Thursday, April 11, 2013

Help From Both Sides of the Veil

Several days ago I had a really rough day. I'm still not really sure what triggered it or why I felt so down, but I did. Both my parents were gone, and it was only my pre-teen brother and I in the house. But, he was outside gathering sticks for a campfire. So I was left alone with my feelings.
Aaaand, my feelings felt awful. I'll spare you the details, but I was miserable. So, I texted some of my closest friends and tried to lean on them for comfort. I told them how I felt and they responded as best as they could with hopeful words to comfort me. However as much as they tried, it didn't work. I just couldn't be happy. So, I prayed. Usually that is one of the first things I do when I'm upset, but that day I think I was being stubborn. But I communed with my God and told Him how I was feeling. Then, I asked Him to please send me an angel to comfort me. I know that He does send angels in times of need, whether we see them or not, and I knew then that He would if I asked. At the conclusion of my prayer, I felt a little better. Soon, though, I began crying again and felt just the same as I had before praying.
I carried on like this for a while, until I head a knock at my door. Knowing it was my little brother, I quickly pretended I was asleep. I didn't want him to see me like that. He walked in and shook me "awake".  My brother asked me if I would gather sticks in the woods with him. But I was in no mood for any such activity. I grunted a "no", but he kept begging. Soon, he began poking and tickling me in an attempt to force me to a standing position. Somehow, I think he truly believed that poking me would totally make me want to change my mind. But I was miserable, so why should I collect sticks with him? I didn't even want to.
After a few minutes of enduring his harassment, however, a thought suddenly came to mind, "You prayed for an angel to comfort you. Here he is!" The thought startled me, but it made me laugh. This boy, this goofball who was currently driving me crazy, was only trying to show love. He really wanted to be with me. He could probably tell that something wasn't right with me, and that was his way of trying to help. A sudden surge of affection for my little brother flowed through me. I stood and agreed to accompany him. The delight on his face was priceless, and I immediately felt better.
That day proved true the words of Elder Holland when this conference he said, "...[when dealing with trials] the Lord will send help from both sides of the veil." I know this is the case.

My brother and I.

5 comments:

  1. I love this, Whitney! You are so blessed to have the strength to recognize and act on those promptings. What a sweet post. :)

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    1. Thank you so much! I love your comments! They always brighten my day!

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  2. This is SUCH a cute story!!!! Love!!! Next time one of my little siblings is "bugging" me, I'll remember that they're really just trying to love me :)

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  3. This IS BEAUTIFUL! :D And one is never too old to have such moments of sorrow and need for comfort... I am "over the hill" yet I had a similar experience yesterday. I was so down and didn't really know why. Emotions had been building for days and suddenly, right after my husband left for work it was like a dam broke and I just started crying. I too, prayed for comfort. I talked to my mom on the phone and she spoke of our angels helping us. I KNOW she prayed for angels to lift me up. And they did... A few minutes later I had an angel on this side of the veil as well. It was my husband. He ran into the house (thought I cried AFTER he left) directly towards me, and before he could see that I had been crying he said, "I just felt I needed to come home and give you a hug." I believe I had angels on both sides rooting for me yesterday. I am SO THANKFUL for them all! :D
    Hugs to you. I hope you are still feeling well. :D

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  4. Thank you!!! It is so incredible how many angels we always have around us and we don't even know it.

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