DAY 268 -- SCRIPTURES

I have been too busy to read my scriptures lately.  (What an excuse...)  I found myself not feeling positive.  I found myself not singing songs of joy.  I found myself doubting the circumstances I live in with my son and his family.  I found myself lamenting that things were not going as "I" thought they should.  I was not as outgoing as I usually like to be. 

I didn't tell anyone, I just lived my lonely life, my frustration with things not showing to anyone, but I was not happy, or as happy as I usually am around anyone else.

Then I realized that I needed to get back into my scriptures.  Bonnie has us both on a schedule to read the Book of Mormon twice each year, so we are now entering Alma, to finish in December. So this morning and the last morning I read trying to catch up to where I should have been all along.

As I read those wonderful words in the Book of Mormon, I started to realized how much I missed reading those words every morning.  I started to reclaim my faith in Father's loving care and knowledge of where I am and what is going on in my life.  My patience increased and I started to feel good, positive and compassionate once again.  I was more outgoing, happier than I was when I missed a few days of my reading scriptures.

I know why the brethren counsel us to read scriptures each day.  It isn't necessarily for the counsel we will receive, the lessons we can learn reading them.  But one reason we have been counseled to read, at least for me, is to feel that Spirit of the book, of the scriptures.  With feeling that sweet Spirit of the scriptures, I could see what I was missing without reading them. 

I am just expressing what I experienced.  Everyone else may not experience what I did, but I sure learned how important it is to touch bases with the infinite daily.  I need it.  I can feel Father's love when I read His words.  When I don't, I regress.  And especially when we are preparing to go on a mission, I better learn that lesson very well.  I hope I never find another time when I "don't have time" for the scriptures.