Week 3: Strengthening my Relationship with Christ

This week's passage of scripture was 3 Nephi 13:14-21. This section is full of beautiful words and meaning, but I kept noticing that my attention was only drawn to the first two verses which focus on forgiveness.

How can I expect to be forgiven if I don't have a forgiving heart? Sure, maybe I forgive people here and there, but, as a whole, am I a forgiving person? Well, this week I learned again what I already knew. No, I am horrrrrible at forgiving.

I ended up having a nice long talk with God on Sunday. It was very overdue and much needed. I cried out in prayer to Him for help with the things I've been struggling with. I asked repentance for the first time in a long time. The longer I prayed, the more I felt my heart softening. I sat alone in the quiet with no expectation for a response. But it came.

LOVE YOUR HUSBAND.

It was exactly what I needed in that moment. And so, I encourage you to do the same. Before you get to a point of desperation like me, continually go to your Heavenly Father in prayer. I need to better at asking forgiveness. I need to be more humble. I need to be a lot of things! But what matters MOST to me, is nourishing the relationship I have with my eternal companion. And how would I even have that without the atonement of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of my Father in Heaven?

Though this still relates to the rest of the passage which says, "For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also." I would love to hear what other thoughts you had on the verses, so let me know!

Next week's passage is Alma 5:14-16. Enjoy the reading!

Week 2: Strengthening my Relationship with Christ

This week's scripture was John 14:23-27. I broke apart the verses and found some helpful principles within them.

Verse 23: Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

How do I show love to the Savior? By keeping His words, following His example, and trying to love others as He would. Literally W.W.J.D.? :)

Verse 24: He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

These words are not just the Savior's, but come straight from God. So listen up, Anna! And be obedient!

Verse 26: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

This week my husband had an experience where the Holy Ghost brought things to his remembrance that helped us a make a big decision for our family. If he wasn't living right and making an effort to be in tune with the spirit, he might not have been able to recall those things. And who knows, we might have ended up deciding to move to Mesa five weeks before this baby is born! No, thank you....

Verse 27: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This verse is so powerful to me. In the midst of a frustrating and confusing situation, I was able to go to bed every night last week feeling peaceful. Reading this last verse everyday reminded me that there is no need to have fear about the future. Our Savior's atonement provides us with anything we could possibly need to have joy in this life. And the next!

Please share any insights you gained!

Whether you are a week behind me or right on track, I hope you enjoy reading my journey to become closer to Jesus Christ. This week's passage is 3 Nephi 13:14-21. Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you read:

Is the Lord first in my life?

How can the Savior help me improve my thoughts and attitude?

Am I too busy with worldly matters and neglect what's important?

Week 1: Strengthening my Relationship with Christ

At church we are sticking to a 12 week reading schedule to help us develop a more personal relationship with our Savior. Each week we focus our study on a scripture or passage of scriptures that is provided. We ponder what that scripture means to us, write down our feelings, and answer questions that are provided as we feel prompted.

Last week's scripture was Helaman 5:12 in The Book of Mormon.

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Here are some of the questions I asked myself as I read and studied this scripture each day:

1. How do I show love for the Savior?
2. How can I seek the guidance of Christ more in my life?
3. How/Who does the Lord want me to serve?
4. Am I seeking Christ's help in all things?
5. Where does true happiness come from? Do I have it now?

The answers I had to some of these questions surprised me....
Am I even showing the Savior I love him at all? 
How foolish of me not to be seeking His guidance more in my daily life.
Are my eyes open to ways to serve others?
Am I happy?
I realized my main focus in life right now needs to be clarified....

How can I rely on Christ more in how I mother Cohen and how I love my husband?

By making this small change in my daily study, I have already noticed a difference in how much patience I have with my little boy who is just figuring out life. Tantrums and his need for independence can be so frustrating, but as I turn my focus to how the Savior would love him, I find more joy in overcoming those little bumps in the road with him. That has been a big change from how I previously felt during fits or fights! For more tips about parenting in a Christlike way, follow @simplyonpurpose on Instagram.

This week's scripture is John 14:23-27. Feel free to join me as I study this passage everyday!