I missed following a prompting the other day. By prompting, I mean an impression from the Holy Ghost directing me to do a specific good thing. And I missed it.
I often think of this story by President Thomas S. Monson, but especially this week:
“Late one afternoon I was swimming at the Deseret Gym, gazing at the ceiling while backstroking width after width. Silently, but ever so clearly, there came to my mind the thought: ‘Here you swim almost effortlessly, while your friend Stan languishes in his hospital bed, unable to move.’ I felt the prompting: ‘Get to the hospital and give him a blessing.’
“I ceased my swimming, dressed, and hurried to Stan’s room at the hospital. His bed was empty. A nurse said he was in his wheelchair at the swimming pool, preparing for therapy. I hurried to the area, and there was Stan, all alone, at the edge of the deeper portion of the pool. We greeted one another and returned to his room, where a priesthood blessing was provided.
“Slowly but surely, strength and movement returned to Stan’s legs....I often think of this story by President Thomas S. Monson, but especially this week:
“Late one afternoon I was swimming at the Deseret Gym, gazing at the ceiling while backstroking width after width. Silently, but ever so clearly, there came to my mind the thought: ‘Here you swim almost effortlessly, while your friend Stan languishes in his hospital bed, unable to move.’ I felt the prompting: ‘Get to the hospital and give him a blessing.’
“I ceased my swimming, dressed, and hurried to Stan’s room at the hospital. His bed was empty. A nurse said he was in his wheelchair at the swimming pool, preparing for therapy. I hurried to the area, and there was Stan, all alone, at the edge of the deeper portion of the pool. We greeted one another and returned to his room, where a priesthood blessing was provided.
“Frequently Stan speaks in Church meetings and tells of the goodness of the Lord to him. To some he reveals the dark thoughts of depression which engulfed him that afternoon as he sat in his wheelchair at the edge of the pool, sentenced, it seemed, to a life of despair. He tells how he pondered the alternative. It would be so easy to propel the hated wheelchair into the silent water of the deep pool. Life would then be over. But at that precise moment he saw me, his friend. That day Stan learned literally that we do not walk alone. I, too, learned a lesson that day: Never, never, never postpone following a prompting” (Ensign, May 1985, 70).
I still feel badly that I missed that prompting the other day and have told the Lord so three or four times. Next time . . . next time.
8 comments:
Ah, Jane. I'm certain you'll get another opportunity because you are goodness. At least you recognized the prompting. I bet the Holy Ghost is constantly baffled by how adept I am at ignoring him and not even knowing it.
Thanks for this post. Sometimes I'm not sure if what I'm feeling a prompting or just a thought, but I'm training myself to follow through anyway just in case.
What a great reminder. Thank you for this.
Oh I hate that feeling. Luckily you seem to always be put in people's path, ready to help. I love you. Next time.
So will I still be saying that to myself 20 years down the road? Now that's patience on the Lord's part. Also want to put a plug out there for all the times you answered a prompting in my behalf friend...
I think this is something we all do. Hopefully the Lord knows are weaknesses and prompts about six other people in hopes that one will respond:)
I love that you can admit things we all do in your posts!
That is a wonderful story. And one that hurts. We have all postponed or ignored a prompting at one time or another. I wonder how many I should have received but didn't? This is a good reminder for us all, Jane.
I wish I listened to my promptings more often. Life is about helping each other!
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