Sunday Thoughts

As children, many learn this little prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake
I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take.

Having graduated from that sweet little prayer to more personal, intimate, and specific prayers many years ago, I still love that little prayer.

This has been on my mind lately.  If I were to die (well, when I die!) what would I want my family and friends to know that I believe?

First, that I love you all whole-heartedly. 

And then, to know that I love our Savior, Jesus Christ, with every fiber of my being.  He has made it possible for me to live again after death, and to live with Him, our heavenly parents, and our dear family members who have preceded us to the other side.  That is such a glorious concept and one I hold absolutely to be true.

Jesus Christ came to this earth as a tiny baby, just like each of us did.  He was raised by mortal parents, just like we were.  He lived an unblemished life, unlike us, in which He showed us the way to live and be happy.  As I have tried to follow His example, I have been happy.  When I have veered in a different direction, I have been miserable...so for years now, I have chosen to be happy and have done my best to live by the principles Jesus taught...to love God and to love and serve our fellow beings. 

It brings me great joy to occasionally do some good thing that appears to bless the life of another.  Those times make me want to do good things more often.  I feel that Jesus and Heavenly Father smile on me at those good times.

When the day comes that I get to join family and friends on the other side, I will rejoice. I will not fear.  It will be a glorious homecoming I am absolutely certain.  While I will miss my dear ones here, I know they, in their turn, will be joining us one day.  And think of all the things we have wondered about that we will instantly know!!  And other things we will come to know as we reside there and continue learning.  Wonderful!