I had an awesome opportunity to give a talk on Sunday about the blessings of tithing. At first I was frustrated with my assigned topic. We ALWAYS pay our tithing, and I have a very strong testimony of the blessings of tithing. However, I didn't want to give a talk on anything that had to do with money right then. I wanted to focus on the amazing things happening presently in my life... not the lack thereof. I prayed so hard about the topic. I wondered what insight I could offer others.
As I prayed about all these things, a beautiful experience took place:
In my talk, I shared this beautiful scripture from the Bible about tithing:
I had wanted the "windows of heaven" to open in the form of a new job. I had been so focused on our temporal needs, that I had forgotten how to settle more fully into Christ's arms and trust HIM.
Because of our struggles, my family and I have been compelled to do our best to increase our spiritual diligence in every area of life we can think of. (FARRRR from perfect.) In return, the Lord has opened spiritual "windows of heaven" into our lives as we continued to pay our tithing to HIM.
Yesterday my children and I volunteered to help pass out food for the needy at a food drop. When we were done, Jordan whispered in my ear, "Mommy, the 'windows of heaven' are opening to us."
After the service project was over, there was a woman who needed a ride to the hotel where she was staying. She had just moved to the United States with her 15-year old daughter from Puerto Rico two weeks ago. I drove her around town for some other errands, and we talked extensively about the "windows of heaven."
We soon discovered that her father is a member of my church and lives in Utah. I felt inspired to invite her and her daughter to our home for Thanksgiving dinner. She tearfully accepted our family's invitation. She expressed that she knew God's hand was in our meeting. Although she had a beautiful life in Puerto Rico, this woman said she came to the USA because God gave her a dream that HE had a special plan for her life here. We were both fully edified as we spoke of God's love and HIS limitless power.
I testify that the spiritual "windows of heaven" far outweigh any other blessing I thought I wanted.
As I prepared my talk for church, I felt God speak these words to my heart: "Because of your struggles, the windows of Heaven have been poured out upon you as you were compelled to increase your spirituality within your home.”
I needed to let go of my tight hold on my temporal desires in order to better see the spiritual blessings overflowing from the "windows of heaven."
As I prayed about all these things, a beautiful experience took place:
About 5 years ago I bought a beautiful, large painting of Christ painted by Simon Dewey. It was of Jesus Christ gently hugging 2 young children.
When I first saw it, the Spirit rushed over my body, and I knew I had to buy it. The little boy looked like my son, Tyson, and I wanted him to always envision himself in Christ’s arms. The little girl on his lap didn’t look at all like either of my girls. That was ok that she didn't, but I always wondered whom she could represent.
This picture has always been so special to me because I KNEW it was something I had been prompted to buy. Simon Dewey actually signed the back of it and wrote: "Rachel, Jesus loves the little children."
When I first saw it, the Spirit rushed over my body, and I knew I had to buy it. The little boy looked like my son, Tyson, and I wanted him to always envision himself in Christ’s arms. The little girl on his lap didn’t look at all like either of my girls. That was ok that she didn't, but I always wondered whom she could represent.
This picture has always been so special to me because I KNEW it was something I had been prompted to buy. Simon Dewey actually signed the back of it and wrote: "Rachel, Jesus loves the little children."
Of all our things that are still in storage right now, that painting is the only picture we have kept out of storage. It is sitting on top of the dresser in our bedroom.
Last week after I finished a very heartfelt, pleading prayer, I looked up at that painting and burst into tears. The recognition was so clear. I knew that little girl! It was me all along!! For the first time ever, I saw myself in that little girl’s face. God wanted me to see myself as a humbled child relying completely on HIS plan for me.
Last week after I finished a very heartfelt, pleading prayer, I looked up at that painting and burst into tears. The recognition was so clear. I knew that little girl! It was me all along!! For the first time ever, I saw myself in that little girl’s face. God wanted me to see myself as a humbled child relying completely on HIS plan for me.
I wanted things MY way, but God obviously has BETTER ways. He wanted me to be as that little girl and trust in HIS plan.
In my talk, I shared this beautiful scripture from the Bible about tithing:
Malachi 3:10
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
I had wanted the "windows of heaven" to open in the form of a new job. I had been so focused on our temporal needs, that I had forgotten how to settle more fully into Christ's arms and trust HIM.
Because of our struggles, my family and I have been compelled to do our best to increase our spiritual diligence in every area of life we can think of. (FARRRR from perfect.) In return, the Lord has opened spiritual "windows of heaven" into our lives as we continued to pay our tithing to HIM.
Yesterday my children and I volunteered to help pass out food for the needy at a food drop. When we were done, Jordan whispered in my ear, "Mommy, the 'windows of heaven' are opening to us."
After the service project was over, there was a woman who needed a ride to the hotel where she was staying. She had just moved to the United States with her 15-year old daughter from Puerto Rico two weeks ago. I drove her around town for some other errands, and we talked extensively about the "windows of heaven."
We soon discovered that her father is a member of my church and lives in Utah. I felt inspired to invite her and her daughter to our home for Thanksgiving dinner. She tearfully accepted our family's invitation. She expressed that she knew God's hand was in our meeting. Although she had a beautiful life in Puerto Rico, this woman said she came to the USA because God gave her a dream that HE had a special plan for her life here. We were both fully edified as we spoke of God's love and HIS limitless power.
I testify that the spiritual "windows of heaven" far outweigh any other blessing I thought I wanted.
As I prepared my talk for church, I felt God speak these words to my heart: "Because of your struggles, the windows of Heaven have been poured out upon you as you were compelled to increase your spirituality within your home.”
I needed to let go of my tight hold on my temporal desires in order to better see the spiritual blessings overflowing from the "windows of heaven."
"Mommy, the 'windows of heaven' are opening to us." This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of Elder Bednar's talk in conference about the subtle but significant blessings we receive. Great post!
Thank you so much for your comment. That was a tender moment to hear those words come from my child's heart. :-)
DeleteI LOVED Elder Bednar's talk from conference. In my talk on Sunday, I shared this great quote from him:
“Sometimes we may ask God for success, and HE gives us physical and mental stamina. We might plead for prosperity, and we receive enlarged perspective and increased patience, or we petition for growth and are blessed with the gift of grace. He may bestow upon us conviction and confidence as we strive to achieve worthy goals. And when we plead for relief from physical, mental, and spiritual difficulties, HE may increase our resolve and resilience.”
I see the many temporal blessings you have had because of your faithfulness in paying your tithing. You have been blessed to live with your cute in-laws while your husband finds the right job allowing your kids to develop an even better relationship with their grandparents and providing you with financial support. You have been blessed with groceries when you were garage sale shopping and your children have been blessed with instruments to play. You aren't always going to be blessed with the monetary blessings we all pray for but we definitely are blessed with what we need at that moment. I look at it this way, if I had been given money instead of the violin would I have used that money to buy the violin or would I have paid bills or used it for something else (my kids are always needing clothes or shoes or something). I too have a testimony of tithing and that Heavenly Father knows what I need better than I do. I know that obedience to this law is so important and I have faith that even though it's hard sometimes it's so worth it. P.S. I love the quote.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness you are ABSOLUTELY right. I have told Abe's parents and their sweet violin teacher thank you so many times for being some of our greatest miracles of our temporal blessings. Abe's parents know that we are not just sitting around while they "take care of us," so it is a beautiful time of giving and receiving. Taking help from others is one of the HARDEST things for me to accept, so I'm being humbled in that way too. They have shown so much gratitude that they've been ABLE to help us during this time. Their violin teacher has just decided to devote one night a week to teach my boys advanced piano lessons too. Can you believe her heart? I keep trying to think of ways to repay them... somehow. God is teaching me lessons ALL through this, and I'm grateful. It just hurts sometimes to grow. :-) I have been feeling a TON of peace lately. I think that means I'm actually learning. It's about time! :-)
DeleteYour perspective is AWESOME. I hadn't thought about what I would have done with the money instead of buying a violin. You're right- I would have paid for bills and our basic necessities!! When all this happened and his employer wasn't paying what was promised for months of work, I remember exclaiming to my dad, "I wouldn't have spent the money to go on these trips this summer if I would have known we wouldn't have been paid!" Then the thought came into my mind and my dad said too: "God wanted us to go on these trips." Those were important memories with our immediate and extended family, and I'm grateful for the Lord's timing instead of leaving it to my VERY limited perspective.
I love your sentence, "You aren't always going to be blessed with the monetary blessings we all pray for but we definitely are blessed with what we need at that moment." That is so true. Thank you! It's so hard to let go of the plans I had of how things were going to happen. :-) God's plans ar always better.
You are so beautiful! Thank you so much for your words. I love you.
I just want to clarify: When I said "it's about time" I mean- It's about time I start learning the beautiful lessons God is orchestrating. Thank you so much again for bearing with me through this process. :)
DeleteLove to read your blog. Uplifting and sincere. Thank you. May God continue to bless you and your family in every way.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading, and thank you so very much for your kind words. They uplift me! :-)
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