who am I—that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Who am I—“they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice”

Who am I—“I am not eloquent…I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue”

Who am I—“why is it that thou hast sent me?”

Even though Moses questioned his ability to fulfill what God wanted him to do, he moved forward.  He continually sought God’s help. He received help from others including, his brother, Aaron, who became his spokesman, his father-in-law, Jethro offered his confidence in Moses’ ability to free the Israelites.  God assured Moses he would help him, that even though it would be difficult to convince Pharaoh to let his people go, he would be successful. Yet it took many unsuccessful attempts before Pharaoh finally consented.

It is highly unlikely in my life that I will be called upon to go up against a ruler of a large nation, free Israelites from bondage, miraculously part the Red Sea, or lead people for 40 years to the promised land, but in my life I may need to stand up to evil men, help protect my children from the bondage of bad choices, miraculously find solutions to difficult problems, and lead my family on a righteous journey. Therefore, in my quest to resolve the feelings of inadequacies I sometimes experience, I look to Moses and I learn

·      that God believes in me

·      God will help me to accomplish my goals and guide me in that process

·      God will give me strength to face my enemies

·      God will bring me out from under my burdens

·      There will be times when I will want to give up because I have tried multiple times and failed, but I must trust God and keep trying

I receive Strength to Stand Strong when as Moses I look to God for help and trust that God will guide me along my path.

            “Who am I?” I say to myself

Who am I – I am willing to trust God knowing he will help me

                        Who am I – I am strong enough to face my enemies

                        Who am I – I am stepping forward to be who God would have me be

Finding the Power To Stand Strong

I want to shout from the rooftops, but I don’t know if any one will listen. I want to stand and boldly declare my beliefs, even if they are disregarded or tossed aside.  I want to share my knowledge with others, but sometimes, no one is interested.  I will still speak and I will still write and hope that someone, somewhere is listening or reading, though I have realized my writing voice is louder.  So I turn to writing a blog. I don’t have to worry that no one shows for a class I have prepared or someone cancels a coaching appointment. Yes, it’s a little frightening to put your words up where anyone can read them, but then again, sometimes no one does.

But I want to tell a story.  I love stories. I love knowing the background—the context to what makes someone who they are. And I have a story to tell.  The story of how I received the Strength to Stand Strong. I want to share what I have learned because the path has been a journey worth traveling and as my Contribution Statement says, 

          “I am a stone bridge weathered and worn, yet inviting all to come. I offer to assist others safely across the impassable journeys of life. I will help them build their own bridge, so they may carry themselves clear of the jagged rocks, the arduous climb, and the turbulent swirls of life. They will become conqueror to what once appeared impossible.”

I love life!  I love the journey I am on! It hasn’t been an easy path, but I love learning and life has given me opportunities to learn difficult lessons and to find ways through complicated problems. Come join me on this journey as I share my stories, my thoughts, and ideas to help carry you and I through our highest of highs and our lowest of lows. My blog will include two parts – stories and ideas centered around my faith and my belief in God and the second part will include what I have learned through and because of my Strength Coaching program.  I had two separate blogs, but I recently realized I needed to combine these two parts into one.  There’s a story behind that I will definitely share because it’s a story worth telling.

My blog is me shouting from the rooftops and boldly declaring that I have found the Strength to Stand Strong. In this simple way, I share with anyone who cares to read that even when life kicks our feet out from under us, that we have the ability and the power to stand back up. Never believe you are not strong enough. Never fear you are not good enough. For strength is derived from conquering the unconquerable and rising when falling feels easier. You and I have the power to Stand Strong!

A Lantern to Remember Revised

On Mother’s Day,

My children, husband, and I

Gathered in a nearby field

My dad, sisters, brother, and their families

Commemorated in two other locations

One by one we lit

Each fragile Chinese lantern

To remember our mom

And our children’s grandma.

A loving mom and kind grandma who

Six months earlier left this earthly life

Multiple Sclerosis had taken its toll

15 years she battled this disease,

The last three years were most difficult

My mom who loved to walk

Forced to use a wheelchair

My creative mom who used to paint

Lost her fine motor control use of her hands

My independent mom

Constantly depended on family for basic help

My happy, easy-going mom

Fought depression, forgetfulness, and pain.

The tall, cylindrical, white paper lanterns

With the fuel covered square connected

To the bottom by a metal ring base

Were held upside down while

We lit the square

Then, carefully we turned it over

Right side up while

The gas filled the lantern

After watching my children participate,

I held onto the base of the last lantern

I held it tight

I didn’t want to let go

The lantern could not be contained

And soon it was pulling away

Wanting to be released

And soar into the sky.

Free at last

Into the night sky

Higher and higher the flame propelled it

We stood there watching

The lantern strong and secure

The bright flame lit the entire shape

Causing it to climb higher and higher

 Until we could only see a speck of light

Though others might not have recognized

What lit up the sky

We were mesmerized watching

To see how long the light would hold

And then the flame began to flicker

Poof, the light went out

My lantern had lasted as long as it could

We hoped it could travel all the way to heaven,

But it went at least several miles

Beyond where we stood

The lanterns were beautiful and memorable

But sadly, we wished we didn’t have to say good-bye

Bye Grandma

I Love You

You are the best!

Were the words of my eight year-old son

As the last lantern flickered high in the night sky

To his words, I add:  Dear Mom and Grandma,

We held on tight

For we didn’t want to let go

But Heavenly Father said the time is now

And released you from your earthly life

Away your spirit was carried.

Free from your body’s inability to work

Free from your cloudy mind and depressed heart

To our loving Heavenly Father you returned

On earth, we look up

Wishing you could still be here

Remembering how much you meant to us

Though we can’t see your spirit

We know your light still shines

You lasted as long as you could

Beautiful and memorable, we celebrate your life

Sadly, we said good-bye

But gladly, we know one day

We will see you again.

Bye Mom

I Love You

You are the best!