A Trip to the Bookstore

Day ninety-four

This morning I am grateful for a family that loves each other and is willing to work together.  As we tried to balance watching conference and doing our chores this weekend, we were like a sports team, each member had to be mindful of our time and make the appropriate effort to make the most of it.  It was not always a smooth transition from one event to another, but we accomplished all that needed to be done, and still had time to enjoy each other.  It is not always like this, I think the Spirit that comes with watching conference helped.  So my prayer was focused on gratitude for the opportunity we have to watch conference, for the Spirit in my home, and my family's love for one another.  May God keep blessing us!

Genesis 41 

This weekend my family went to the the bookstore in search of a textbook for my son.  As usual we couldn't resist checking out the other books, we love books at our house.  The plan usually goes like this, each member of my family goes off to their own aisle searching for a book that interests them and then we meet up to check out.  I went to my favorite section, found some books, and was ready to search for my family.  As I was looking for them I came around the corner of a display to find my three men having a conversation about where to find me.  I stopped and listened, their answer was immediate and they all agreed, "Check the Religion section." I stepped out from behind the display so that they could see me and the first words they say to me are, "We were just heading to the Religion section to look for you."  I smiled.

It seems silly, but that experience has been on my mind all weekend.  I am so predictable, they knew with assurance that I would be in the Religion section.  They had complete confidence in their decision to look for me there.  Was this a good thing? 

I know that my family relies on me to be an example of what I believe, but with that comes the pressure to never make a mistake and the need for constant preparation.  It can be exhausting sometimes, it is the hardest job I have ever had, other people's salvation can be affected by my choices.  Who needs this kind of pressure?  I do, it comes with the job of being a Christian mother, wife, sibling, and friend.  The great thing is I don't have to do the job alone, the Lord is with me. 

I learned a little more about the Lord being with me today as I studied Genesis 41:38:

"And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?"

That's the key to our success as a Christian, being a man or woman in whom the Spirit of God is.  There are special gifts that are endowed on someone when they allow the Spirit to not only be with them, but in them. 

The Jewish Publication Society Torah Commentary on Genesis states:

"Generally, possession of the "spirit of God" impels one to undertake a mission (Num 27:18-23), imparts extraordinary energy and drive (Judges 3:10; 11:29), and produces uncommon intelligence and practical wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-30)."

As Joseph stood before Pharaoh interpreting his dreams and sharing the plan of saving for the plenteous seven years to cover for the lean seven years, do you think he knew that Pharaoh would choose him to run the program, let alone make him second in command over the land?  What a huge undertaking this would be for someone who had been a slave or in prison for the last 13+ years.  I love what the scriptures say about Joseph's reaction to this: "And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:46).  He leaves and gets right to work!  There is no record of Joseph feeling inadequate or complaining, he just starts fulfilling his mission.  Wow!

I have been fortunate in my lifetime to have experienced some of the gifts that come from allowing the Spirit to be in me. As a young girl I dreamed of getting married and undertaking the mission of parenthood.  It is in this mission of my life that I have had the most spiritual gifts given to me.  The energy, drive, intelligence and wisdom needed to raise children is incredible, especially during these difficult times. It is through the gifts of the Spirit that we are able to succeed.  

Just as Pharaoh saw the "spirit of God" in Joseph, my family sees the Spirit in me. Even with all my imperfections, the Lord has still found a way for me to be an example of someone who has the Spirit in them. How grateful I am that the Lord is with me and my family. Who knew that a trip to the bookstore would lead to a study about the Spirit in my life? What an amazing God we have!