Abraham Lincoln

I've been reading this really great book called "The Eloquent President: A Portrait of Lincoln Through His Words." I came across a piece of one of his speeches that I thought was so beautiful and poetic. He said:

"We are indeed going through a trial--a fiery trial. In the very responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as i am, and as we all are, to work out His great purposes, I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to His will, and that it might be so, I have sought His aid--but if after endeavoring to do my best in the light which He affords me, I find my efforts fail, I must believe that for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it otherwise."

It's neat to hear a leader of our country-someone who holds so much power-be humble and recognize the fact that nothing can be done without that communication between him and our Heavenly Father. Maybe I'm reading a little too much into this but reading that reminded me of the the scripture (Luke 22:42) when the Savior is in the Garden of Gethsemane praying and he says "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." It's not always easy to have that attitude when going through life's many trials but it is this attitude that protects us and promises us happiness in the end. I am so thankful for the fact that I know that our Father in Heaven knows us! He really does and that communication is so important. Oh, and I know that the blessings do come. They may not come in the way or the timing that WE have planned on but they always happen to show up when we need them. It's really such a comforting thought for me to know that when we are making good choices, doing our best, and put our trust in the Lord...that no matter what the outcome is...we won't be forgotten. I have such a testimony of prayer. I have prayed about the most important things and decisions in my life...to the smaller things that I thought would seem insignificant to Heavenly Father. I know that He hears our prayers. Every single one of them and none of them are insignificant. He loves us and is always always there to listen. I recently had the opportunity to teach the combined lesson for the young women in my ward and the topic was "A Daughter of God." The manual was talking about the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. It mentioned that in the premortal existence, the father of our spirits nurtured and taught us. We are his children. He knows us well. Why wouldn't that be true? My earthly father knows me pretty darn well. He taught me as I was growing up and was (and is) always there for me. Why would that be any different with our Heavenly Father, the creator of our spirits? I know that His love is eternal and unchanging.

"From simple trials to our Gethsemanes, prayer can put us in touch with God, our greatest source of comfort and counsel." -President Ezra Taft Benson