This Is Why We Came - Poem

This is Why We Came 

We will suffer sickness

We will see loved ones pass away

We will feel discouraged

We will be exhausted at the end of a day

We will see injustice

We will have pain

We will grieve for others and ourselves

We will pull each other up and start over again

We will cry tears of sorrow

We will not understand

We will long for peace

We will wonder if this is part of the plan

 

We will see miracles

We will feel hope and inspiration

We will find moments of peace

We will seek justice

We will discover joy and new strength

We will look beyond ourselves

We will plead for deliverance

We will kneel

We will love and lift others

We will give our all

We will find each other

We will find God

 

This is why we came

 

 

By Janice Harten

Fasting - Portal Into Heaven

Every first Sunday of each month is set apart as a day to fast, pray and give.  Like the Savior, who went into the mountains to pray and draw close to his father for guidance and strength, I am seeking today for blessings for myself and blessings for others who are both near and far from me.

It is early morning and my heart is filled with concern for family members who are battling for their lives in many different ways.  Some are facing life threatening cancers and illness.  Others struggle against addictions and spiritual disease.  Some face financial uncertainty or others depression and loneliness.  Seeing all these things together is quite overwhelming and I ask myself, what can I do to help or can I only look on?

For instance, my husband's niece has a 22 year old daughter with advanced brain cancer.  She has undergone two surgeries and a third was recommended this past week.  A large cyst has filled the cavity where the mass was removed in her last surgery.  Her parents have asked us to pray that this cyst would reduce on its own.  

Sitting here, I asked myself, what is the purpose of these experiences?  And immediately the answer came in the form of another question, "If we did not experience these trials would we feel the need to call on God?"

And so I pray for my own faith to grow and for blessings of health, comfort and relief to come to those I care about.  Perhaps each prayer opens a small portal into heaven where the angels sit to do God's bidding.  And one by one these ministering angels or special guardians deliver power and healing or understanding to our hands and hearts.

Purpose - Poem

     Purpose

What is my purpose?  A mother said,

   As from a worn book, to her child, she read,

Each task repeated from the day before,

   Cook, wash, clean and iron, then vacuum the floor.

What is my purpose?  A mother said,

   As she listened, comforted and tucked into bed,

Repeating, “I love you”, for the hundredth time,

   “Good night, Sleep tight,” echoed the rhyme.

What is my purpose?  She humbly knelt,

   Warming, sweet comfort, she tenderly felt,

As God listened, comforted and tucked into bed,

   “Good night, Sleep tight.  I love you,” He said.

                     Janice Harten
        Copyright © 2011 Janice Harten.  All rights reserved.

Nephi's purpose in writing

I sometimes wonder who, if anyone, will read what I have written.  And if no one reads it, what is it's purpose?  I am surprised, that in spite of a lack of readership, I feel a strong desire to continue writing about my thoughts, experiences, and testimony.

The other day, reading in the Book of Mormon I reread these passages, written by Nephi, 

"For the fulness of mine intent is that I may ^apersuade men to^bcome unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.

Wherefore, the things which are ^apleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world."

I thought about Nephi's purpose for keeping records, to bless his posterity, and anyone who would believe.  And he wrote not just one record, but at least two that he speaks of.  Nephi's record was written 600 years before the birth of Christ, and it was buried in the earth for many centuries after Christ's birth.  Yet, the Lord preserved it for a purpose, and his voice and testimony is now read and heard throughout the world.

I trust that some small good will come from my words, for the sake of my posterity, in the Lord's time.

A New Frontier

I am entering a new frontier, starting this blog.  In an era when many people fear too much information is being made public, I am running against the grain and will be posting some personal thoughts, poems and experiences.  My purpose is to share part of my life, and give encouragement to those I love.  And if someone else benefits in some small way, I will consider that a tender mercy.