Sunday Meetings

This Sunday I had the opportunity of teaching Relief Society. I had been working on the lesson for a while and finished the "final draft" this morning. I had thought about it a lot and I seemed to be inspired on some of the thoughts I had. I had prayed about it and hoped that I would say the right things in the right sequence and give the girls the right opportunities to share their testimonies and thoughts, for I know that bearing testimony allows the children of God to be strengthened. i arrived early to set up some things and then I sat down at the piano and played hymns to myself to invite the spirit into my heart. I needed it. It seemed like I was not on the right frequency I'd hoped to be on. I then sat down in my seat when the women started to arrive. I was nervous that I would not teach the way God intended me to. I prayed in my heart some more. When I finally got up, I said the things I had planned to say, somethings the girl's said matched with what I was about to say perfectly. I tried to share what was in my heart, but I was resorting to the lesson plan more than my own feelings.
Then in closing I started to bear my testimony. The lesson had been on sacrament meeting and temples, and I bore my testimony about them, but I tied it all together with Christ and his atonement more than anything. I felt the Spirit come over me (finally) and I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I hardly ever cry. Even when I bear my testimony, so this was slightly out of the ordinary. I felt like my mouth was opened and the blessings of heaven came upon me. I was still scared to be up there and say the wrong things, but as it turns out, the best thing I taught did not really come from me. It was from above.The things I said I want to write down for m own benefit. The words came so easily and smoothly. The words I spoke was what God intended his daughters of my ward to hear. I am so thankful and humbled to be a part of that.
In Sacrament Meeting I was uplifted and spiritually fed as always. The talks were amazing and truly heart felt. We had a rest hymn, though, and it taught me more than any lesson or talk that day. It was "How Great Thou Art". Now this hymn has always been one of m absolute favorites! I have rejoiced in the words many times and praised my Lord and Savior through singing it many times in my heart. Bt this time through I was truly pleading with my God. This time it truly was a prayer (D&C 25:12). Again, the tears came but I kept singing. No one around me even noticed. I imagined "when Christ shall come" and when I would have the opportunity to greet him. No feeling can compare. I don't know if I would be able to withstand his presence the way I am now, but I sure hope I can aspire to that. I know that he is with me daily, for I am Never Alone, but one day I want to be worthy of that infinite blessing.