Abide in Him always

The world's in commotion.

My world's in commotion. 

How to get it all done? 

The constant grind of prioritizing and reprioritizing, knowing that much of tomorrow's challenges depend on how much I can do today.


The trade offs that happen are real. Even if I am saving the world in one area—for instance taking a sick child to the Instacare, if I forget to switch my laundry from the washer to the dryer, it still sours. 

Carpool. Bills. Appointments. Birthdays. Dinner. 

As demands stack up, it is hard not to feel bogged down. 

Some say they wish they had more hours in a day to get things done.

I don't. 

I don't want any more hours to responsibly navigate. I have problems enough. More hours isn't going to solve my sleep deprivation problems. More hours will only make me more weary, more stressed, more pressed.

 So, how can I get done what needs to be done, and feel at peace for everything that doesn't get done?

 The realistic acknowledgement of this problem, from one very wise woman, Julie B. Beck, caught my attention and has ever since been ringing in my ears: 

"A good [man or] woman knows that [they do] not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things [their] heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most [men and] women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important.” 

So, how do I, on a very practical level prioritize what is most important? 

Again, Julie Beck: 

“Years ago I began using a system that works for me, and maybe it will work for you. There was a time when I needed to prioritize, and in one of those sacred meetings between me and the Lord, He gave me three categories that I have worked from, and they have been a guide in my life. The categories are the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things. I started writing those things down.  

“I asked, “What has to go in the category of essential?” What things must be taken care of, and if I don’t take care of them, the blessings of eternal life won’t be mine nor will they be my family’s.” 

The top of her list—revelation. 

"The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in life."

 "With personal revelation [we] can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently."


What it is hard for me to understand and follow the Spirit? What if I am weak?


"With the Lord's Spirit weak and simple [men and] women can know what to do....They can discern His will, solve major problems, and feel peace, comfort, and guidance in their lives. Education is wonderful, but being able to feel the Lord’s power and Spirit upon us is the highest education we can achieve.” 

How do I receive the companionship of the Spirit?

We worthily make covenants, including baptism, to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost:

Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what you should do.

Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock...

For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way [of baptism], and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:2-5)

How do we obtain and receive revelation? 

We take time to learn the voice of the Lord. We take time to commune with Him. We take time to listen and ponder. 

We take time to be holy:  

Take time to be holy, Speak oft with the Lord;
Abide in Him always, And feed on His word.
Make friends with God's children, Help those who are weak,
Forgeting in nothing His blessing to seek. 

Take time to be holy, The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret With Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, Let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, Whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, Still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, Still trust in His Word. 

Take time to be holy, Be calm in thy soul;
Each tho't and each motive Beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. 

(Take Time to Be Holy, lyrics by William D. Longstaff, circa 1882.)

As President Russell M. Nelson promised:

"When you reach up for the Lord's power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him--when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life--you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do."

What a powerful promise from a prophet of God. 

By doing the essentials "you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do."

Will it be enough?

We'll finish up with Sister Beck:

When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly.

Feeling the Spirit the way how to measure if we are on the right track. I can do that.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13)