Last weekend on my way home from my shift at the temple (literally - on the way home), I got hit with a nasty sinus infection. I've had so many of them over the years that I know the drill pretty well. The headache, the cough, the plugged ears, the stuffed up nose, you name it. A classic case. And it has been all I could do to get through the last week.
For days I hoped and prayed that I would get healthy quickly. Aside from just hating the misery of sinus infections, I knew that I needed to be able to fulfill my temple assignment, and not be a distraction to the patrons or my fellow workers. And I prayed daily that a miracle would occur so that I could get to the temple yesterday.
Missing an assignment is a pretty serious thing, and it leaves all the other temple workers in quite a pickle as they try to make up for someone else's absence. So I was very concerned about the impact this would have should I miss. I went to bed Friday night and worried over it most of the night, all while coughing uncontrollably.
Yesterday morning I woke up, and I just knew there was no way that I'd be able to do my duty. I just did not have the strength or the stamina. I could barely move from my bed. I prayed to know what to do, and how to make arrangements to not be there. I got up from my prayer, and went into my bathroom, and as I did, the words from a hymn came to my mind - "finding strength beyond my own" (from the hymn 'Lord, I Would Follow Thee'). At that moment, I was indeed filled with a strength beyond my own, and I knew I would be able to fulfill my assignment.
A couple of hours later, extra prepared with a bag of cough drops, extra ibuprofen, and decongestants, I was on my way. I have to say that it did end up being a very long day, but other than a coughing fit during an initiatory ordinance, I made it through with very few issues. Then I crashed and burned as soon as I got home.
I know that I was helped yesterday, and that I couldn't have made it through any other way than with the Lord's help. The lesson here is that I need to remember that it's not about me, but it's about the Lord's work. And as we put forth the effort, his grace will make up the rest, and give us strength and ability beyond our own.
For days I hoped and prayed that I would get healthy quickly. Aside from just hating the misery of sinus infections, I knew that I needed to be able to fulfill my temple assignment, and not be a distraction to the patrons or my fellow workers. And I prayed daily that a miracle would occur so that I could get to the temple yesterday.
Missing an assignment is a pretty serious thing, and it leaves all the other temple workers in quite a pickle as they try to make up for someone else's absence. So I was very concerned about the impact this would have should I miss. I went to bed Friday night and worried over it most of the night, all while coughing uncontrollably.
Yesterday morning I woke up, and I just knew there was no way that I'd be able to do my duty. I just did not have the strength or the stamina. I could barely move from my bed. I prayed to know what to do, and how to make arrangements to not be there. I got up from my prayer, and went into my bathroom, and as I did, the words from a hymn came to my mind - "finding strength beyond my own" (from the hymn 'Lord, I Would Follow Thee'). At that moment, I was indeed filled with a strength beyond my own, and I knew I would be able to fulfill my assignment.
A couple of hours later, extra prepared with a bag of cough drops, extra ibuprofen, and decongestants, I was on my way. I have to say that it did end up being a very long day, but other than a coughing fit during an initiatory ordinance, I made it through with very few issues. Then I crashed and burned as soon as I got home.
I know that I was helped yesterday, and that I couldn't have made it through any other way than with the Lord's help. The lesson here is that I need to remember that it's not about me, but it's about the Lord's work. And as we put forth the effort, his grace will make up the rest, and give us strength and ability beyond our own.
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