The Race

I can't think of a better way to start my week, then going to church.  I am what I would call a church junkie! Someone who would attend every sacrament meeting just to hear people talk and share their testimonies.  Aside from my kids struggling to get along on a day I consider very sacred, I love all that it overs me.

Today was like most Sundays only my ward had ward conference, because of a last minute cancellation I had the opportunity to fill in and play the piano for a musical number. I had only practiced a few times and I was completely confident until about five minutes before I got up to play.  I had said a prayer in the morning that I could be able to share the spirit through the song.  Five minutes before I had to go up my arms went numb, I decided to have my daughter help rotate music just in case of issues.

Everything was going smoothly and then I noticed the last page was partially covered, as I reached that point I lost my place for a split second trying to remember the music as it was written, my daughter turned to me and said, " it's okay, and I finished the last half of the last page of the song perfectly.  I was still a bit embarrassed at my fumble, but knew if I had played more than a few times I wouldn't have hesitated with the page covered.

I went to my seat feeling defeated, I had failed, how could I have had my answer to my prayer with a mistake, how could the spirit be felt. As the thought went through my mind my daughter gave me a flat tire, in case you don't know the term she stepped on the back of my shoe as I took a large step, and I looked like a goof who couldn't walk in heels.....my thought was, "can this walk of shame get any worse?" Tears filled my eyes, and I about let them flow free, but just at that moment the stake president got up and gave me a huge compliment.  I still felt defeated and left for just a moment to compose myself, I walked back in, head hung low and listened to the amazing talk about enduring to the end.

I got through the rest of the meeting wishing I had played something different but had thanked my Heavenly Father it wasn't any worse...just then a member of the Ward tapped my shoulder and I looked at him, tears in his eyes he said, "there were two spirit filled talks today, but nothing could compare to the spirit your piano playing brought". I began to tear up, and thanked him for the undeserving compliment. I went throughout the day with other compliments but I knew when he said those words to me that my father in heaven was letting me know on a personal level that he had heard my prayer and it was answered.

The rest of the lessons were amazing, spirit filled lessons, testimonies born, beautiful songs that depicted my life and what I needed to hear.  The last class the president that spoke retold a poem, "The Race Poem". I had heard it before but today the words touched my heart more than ever.  If you haven't read it do, it is a great way to relate it to almost all life's journeys.  The ups and of course the downs.  The story depicts a young boy in a race, and his father is there to cheer him on.  He is winning and excited thinking of how proud his father will be when he crosses the finish line, just then he falls, and he feels a bit defeated but hears a voice telling him to get up and finish the race....it happens over and over, and the last time he falls just lays there wanting to give up, and he hears the familiar voice say, "get up, get up and take your place. You weren't meant for failure here; get up and win the race" the boy rises, and continues to listen as he hears, "get up, you haven't lost at all, for winning is no more than this-to rise each time you fall."  The boy finished the race and because he endured the crowd is cheering him on more than the others just for finishing the race.

I needed this story, it was at that moment that I knew once again my father in heaven loved me and he is the one who cheers me on when life or the struggles in it have led me to want to just lay down and quit the race.  He is the one who sees me for the best.  I today did not do a challenge, why you might ask?

Because I felt Joy in me for finishing the song when I felt defeated.  I had finished the small race I had today.  Sunday was the best way to start my week, through the spirit I found some true Joy in
me!!!