The Hand of God - (sorry long post)

[Seeker1]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I wasn't sure where to go, but for some reason, out of the hundreds of LDS blogs and chat rooms, I chose this one. I am looking for people of faith to share their stories of times when they have seen the hand of God in their lives. All of us feel a certain longing for home that is sometimes buried deep inside and at other times is very close to the surface. We experience a silent conviction that we are strangers here and at times our souls feel isolated and alone. However, when we can see the hand of God in our lives through extraordinary events or circumstances (miracles anyone?), it acts like a “call from home” that reassures us that our Father is mindful of us and that we are not alone.

I think that in today's world of negative press and horror stories from around the world in the media that people need the reassurance that God lives and intervenes in the lives of His children. I want to compile personal stories from "just plain folks", members or not, that are examples of the hand of God touching their lives and publish them to spread the message that life is full of miracles.

Anyone who wants to contribute to this project of faith and share their story is invited to email me their story at [email protected]. Contributors will get a free copy of the compiled work.

I feel a strong sense of urgency about this project, a sense of mission. These experiences can range from the very sacred to the most mundane. The connecting link is their meaning to the individual. However, I am convinced that there are no “small moments” and that every day can be a reminder that I am a child of God and He loves me.

This is already a long post, so I will share one of my experiences with all of you in my next post. If you feel inspired to do so, send me your personal story(s). Thanks

[skalenfehl]

Welcome to the forum. Best wishes on your project. :)

[Truegrits]

HI, Seeker1...Welcome! :)

[Seeker1]

This is an example of a simple, mundane experience, but one that spoke directly to my heart.

One recent experience exemplifies a “small moment” that had a special meaning just for me. It is precisely its trivial nature that makes it all the more meaningful, because it means that God must know me personally, what I love and what gives me joy. I love nature and wildlife. Maybe that is why I was a biology major in college. (There appears to have been no other good reason.) It gives me great peace to be out in nature and see wildlife in its natural state. Over the last few months I have started walking and running in a large park near our home. It is very common for me to see deer, rabbit and an occasional armadillo on my evening walks, although you have to be alert and look closely or you’ll miss them. When my wife asks me how my walk was, my answer always includes excited statements like, “Wow, today I saw a newborn fawn!” or “I saw two armadillos. It was awesome!” (Yeah, I know. It’s a little weird, but I really enjoy it.) While I like running, I have always felt that you miss seeing things when you hurry through the park, so I run until I’m tired and then I walk for a while. Also, instead of staying on the paved paths, I prefer to use the narrow dirt trails the bikers use because it makes me feel closer to nature. I enjoy the trail’s twists and turns deep among the trees.

One day I was running down one of the dirt trails going around a bend and a bicyclist suddenly appeared out of nowhere coming the other way. I had to quickly jump out of the way to avoid a collision. I was lucky to find a niche in the bushes wide enough in which to stop. The bicyclist pedaled on by and, slightly annoyed, I was about to resume my run, when I heard a quiet rustling of leaves near my feet. Always alert to telltale noises that announce the presence of one of my woodland “friends”, I looked down to see what the source of the noise was. I couldn’t see anything. I bent down to take a closer look. As I looked closely, among a pile of dried leaves, I saw a small turtle who had buried itself in the leaves. I had never seen a turtle in the park before. I was so pleased and enchanted by this little guy, that I just stood and enjoyed its presence for a few minutes.

Now, if this had happened to someone else, they might not even care about seeing a turtle. They might have grumped about “young whipper-snappers on bicycles” and not even bothered to look down. They would have missed this miniature drama of life played out on the forest floor, going on about their life without even noticing. But, because it happened to me, and because I love seeing wildlife as much as I do, it had a wonderful effect on my experience that day. I reflected on how this impromptu “meeting” with my little forest friend would not have happened without the interruption of the careening bicyclist at just that moment. I then thought about when that rider had to leave wherever it was he left from, to meet me just there. How that small clearing where the turtle was hiding was the only place of refuge I could jump to given the short notice of the bicycle’s approach. Of course, when I got home I excitedly told my wife all about it. My day was made brighter by a “small moment” in the woods of south Texas. Not just by seeing God’s hand in nature, but by seeing God’s hand in the routine, everyday events of my life.

Share your experiences of seeing God's hand in your life, or as Elder Bednar called it, "God's tender mercies", by emailing me at [email protected] and/or post it here on this thread for the blessing of all. Thanks.

[candyprpl]

Welcome -- I really look forward to hearing more from you and good luck on this project of your's. I will send you my story. I have been so blessed since turning my life over to our Savior! And I give Heavenly Father all the glory for the plan of salvation that has given me so much to live for!

-Candace

[skalenfehl]

I shared an experience a while ago. This was such a neat experience and it verified to me that nothing is impossible with the Lord. I know that God truly wishes us to have joy in life:

May 6, 2008

Today while working on my yard and trying to fix my sprinkler system, I was startled by the flapping wings of a hummingbird above me in my garage. The poor little thing couldn't find its way out and hovered all over the ceiling as it tried to find a way up or out. I thought about how I could get it out, but it was very fast moving. I tried to gently guide it out with my snow shovel but I just ended up scaring it. I was really concerned that I wouldn't be able to safely let it out of my garage. I decided to take a more positive approach. I prayed earnestly in my heart that the Lord would let me just get it with my hand and take it out. I really wanted this little creature to make it out unharmed and this is the only way I could think of to make sure I didn't hurt it.

Lo and behold the little fella perched itself on the wires of my garage door opener above my car and it looked at me. I slowly climbed up on the hood of my car hoping not to scare it. I then climbed up slowly to the top of my car and it still stood there looking at me, not moving. Believe it or not I reached up past the garage door motor and it still did not move. I wrapped my hand around its little body and carefully pulled its tiny feet from the wire with my other hand. I was elated as I looked at the little guy just barely poking its head through my fingers. It was so small. I carefully climbed back down my car and walked outside and released it.

What a wonderful experience that was! I was thankful that God answered my prayer and I know that He cares about all of His creatures, even as tiny as a hummingbird. I know that anything that we ask of God is granted us, if it is expedient in Him.

Edited July 1, 2008 by skalenfehl
grammar

[Seeker1]

Thanks candyprpl! I look forward to reading your story. I share your feelings of being blessed WAY beyond what I deserve. It's really humbling.

-Seeker1

[Seeker1]

Great story skahlenfehl! It shows that love dissolves barriers...and God answers even the most simple prayers.

[Seeker1]

I have a wonderful story I wanted to share, but it was so long that I went to the home page of this site and put it in a new blog under the same name, The Hand of God. I figured maybe a blog could be longer than a post. I'm new to all this, so I don't know all the proper protocols. Blogs » the hand of god » LDS Mormon Network

Edited July 1, 2008 by Seeker1

[Hemidakota]

Sift through the "Personal Belief' area of this forum...

[Seeker1]

Thanks for the tip, Hemidakota! I appreciate a senior member helping me around the site.

Here is the link to the blog of my more serious story. Blogs » the hand of god » LDS Mormon Network