Because of the events going on in the world, I was feeling hopeless. Then God shined His light upon me and HOPE was restored.
The first thing I do in the morning after I get out of bed is to sit at the dining room table by our big picture window and read my scriptures. This particular morning was no different. I opened my scriptures and was reading Ezekiel 37. Just before the 10th verse, my husband called to just chat for a moment and after we hung up, I went back to reading. I suddenly remembered that I had not started my scripture study with a prayer, as I always did. So, I bowed my head to pray. Then the strangest thing happened. No words came out of my mouth. I actually did not know what to say; my mind was completely blank.
I know that with this pandemic and with all the things happening at the time with the election, civil disobedience and all, that I had been feeling rather down. I had such a sense of hopelessness that there was nothing I could do about any of it. But never before had I not been able to pray. I looked toward heaven and kind of let out a chuckle telling my Heavenly Father, "I don't know what to say."
Suddenly a bright white light came shining through the picture window, which was odd because it was very cloudy and gloomy outside that morning. I had to close my eyes because it was too bright to keep them open. I felt a warmth come through the window and rest upon me. I bowed my head and began to cry, and my mouth was opened. I prayed like I have never prayed before; pouring out my heart to God. I told Him things that I was not even aware were troubling me. I sobbed a thousand tears during that prayer. I poured out my heart and soul to Him. After some time, I closed my prayer and the bright light faded away.
I felt warm and extremely comforted. After a thousand tears fell from my eyes, I realized that my scriptures must be soaked. I looked down at them and to my amazement, only one tear fell on the page I was reading. I was astonished to see that the one tear out of a thousand that I shed landed on the word HOPE in verse 11.
I called my friend Kathy to relate this spiritual experience to her because I wanted her to feel the hope I was now feeling. I knew some time had passed, and I was curious as to how long I had been in that prayerful state. I looked at my phone to see when my husband called to the time I called my friend. I had been praying to God for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. I am so grateful for this experience. It continues to fill me with hope and warmth, and I will always cherish this beautiful gift that God gave me that morning.
God is in my story. I testify that He loves all His children, and that He does not want us to fear or lose hope. He is with us always, if we allow Him. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and because of His atoning sacrifice, all of us can have the opportunity to dwell with Him again. I bear testimony in His name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
Submitted by Diane Hathcock from Aztec, NM
April 2021
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