Day 35: Today's post is going to come from my studies, because that is all my life is and will be for these last two weeks of the semester (blah). For my Art History class I decided to do a report on Vermeer particularly his painting of "Woman Putting On Pearls" and "Woman Holding a Balance." I've enjoyed reading the various interpretations of them and all the wild guessing as to what Vermeer was trying to say. I have a particular fondness for the "Woman Holding a Balance" because she sits in my living room. My mom gave me a copy of her after we went on a mother daughter date together to look at the National Art Gallery in Washington. It was there that we were given my favorite of the many interpretations.
This picture is of a woman, possibly with child, who is holding a balance. In front of her is a box of jewels and behind her is a picture of the second coming. In this intimate and private moment this woman is caught contemplating the balance of justice in front of a mirror of truth. It is said that we are looking in on a moment when this woman is faced to choose which holds more value for her attention, the material objects in front of her or the truth and justice of Christ who will soon come again. My mom gave this picture to me to serve as that same reminder: Remember what matters most.
I particularly like the detail that she is about to bring new life into this world. She is about to be a mother, a teacher, an example and how now more than ever it is important that she remember what matters most in this life and that she be able to teach that to her child. As mothers we have an important duty to teach our children and share with them the importance of Christ, His love, and His gospel. I'm glad my mom took the time to teach that to me.
The material things, the luxuries and honors of this world are not what will matter in the long run. The kindness that we share, the devotion that we give, and the faith that we have is what will matter in the end. This life is but a brief moment and there is so little we can take with us when it ends. I hope that what I gain in this life will mostly be made up of that which I can take with me.
Both paintings echo this sentiment that time here is fleeting and should not be wasted on that which doesn't matter. #40daysoflent #LentChallenge2014
(Although the jury is still out for me on the woman putting on pearls- I just think it is too lovely to have such a reprimanding message of "don't be vain.")
This picture is of a woman, possibly with child, who is holding a balance. In front of her is a box of jewels and behind her is a picture of the second coming. In this intimate and private moment this woman is caught contemplating the balance of justice in front of a mirror of truth. It is said that we are looking in on a moment when this woman is faced to choose which holds more value for her attention, the material objects in front of her or the truth and justice of Christ who will soon come again. My mom gave this picture to me to serve as that same reminder: Remember what matters most.
I particularly like the detail that she is about to bring new life into this world. She is about to be a mother, a teacher, an example and how now more than ever it is important that she remember what matters most in this life and that she be able to teach that to her child. As mothers we have an important duty to teach our children and share with them the importance of Christ, His love, and His gospel. I'm glad my mom took the time to teach that to me.
The material things, the luxuries and honors of this world are not what will matter in the long run. The kindness that we share, the devotion that we give, and the faith that we have is what will matter in the end. This life is but a brief moment and there is so little we can take with us when it ends. I hope that what I gain in this life will mostly be made up of that which I can take with me.
Both paintings echo this sentiment that time here is fleeting and should not be wasted on that which doesn't matter. #40daysoflent #LentChallenge2014
(Although the jury is still out for me on the woman putting on pearls- I just think it is too lovely to have such a reprimanding message of "don't be vain.")
Day 35: Pray. I know that God hears our prayers. He answers them too. Prayers are answered in many ways. Countless even. Through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Through the hands of another. Through patient waiting. Through journaling. Through scripture study.
Sometimes it's hard to know them, but the answers do come.
I had a humbling experience with prayer yesterday. I have had something bothering me for a couple of weeks now. Thinking about it brought me great anxiety. Much of the situation is out of my hands and I wasn't sure how to react to it. While praying about it yesterday a few simple words came to my mind. I had known these words before, but had forgotten them.
They are found in my Patriarchal Blessing, a blessing given to anyone who desires. It is the only blessing that I know of that is written down so you can reference it and study it. It is filled with promises that will be fulfilled as one chooses to live the laws of God.
My prayer had already been answered before I had even given it, but it took me coming to The Lord to receive the quiet whisperings of the answer I was seeking.
Not all prayers are answered so quickly and surly, in fact most of mine are not.
It is with faith that I pray continually to my Father in Heaven who knows me best. I can feel His love.
Ann #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Sometimes it's hard to know them, but the answers do come.
I had a humbling experience with prayer yesterday. I have had something bothering me for a couple of weeks now. Thinking about it brought me great anxiety. Much of the situation is out of my hands and I wasn't sure how to react to it. While praying about it yesterday a few simple words came to my mind. I had known these words before, but had forgotten them.
They are found in my Patriarchal Blessing, a blessing given to anyone who desires. It is the only blessing that I know of that is written down so you can reference it and study it. It is filled with promises that will be fulfilled as one chooses to live the laws of God.
My prayer had already been answered before I had even given it, but it took me coming to The Lord to receive the quiet whisperings of the answer I was seeking.
Not all prayers are answered so quickly and surly, in fact most of mine are not.
It is with faith that I pray continually to my Father in Heaven who knows me best. I can feel His love.
Ann #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Day 35: God honors the law of sacrifice. When you give Him something, He blesses you with something far greater. If you want to learn truth and the mysteries of God, the sacrifice He has asked for is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
I am still figuring out the law of a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit, but here is what I do understand.
Those moments when I go before the Lord with true humility, a really contrite spirit, expecting nothing in return, He has always revealed far more truth than I ever imagined.
Those moments when I have gone to Him with a broken heart, desiring nothing other than God's will, laying aside my personal wants and desires, He has mended my broken heart with a balm of truth, vision, and wisdom.
I have experienced in my own life that those moments that have left me the most contrite, the most broken hearted, have been the precursors to revelations of truth. And the moments when I willingly humbled myself and submitted my will to God without outside influence or circumstance, the revelation and truth that was given far exceeded those moments when I was compelled to be humble and submit.
God wants to reveal His mysteries to His children. He intends for us to seek for truth. But He keeps truth safe guarded behind the sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit. Because when God reveals a truth to His children, He holds them accountable to the truth they have received.
If you are willing to give a broken heart and a contrite spirit, He knows you are ready for the truth. If you want to find truth, you have to be willing to pay the price.
I promise you the blessings that come far outweigh the perceived cost of a broken heart and contrite spirit. Because after you have paid the price, God mends your heart, bolsters your spirit, and you get to have the truth too.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
I am still figuring out the law of a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit, but here is what I do understand.
Those moments when I go before the Lord with true humility, a really contrite spirit, expecting nothing in return, He has always revealed far more truth than I ever imagined.
Those moments when I have gone to Him with a broken heart, desiring nothing other than God's will, laying aside my personal wants and desires, He has mended my broken heart with a balm of truth, vision, and wisdom.
I have experienced in my own life that those moments that have left me the most contrite, the most broken hearted, have been the precursors to revelations of truth. And the moments when I willingly humbled myself and submitted my will to God without outside influence or circumstance, the revelation and truth that was given far exceeded those moments when I was compelled to be humble and submit.
God wants to reveal His mysteries to His children. He intends for us to seek for truth. But He keeps truth safe guarded behind the sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit. Because when God reveals a truth to His children, He holds them accountable to the truth they have received.
If you are willing to give a broken heart and a contrite spirit, He knows you are ready for the truth. If you want to find truth, you have to be willing to pay the price.
I promise you the blessings that come far outweigh the perceived cost of a broken heart and contrite spirit. Because after you have paid the price, God mends your heart, bolsters your spirit, and you get to have the truth too.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
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