Always be Astonished

 In 3 Nephi, it talks about the people in the Americas (the Nephites and Lamanites) and how they responded to all of the signs and wonders that occurred before the birth of Christ. All of these things had been prophesied, and a loyal few continued to look forward to the day that all of these things would come to pass. When they finally did, many converted to the church of Christ. But, over the course of just a few years, they lost that faith and no were no longer astonished by all that was happening around them (see 3 Nephi 2: 1-2). There were still signs and wonders happening, but because they happened so often it was no longer special or faith-producing for them. 

I truly think that happens in our day. This past Sunday we had virtual Relief Society, and the teacher mentioned that she did not have spiritual experiences in her life. She told of one big one that happened many years ago when she decided to join the church, but she made the other comment as well. The lesson moved on quickly, but that one, small comment stuck with me. "I don't have spiritual experiences in my life." I do not know the details of her life, but I do believe we all have spiritual experiences in our lives. They may not be big. They may not be a day, a night, and a day being as if they were one day; it may not be a special star appearing in the sky, but I know they happen for each and every one of us. It can be connecting with Him through nature, music, or art. It could be a small, simple answered prayer. It can be someone smiling at you on a day you really needed it. I, like many others, have prayers that go unanswered, but that does not mean they will never be answered. It does not mean they are not heard. It simply means now is not the time. 

I hope now more than ever we can all look for the spiritual experiences in our lives and hold tight to them because the moment we stop being astonished by those big and small experiences is the moment we begin to lose our faith and begin to forget past spiritual experiences we have had. That is when the devil grabs hold and makes us question what we have come to know. Does Heavenly Father hear my prayers? Does He even know me? Does He even care? I will answer with a resounding OF COURSE HE DOES!!! Please, always be astonished by His eternal grace, His eternal love, and His eternal desire to bless His righteous people.