FOOD FOR THE SPIRT--My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee

Today's post is going to sound a little like an infomercial for a minute, so feel free to imagine my head tipped to the side and my teeth sparkle on cue:

Do you ever feel deserted? Do you ever feel that the promised blessings of the Lord are "lost or filed under someone else's name?" (Spencer J. Condie, "Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 18 ) Do you ever feel completely overwhelmed by lists of what needs to be done, and underwhelmed by the help you receive in accomplishing your tasks? Do you feel unappreciated? Do you feel criticized by others? Do you feel bankrupt of the energy you need to accomlish those things that will fulfill your divine potential? Do you feel frightened of getting up again and giving it one more try, because you might fail?

If so, you're a lot like me. I have wondered all of these things at some point in my life. I have felt tired, frustrated, tired, discouraged, tired, alone, tired, confused, tired, depressed. Did I mention that I often feel TIRED?!

But just when I am feeling sorry for myself, just when I truly feel that I cannot go on another day, just when I feel completely alone in my struggles to lose weight, be a good parent, get out of debt: whatever, then I DO feel the love of my Savior. These conflicts, trials, and challenges bring me to my knees and I find sweet relief time and time again as I turn to the Lord. One blog reader reminded me yesterday of a sweet and poetically beautiful passage of scripture which reminds us all of why it's worth it to just "keep on keeping on. . . "

2 Nephi 22:10-12

"For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."

"O tho afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted! Behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires."

"And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones."

What a beautiful promise! His kindness and love for us will NEVER depart! I feel so much comfort just hearing those words. It means so much to me to know that the Savior is not just some abstract, stuffy religious relic, but He truly is my FRIEND. As my brother, His love for me is unconditional.

This same blog reader introduced me to a song that I would love for you to hear which is based on these beautiful verses. Thanks again, Nicole! You can listen to this beautiful song at this link:

http://www.archive.org/details/MyKindnessShallNotDepartFromThee