WE TRULY HAVE A PARTNER IN GOD

I went through this period recently and well I have to say this is not just a recent thing, but something that comes up in my life from time to time.  Where I feel confused about certain aspects of my life and truly believe that I am lost and confused wandering around the desert.  That is not a fun experience.  I'm sure we have all had those times in life.  I tend to swirl into them in a big way.  But on Sunday at church the whole 3 meetings were all about how we are not alone.  In fact Jeffrey R. Holland one of our Apostles, said that Jesus did the alone thing in the garden of Gethsemane so we don't have to.  We have the ability and freedom to pray at any time, anywhere. 

In fact  I was just reading a story about prisoners that were not allowed to pray out loud to God and if they were caught doing so, they were put to death.  Horrible!  But they realized they didn't need to vocalize out loud they could pray in their hearts silently and still be heard.  Isn't it amazing that no one, no matter how evil, can cut us off from our relationship to God. 

Now this brings up an interesting topic.  Prayer.  There are so many different kinds of prayers.  But I have come to a place of realizing that the most effective kind of prayer for me is when I ask questions.  Or I simply say "what would you like to say to me today? "  When you think about it, this is exactly what Joseph Smith did.  He very sincerely, and simply asked God what church he should join because he was confused.  Its says if we lack wisdom we can always go to God and ask and God will tell us the answer. 

Now for some reason I forget this when I am most confused.  However, when I do remember I receive the most clear, the most brilliant suggestions, answers ever.  Like Nephi in the Book of Mormon it seems if we are willing to ask and even ask the big questions about life, God, the universe etc.  God is happy to tell us.  I think He is willing to talk to anyone who cares enough to want to know about the mysteries of His Kingdom.  For me sometimes I am just asking about my life, much like Joseph Smith was doing. 

But other times I want to know about something much greater.  Always I get an answer, some really amazing answers actually.  So I have learned that God is more than willing, waiting really for us to come to Him and speak with him and LISTEN.   He has lots to say.  But a lot of times I think we keep Him silent by us just talking and then saying good-bye. 

Often I know I am wanting an answer, yet I am so caught up in my confusion and upset about being confused or in need, that I don't let Him speak.  I can imagine how frustrated He must feel, and how much He must feel pain watching us when we do this.  In fact when President Uchtdorf came and spoke to us at a special Stake Conference we had last year, I noticed he didn't even use the word "pray" he said for us to communicate and spend time conversing with God. 

I have to admit sometimes my prayers are not great communications.  If I spoke to my friends like that they would think I was rude.   Sometimes they are rushed, me just quickly saying a bunch of thank-yous, and a few requests and then hanging up.  I could see how that would go over if I did that to a friend on the phone.  LOL  Thank goodness God is kind and merciful and lets me try again. When I take the time to truly converse, have a real conversation, I feel intimate with God, I don't feel alone, and I do get answers, suggestions, guidance etc.  I even get deep understandings about the Kingdom of God, and the mysteries of life, if I ask. 

With all my spiritual searchings over the years I must have read hundreds of books, attended every type of Christian church there was, as well as New Thought churches, participated in so many Eastern philosophy groups, and the Earth based ones like Wicca and Native, etc with a hungry heart trying so hard to feel that connection to God.  Wanting so badly to know the Truth.  I am so glad  I do know the Truth now, and I am so happy to have more and more of the Truth being revealed to me all the time. 

But I can honestly say that this has happened, my greatest guidance has come, my biggest questions and deepest confusions have been cleared up when I simply opened up to God and truly poured out my heart and listened.   Then sometimes I am given audible words right there, other times I am guided to books or people that help me.  That is exactly how I found the Church.  I finally just really prayed and poured out my heart and asked for help and then was led to The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints.  But this was after years of just running around on my own steam trying out everything out there.  So true communication with God is always available to us.  

We need to understand what a blessing this is!  How fortunate we are to be able to do this.  How silly to take forgranted that the Creator of the whole universe is willing to talk with us and give us any help we want.  I think it does come down to remembering that God truly is our Heavenly Father, we are His children so of course He wants to speak to us.  Of course He wants to help us.  He wants us to listen to His wisdom to follow His guidance.  And the good news here is we have 3 personages to help us.  Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  That is quite a team, the best team, the greatest most Divine team.  So are we alone, doing life by ourselves, no.  Never.  And Hallelujah to that!!!

Today I take the time to truly communicate to God.  If I am confused I take my questions to God and ask and then listen.  I leave behind the illusion that I am alone in the universe.  I will remember that I have a loving Heavenly Father who longs to  have an intimate relationship with me, who is more than happy to answer my questions, give me guidance and clarity.  I also remember that Jesus Christ is also here and so is the Holy Spirit.  I am surrounded by the Presence of Heaven as I call upon them, and communicate to them.