November has arrived, and it's always astonishing how quickly the year has passed. It's a month where we take time to reflect upon and share our gratitude for our many blessings and, yes, even the lessons learned. That's why I decided to repost this #SundayMessage from 2016. I've shared my appreciation for Christ's love and His infinite Atonement, my wonderful family, my children and grandchildren, and my precious husband. I've also shared my gratitude for having been blessed with a career that has spanned six decades now. I posted about Paper Roses reaching #1 on the Billboard chart 50 years ago this week. Well, my friend reminded me of this video yesterday, so I thought I'd share. It's from The Grand Ole Opry and was indeed one of the highlights of my career performing there!💖
These life journeys have filled my heart with such thankfulness for this magnificent life we are blessed to experience here in mortality. What a gift our Father in Heaven has given us! Mother Eve was brilliant when she said, "Is there no other way?" There was no other way! We had to be born and go through mortality to learn…all of it…. the good from the evil! Before this life, we also knew that we could endure all that might be placed upon us because our Father in Heaven provided us with our Savior, Jesus Christ! We knew He would stand beside us through ALL things and be our beacon of light, to show us the way back home, if we would just ask and follow Him!
What a gift to be given and blessed with this gift called agency (free will) to be able to learn and choose, to work hard and strive to make good choices and be more like our Savior, knowing the atonement heals fear and replaces it with faith so we can return home to our loving God! It's pretty incredible, isn't it?!!
I'll tell you something else that's pretty incredible: since my original post in 2016, we have been blessed with six more adorable grandbabies that have been added to our family!🤭❤️ Spending more time with them (which is what I've been doing this week🤗) is more important to me than ever because, like I said, "time goes by so quickly," and they are growing up way too fast, and I want to be a part of their lives!
Speaking of fast, I need to put together dinner because some of my precious babies are coming over to eat with Grandma and Grandpa!🥰 Life is quite a ride, but it's so worth it! Today, I pray for all of you, especially those going through great trials. My heart is with you!!! I love the saying, "When life becomes too much to stand… kneel!" Our Savior is right there waiting to help; just ask Him!!! He can't take away other people's agency when they upset or hurt us, but our Savior can help us heal and move forward. So kneel today and ask for His loving peace only our Savior can give! I love you and ask His blessings to be upon you this day and always💖 You are loved!!!
P.S. Sorry I'm late posting…How appropriate since the last one was… 😂😂😂😂
Marie's Sunday Message
October 23, 2016
After a fun and full day at the Grand Ole Opry yesterday, I flew home and had even more joy putting my sweet little grandson down for a nap. Oh, and I fell asleep too.🤭 Sorry for the late Sunday post. 😊💖
I love my kids! I'd better... I have eight children, three grandchildren, and eight brothers who act like children.😂 Have you ever noticed, though, how these innocent babies can so beautifully look beyond "outward appearances" and seem to be able to get along with just about anyone? They have this innate ability to accept, forgive, and love!
That's the reason I absolutely L️❤️VE this video of the little piglet 🐷 in her nighty and kitty🐱… soooo endearing!!! It sweetly reminds us that if we will be "as little children" (or sweet 🐖 & 🐈🤭) and put aside our differences, we can move one step closer to understanding our Savior Jesus Christ's unconditional love for us. He sees us all equally, values our individual strengths, and knows how much our Father in Heaven loves us eternally. We are His sons and daughters!
"… For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Despite whatever barriers may exist, I believe if we ponder upon and try to emulate this beautiful childlike love and kindness, we might create in our hearts the ability to have true Christlike humility and love for all of God's Children. #HappySunday! 😘❤️
#celebrateddiversity #godslove #child #faith #example