Shower Reading
For the last three years I've had some shower reading--four scriptures that I see every day when I shower. I carefully considered the four scriptures I wanted on my wall, then I printed them out, laminated them, and taped them to my shower wall. I am not good at memorizing things and even after three years I can honestly say that I don't have them memorized. However, Elder Scott was right when he said, "Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change. "
He also said, Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." It's been very true for me! Three years later I find myself going about my day and one of these scriptures pop into my mind and give me the needed guidance and encouragement required to change my thoughts and have a more heavenly perspective.
The first scripture on my shower wall is Matthew 6:34 "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." This is a scripture that Mike used to quote to me. I have a problem with allowing myself to get too focused on the future. I begin to worry about what could happen and often get anxious about things. This scripture reminds me that I need to focus on the things of today and take one day at a time. This scripture has come to my mind frequently in the last few months and I can't begin to describe how thankful I am to have this scripture (mostly) memorized. It has really helped me refocus and take a deep breath and remind myself that it will all turn out OK if I have faith.
The second scripture is one of my all time favorite scriptures. I have loved this scripture since I was in college and taught at the Provo Special Ed Institute. It has stuck with me since then and is another one that I have mostly memorized (I used to have it completely memorized but like stated, I'm really bad at memorizing and even things I've memorized in the past don't stick too long). Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17. "You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.
He also said, Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." It's been very true for me! Three years later I find myself going about my day and one of these scriptures pop into my mind and give me the needed guidance and encouragement required to change my thoughts and have a more heavenly perspective.
The first scripture on my shower wall is Matthew 6:34 "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." This is a scripture that Mike used to quote to me. I have a problem with allowing myself to get too focused on the future. I begin to worry about what could happen and often get anxious about things. This scripture reminds me that I need to focus on the things of today and take one day at a time. This scripture has come to my mind frequently in the last few months and I can't begin to describe how thankful I am to have this scripture (mostly) memorized. It has really helped me refocus and take a deep breath and remind myself that it will all turn out OK if I have faith.
The second scripture is one of my all time favorite scriptures. I have loved this scripture since I was in college and taught at the Provo Special Ed Institute. It has stuck with me since then and is another one that I have mostly memorized (I used to have it completely memorized but like stated, I'm really bad at memorizing and even things I've memorized in the past don't stick too long). Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17. "You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
This scripture has brought me so much peace in the last 12+ years but especially in the last three. This was the first scripture I chose to put on my wall. I know that at times in the last three years different people have questioned my ability to be happy. Sometimes it has been a struggle, I'm not going to lie about that. But ultimately, I believe in this scripture. I often repeat it to myself when I begin to feel that life is unfair. It reminds me that I may not have control of many of the circumstances I find myself in but I do have control over my attitude and that I can "stand still with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I know that is true. I know that I one day He will make all things better and all the suffering I find myself going through will be made up in full. But in the meantime, I will try to cheerfully do all things that lie in my power. Try being the key word here. :)
The third scripture is perhaps the most important of the four on my wall. Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
This scripture tells me of a loving Savior who has suffered and felt the pain I've felt and therefore, knows how to succor me when I need it. Since most of the crying I do takes place in the shower away from eyes and ears, this scripture is especially meaningful to me. At times when I find myself crying in the shower my eyes rest upon this scripture and I find so much encouragement and peace in the words of the Savior, a reminder of His sacrifice because of the love He has for me.
The last scripture on my wall is a reference to one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. It is a story of a young servant boy who is scared about the Syrians coming to war against them.
2 Kings 6:15-17 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
I love this story. I learn about faith in the Lord and His power to save us. When I feel as though the task before me is impossible I see this scripture and I remember that nothing is impossible for the Lord. I remember that the Lord will fight my battles. Sometimes I find myself allowing my fear to dictate my actions and this scripture helps me keep my focus on the divine help available from God.
I am so thankful for the scriptures and their power to guide and sustain us. I'm thankful that in the last three years when I've had the most challenging trials of my life, I had these scriptures to turn to. They truly have helped me. I'm thankful that when I prayed and thought about the scriptures to put on my wall that I felt prompted to include these four.
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