This week I have been pondering a lot about being led by the Spirit. I think this is the one thing I miss the most about the mission, because I felt like every day all day was led by the Spirit. Down to the smallest decision made by my companion to go and get White Castle at 8:30p.m. because we didn't have dinner that day and I was about to leave Indiana without experiencing White Castle. Then when we were there we were able to talk to two people about the Gospel who I believe strongly needed it that day! If the Spirit can lead us to White Castle for those people, the Spirit can do anything God needs Him to do! As a missionary, I was devoting all of my time to God, and constantly was asking and confirming with Him what He needed me to do, but since then I haven't felt the need to ask Him every day and every hour to lead me, hence the lack of feeling led by the Spirit.
In the Book of Mormon, Nephi is asked to go to Jerusalem to get the Brass Plates. He doesn't understand fully why he has been asked to do so, but he says, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." (1 Nephi 4:6) And it hit me just the other day, that I do not need to be on a mission to be led by the Spirit all the time. I just need to ask the Spirit to lead me and He will.
Tuesday was a beautiful day outside. Nice and warm, a perfect day to lay by the pool after work and relax. I hadn't planned on doing anything after work, but during the middle of the work day I just had a thought to go to the temple. I decided to act on that thought, and a lot more thoughts kept coming. While I was in the temple I had a thought to do something in there that I don't normally do and have only done once in the last two years. Then when I was working in the temple, I had the thought to go to Desert Book after I was done. I bought the book "Women and the Priesthood" by Sheri Dew, because I had the thought that I need to get that and read it. At Desert Book I met a women who had come from the temple and was waiting until the temple was closed because she was going to go in and clean it. (Side note, what a wonderful way to serve, cleaning the temple is on my to-do list!) Her and I had a wonderful conversation, and I was just so thankful that I was led (by the Spirit) to be at that store at that moment to meet her. I was also thankful for the answers I received in the temple. And I am thankful I have this new Sheri Dew book to read! Tuesday did not turn out the way I planned it at all, but at the end of the day, I knew I was led by the Spirit! And that made it truly the Best Day Ever!
I have a strong testimony in the Holy Ghost. He is a member of the Godhead who takes on SO many different roles in our lives. I am thankful that I was given the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and that I have the privilege of having Him as my constant companion. And even though it may not be as noticeable as it was on the mission, I am thankful for the every day things that He leads me to do!
