This morning my sweetie husband woke up at 3am to go to work, like he does every morning (except Saturdays, when he doesn't have to go in until 4:45am). While he was getting ready, I laid in bed mostly asleep, like always. But I've taken to worrying lately. I realized that I hadn't remembered to put the dinner leftovers away last night. I'd forgotten to put my Maalox back in the fridge after a much-needed dose. I realized that I hadn't made sandwiches for Matt to take to work and school. And, as I often do these days, I was passively worrying that Matt might die.
A few days ago it occurred to me that I'm probably doing all this worrying, stressing out, and generally not being as happy as typically am is probably related to the fact that I've let my relationship with God fall by the wayside. I still prayed multiple times a time and read the Book of Mormon almost every day (well, more than half the time), but I'd been doing all these things out of habit and without putting in too much thought or effort. So the last few days I've been working on having more meaningful prayers and more thoughtful scripture study.
I don't think I need to tell any of you that putting effort into having God more fully in your life always pays back quickly and exponentially (Matt would say, technically, I should use "logarithmically" here). This was no exception. I will not go into details here, but I'll just say that God spoke peace and comfort to my heart and reminded me of some things he had told me in the past, and I just felt a release and realized I didn't need to worry. It was so nice! And then God and I chatted for a while about a few other things current and future in my life. I was feeling more joyful and peaceful than I have in quite awhile! After Matt came in for our morning prayer, I went right back into a sound sleep.
Then I woke up 20 minutes before my alarm went off and I felt very refreshed and energized (how often does that happen?!!) So I decided to get out of bed and do the dishes I've been putting off for several days. And I figured I'd have time to make myself a delicious breakfast.
I got out of bed and turned on some country music and quickly did the dishes, still happy as a clam. What added to my joy was discovering that my wonderful husband had 1) put away the leftovers from dinner (which, by the way, he had also made), 2) put the Maalox back in the fridge (after he brought it to me because I was too lazy to get off the couch), and 3) made sandwiches for both of us, even though it was 3am. I am so in love with that man!!! I really won the husband jackpot.
I got the dishes finished 10 minutes after I would usually get out of bed and was debating whether or not I should take the time to make myself a super yummy breakfast, when I realized that it wasn't 7:10 at all--it was 5:10. (that explains why the heater wasn't on). I made myself a very yummy breakfast burrito and went back to bed for an hour.
I wasn't quite as refreshed and energized when I got out of bed at 7:00, but I still had plenty of time to dry all the dishes and put them away and get gussied up for my day at work. And I have been happy all day.
I just need to remember that having the Spirit in my life is SOOO worth any added effort.
