Looking for the Miracles

by Shauna V. Brown 

      For the past week I have set the goal to jot  down, for my personal spiritual exercise, and history, the many miracles that have transpired in my life. I highly recommend this exercise for all of us. It is simply amazing as one reflects upon those moments when life was held in the balance, when answers hadn’t come, when strangers came with remedies, when purpose became clear, were miracles. I marveled how thoughts of inspiration and impressions took hold, when dreams held visions, when scriptures rendered answers, when prayers were heard, when life began.  Clearly, it is amazing to see the hand and design of our creator in our daily living. In fact, it is a blessing to see just how closely God is involved in the details of our lives. 

  

          “I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant.  

        The Lord is in the details.”  ~ Thomas S. Monson 

              One miracle, I believe was truly significant happened many years ago.  With six children I felt we needed to enlarge our living space. Because of this feeling I was literally driven to find a new home. “Driven,” is perhaps too simple of a description. I was fully focused, constantly compelled upon to find a new home. I was daily searching for it, at lunch time Rick and I would often go through numerous homes. I had a binder filled with potential homes, layouts, and maps. My realtor was maxed out trying to find “that perfect home” for our needs.  I felt an increasing pressure upon me, it was an unrelenting feeling. Most of the time I was filled with anxiety, frustration and most nights I couldn’t sleep. 

         Late one night I got out of bed and knelt down to say another prayer. It seemed the answer to a frequent and repeated plea wasn’t coming, and this was disturbing to me as well.  Then, while praying for that requested direction I heard a voice. It was clear and distinct, it scared me. He said, “Pray to me and I will give you answers.”  An instant, jolting vibration within my soul ignited  a sense of fear. I immediately got up, grabbed my scriptures, rushed down the hallway, turned on the lights in the living room and settled myself in a chair. My heart was pounding rapidly. I felt an even greater sense of urgency, “Heavenly Father, help me to know who is pushing me. Are we are meant to move.” Then, I extended, “Help me know what you want me to do.” I then had a flash of direction. I quickly opened my scriptures and fanned the pages. I didn’t know where to look. I hadn’t tested this experiment before.  I then dropped my finger upon a page and passage. I then started to read :   

        “It is necessary that ye should remain for the present time in your places of abode, 

         as it shall be suitable to your circumstances.”  Doctrine & Covenants 48:1   

        Can you imagine it?  Where there had been pressure, tumult, discouragement, anxiety and frustration, all was quickly dispelled. Imagine how my heart felt at that very moment, as I was immediately surrounded in a sense of reassuring peace. I clearly knew what God wanted for me.  The desire to look for a home vanished. I had my direction and answer. 

        Yet, I admit, I pondered why God hadn’t answered me earlier. I have come to appreciate and value that timing is often the key that unlocks the miracles and purposes of God.   

        That night, I learned just how in tune the destroyer is. How he is eager, unrelenting, to have us tied to his ways and will.  

        

“Knowing our Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives, then we must  

        realize the destroyer is aimed at derailing our lives.”  ~ Shauna 

   Trust me, I don’t look for signs. It is clear to me... Miracles are happening everyday. 

Enjoy Your Sabbath 

Love Always, 

Shauna  

                   Lasting Impressions

by Shauna Brown 

      Recently we discovered a warm spot in the United States,Arizona. My Christmas gift to husband Rick was a visit to see Rick’s brother and Sister-in-law Cathy.  It has been over eight years since we saw them last, much, much too long. 

       I must admit it was delightful taking long walks in the hot sun, and equally refreshing to walk by moonlight. Oh, what a 

wonderful world we live in. So many things to enjoy, learn about and share.

      While there we were fortunate to attend the Gilbert Arizona Temple Open House. There is something exciting to observe as people, concourses of people, families, walking by the hundreds to the house of the Lord.  I’m sure some of them were just interested in seeing the inside of an LDS temple, while others came to give reverance and respect for such a beautiful gift, a house worthy of the Lord’s blessings.  It was breath taking, every inch was truly an offering of the best craftsmanship, deliberate detail, and colors that rendered peace and tranquility.  

      No one could have missed the motif that was carried throughout the building, that of the native agave plant. By way of artistic talent the motif was found everywhere, from stain glass windows, gold inlays, carpets, vases, and of course agave plants filled the landscape.

     The agave motif was used to signify the influence of one generation upon another. You see, as the agave ages the older leaves create impressions on the upper, younger leaves. They leave patterns for posterity, if you will, becoming a symbol of eternal families.  

It was interesting to me to learn that the agave takes an incredible amount of time before it blooms, and then it only blooms once. So impressions, patterns and examples are critical to the young and growing agave leaves.     

      Immediately my thoughts turned to our Father in Heaven and what impressions he has left upon our hearts, minds, and souls?  How does he want us to live? What characteristics have been impressed deeply- deeply enough that I begin to see, think and feel as He does. 

     We have all heard the comment, “He’s just like his Father, so set in his ways.”  Imagine that if we all looked to God and began to be “set in his ways” - growing and allowing the patterns left upon our personal petals to have place within us. Imagine the possibilities, the confidence, the power, the ability to grow, to become, more than just a budding hope. 

“Too old to plant trees for my own gratification, 

I shall do it for posterity.”--Thomas Jefferson

“Let us never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only 

aware of us but cares for us. He is our Father. He is accessible to all who

will seek Him.”  ~ Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

    

Enjoy Your Sabbath

Love Always,

Shauna

Cart Happy!

by Shauna Brown

     Yesterday, as I was shopping a man came down the same isle as I was on, walking in the opposite direction. He pushed his cart close to my cart.  I smiled and simply inquired, “How are you doing today?”  A few seconds passed and he muttered with a dark tone, “fine.”  I continued on not thinking much more about it. Then even while my back was turned he voiced aloud, “Thank you for asking.”  

“You’re so welcome,” I said turning.

My thoughts continued to percolate upon his statement, “Thank you for asking.”  My imagination took hold and I was set to wondering.  I wondered if he lived alone. I wondered by the tone of his voice if he carried  heavy burdens. I thought about his unshaven face and deep set eyes. I wondered if he knew or felt what happiness was. Perhaps he was unemployed and struggling. I wondered if one ever spoke to him. If too much of his world was filled with silence. I wondered if he had children who rarely visited him. I wondered and imagined, and of course I gave him reasons for being alone. Perhaps his wife was dying, his children lived far away. 

“Thank you for asking.” 

Too often, I believe many of us push our ‘carts of life’ past those who need us to stop, reach out with words of hope, purpose and possibilities. The rush of life often pushes us past the opportunity to learn from others, to give to others, even if it’s just a smile and a few words of genuine interest.

For the rest of the day I said to everyone with whom I came in contact, “Hello,”  “Hi, how are you?”  “ Good morning,” “Hi, there!” “Good afternoon.” Some looked at me a little strangely, as if I was an odd duck. Others quickly 

responded with a  “Hello!” Some looked around to insure I was speaking to them. Others nodded and smiled without response. Still , far too many, even while looking directly at me, ignored me, as if I wasn’t there. I must admit my experiment was interesting. My fact finding moments revealed a vast and varying summation. In all observations, I was amazed, a how much a few words of kindness can make a difference.  

“Thank you for asking.”

After reading a couple of Leo Buscaglia’s books, that focus on love, and relationships, I came to realize that there are many valuable gifts that each of us carry within our personal carts. Many people are shopping, seeking to find the “gift” that we are meant to share with them. Leo Buscaglia taught: 

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, 

a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the

smallest act of caring, all of which have the 

potential to turn a life around.” ~ 

So for today, stop your cart, look around and rejoice in this great gift of life. We must all come to realize that within each of us are an abundance of gifts meant to share with others. 

Perhaps your heart will be as stirred as mine was, when words extended.... “Thank you for asking,”  rested upon my heart. From those words I felt like reaching out more, inquiring more, caring more, and seeing more. Makes me want to look into my ‘cart of abundance,’ open up my heart, let the sunshine out and share it with the world. 

Enjoy Your Sabbath,

Love Always,

Shauna

Seek

by Shauna Brown 

       Each night for the past week, I have been reading aloud a book by Sheri Dew, GOD WANTS A POWERFUL PEOPLE. If you’re like me, you certainly want to become what God has envisioned you to become.  I was inspired, as I read the words of President Spencer W. Kimball: 

     “The Almighty is with this people. We shall have all the revelations that we shall need if we will do our duty and keep the commandments of God. . . . If there be eyes to see, there will be visions to inspire. If there be ears to hear, there will be revelations to experience. If there be hearts which can understand, know this: that the exalting truths of Christ’s gospel will no longer be hidden and mysterious, and all earnest seekers may know God and his program” . 

    

        I want my heart to be ready to feel, eyes wide open to see revealed truths. I want to hear His voice. I want to draw down the powers from heaven. I want to become all that He needs me to be.  It is a comfort to know that God is very much aware of each individual’s needs. I don’t know how He does it, I only know He does.  

          In a time when the world seems plagued by corruption, sin, distrust, and distractions, I am further realizing the importance of three words from our 13th Article of Faith : -- We SEEK after.   ‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praise worthy , we seek after these things.” 

        Sadly, all of us, more frequently are needing to seek, search and find all that is good. Too often this necessitates a pushing against worldly ways, trends, and growing apathy.  There might even be times when we are called upon to stand for something. Many standards , by some voices are now deemed unimportant, useless, outdated, and obsolete. God may want us, need us, to raise our voices, which might even demand we stand alone.          

I love the blog site of Stephanie Nielsen. I am inspired and lifted by her and her young family. Burned in a horrific plane crash she has recognized her tragedy, as an opportunity to share her faith and beliefs of how to live a full and happy life. If you want a moment to SEEK the good, go to her blog.  [nie nie]. I am always enriched by partaking of her thoughts. If Stephanie’s  words are inspiring, then imagine if we listen, if we seek to center our lives upon God’s words--how might we feel?    

       Yes, for today, look around, seek all that is  GOOD, become the good, and might we all allow His loving light to distill upon us. 

        Enjoy your Sabbath 

        Love always, 

        Shauna