The Lord’s hand is guiding you. By “divine design,” He is in the small details of your life as well as the major milestones.
Review of last week's thoughts. Did you do anything to improve prayers. Sister Merlyn Kent said that she imagines that Heavenly Father is sitting in a chair as she kneels to pray. This helps in focusing and bringing more meaning to the prayer.
Question: Why is it important to follow a pattern in sewing, or a recipe in cooking?
Answers given: So you don't have to unpick. It's important to read through the entire thing. Sometimes you can't see why a step is included.
Heavenly Father has a pattern/recipe for each of our lives. He views as if on a "chess board". Jamie brought an example of a chess board and showed how the Lord knows each and every move.
Where has Heavenly Father placed you? Is it coincidence?
Elder Nelson became a "friend of China" early in his career and now there is great missionary work in China.
Story Elder Rasband told:
Some months ago our granddaughter joined a youth group to tour several Church history sites. The final itinerary noted that she would be passing through the very area where her missionary brother, our grandson, was serving. Our granddaughter had no intention of seeing her brother on his mission. However, as the bus entered the town where her brother was serving, two missionaries could be seen walking down the street. One of the missionaries was her brother.
Anticipation filled the bus as the youth asked the bus driver to pull over so she could greet her brother. In less than one minute, after tears and sweet words, her brother was back on his way to fulfill his missionary duties. We later learned that her brother had been on that street for less than five minutes, walking from an appointment to his car.
The Lord really does work in the small details of our lives. No trial or calamity can derail God's plan of happiness.
Romans 8:28 . 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
President Monson said:
There is a guiding hand above all things. Often when things happen, it’s not by accident. One day, when we look back at the seeming coincidences of our lives, we will realize that perhaps they weren’t so coincidental after all.
Question: Why is it important to recognize God's hand in our lives?
Answers: We feel gratitude. We remain positive amidst discouragement.
Question: How do we show our thanks to the Lord?
Write down tender mercies. Acknowledge his hand in all things. Share our gratitude by bearing witness.
Idea: Instead of just talking about the day during dinner, ask each member to express:
How have I seen the Lord's hand today?"
Thank you for all the great comments and Jamie for preparing such a wonderful lesson. :)
