A father's blessing

School starts tomorrow for our kids (yeah for modified year round school). I asked Josh if he was going to give the kids a Father's Blessing. I reminded him that growing up I received one the night before we started school. He gave one to Alexis the last two years. I expressed my desire for him to do it again this year.

I know there are people not of my faith who read my blog so let me explain the priesthood blessing so you can understand my thoughts right now. It is our belief in the LDS (Mormon) religion that the Priesthood that Jesus Christ had is still on the earth today. The Savior ordained his Apostles and they in turn ordained those individuals that they deemed worthy. During a visitation from Peter, James and John (who each received the Priesthood from Jesus Christ), Joseph Smith was ordained with the Priesthood. Each worthy male member of our church who has been ordained with the Priesthood can trace his priesthood lineage directly back to the Savior, Himself. In a Priesthood blessing, the worthy priesthood holder listens for inspiration on behalf of the individual receiving the blessing and verbalizes what he feels needs to be said. It is upon the faith of the individual receiving the blessing that the gifts, promises, and words contained therein come to pass. The blessing is a way for our Heavenly Father to communicate to individuals seeking blessings, guidance, and help through worthy men who hold the Priesthood. To read more about the restoration of the priesthood go here.

Now to my story and thoughts...

Josh did give Lexi and MacKenzie a blessing. Lexi received a beautiful blessing: an increased desire to read (this has been a struggle through all of last year and even more so through the summer), patience, obedience, a gift of friendship and more.

Then it was MacKenzie's turn. Josh was giving the blessing and suddenly stopped. After a long pause he got emotional. He next thing he said was, "MacKenzie, Heavenly Father wants you to know that He is aware of the pain you feel for our Savior. He also wants you to know that Jesus dying was a necessary part of the Plan of Salvation. Although Heavenly Father was also sad that the Savior had to die, He is happy that it allowed us to return to live with Him again. He wants you to be happy and not feel the pain." The blessing continued.

It was actually hard for me to focus on the rest of the blessing he gave her. My mind went searching, wondering. What could she be feeling? There have been several times in the past when she has come to me somewhat emotional stating that she can't stop thinking of Jesus dying on the cross. We have talked about it and about what it means and the blessings that come to us through the atonement of Jesus Christ because He so lovingly suffered and died for us, and just as importantly, that He rose again. After these discussions I have counseled her to pray about it and ask Heavenly Father to help her understand.

I didn't know how much of our conversations her little 5-year-old mind was grasping. Obviously I was the one who did not understand. She understands and feels so much with regards to our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was evident to me because of the words spoken in this blessing. Oh, how I had wished it was not already way past bed time so I could have sat with her to really talk about it, to see what she feels, and help her more. Maybe I should have and I let an opportunity pass through my fingers. I don't know. I pray that the opportunity will still be there.

Once the blessing was complete and Josh was helping the girls to bed I sat there slightly stunned, but also feeling the Spirit testify to the truthfulness of the words that Josh spoke. I just pondered the words over and over and over and over. I also got very emotional to know that my daughter does have a testimony of Jesus Christ, to know that she is affected in such a way that she feels pain when she thinks about the death of our Savior. I don't want her to feel the pain, but knowing of the pain helps me to know that she understands in a real and tangible way. What a gift and blessing it is that she already feels this way. My only prayer as a mother would be that she develops her faith and testimony more so when trying times come, and they will, that she will be able to turn to our Heavenly Father for guidance, love, and peace. That testimony and relationship she has with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be the strength and foundation that carry her through her life.

Needless to say - it was the end to a perfect Sabbath Day. As a mother, I couldn't have asked for more right now. I feel so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I know that I am a better person, a better wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, and citizen because of the things that I know to be true and hold close to my heart. It is to my Heavenly Father that I give thanks that I was able to witness and be part of this amazing experience this evening. It is a memory that I will treasure for a lifetime.