"Listen To the Still Small Voice"

One of my son's favorite songs is, "Listen to the Still Small Voice."  I've thought a bit about that this week and times I have listened and times I have not.   I realize not everyone believe in the Holy Ghost but, there have been too many times, and too many clear thoughts come for me not to believe.  Today I remembered a time 19 years ago that I saw a man walking by my house as I pulled out to go to a dance.  He had something on his shoulder that looked like rope or a hose or something.  I felt a strong impression to talk to him and I didn't.  The impression grew so much that I turned around in my car and looked for him.  I wasn't able to find him.   The next day I learned that a college student had been to visit some girls that rented from our neighbors and borrowed a hose from them and then killed himself from the fumes of his car.  I do not know if this was the same man I saw or not... but, I wish I had not hesitated.  I wish I would have talked to him.  "Listen to the Still Small Voice, listen, listen.  When you have to make a choice,  he will guide you, always." 

God is Love

I came across this quote today by Mother Teresa...  I thougth it fitting for this week's theme.

 “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

"God is Love"

I think I may change things a little in my blog. Sometimes I feel I try to force profound thoughts or insight because, this is "Out-there." I may simplify it a little and add some funny things of life... like, what is up with our body always mutating or doing embarrassing things. Ever since I have had my gall badder out, if I consume a lot of "junk" food, then my body produces extra gas, yes I mean farts. Twice this last week at some family gatherings in the great outdoors, I could not control some little toots. sigh... yes everyone thought it funny and to this point have not let me forget about it. Sometimes I wish all my weaknesses were that simple and would just give others something to laugh about and then we could go on with life.


This week I'm pondering what it means to serve and truly love others and why do we say "God is Love?"

I'm not really sure right now. I will have to think about it.

Scatter Sunshine

I find it interesting when patterns emerge through the week.  This week as I frist thought about Scattering Sunshine, I thought I would think about serving others; instead, I found myself remembering times others lifted me up and brightened my day. 
I was also drawn to thoughts about courage and things that merited courage.  Reaching outside ourselves to brighten someone else's day, values, virtue, getting up in the morning sometimes takes courage.  Saying sorry takes courage.
After I thought about courage because of the lyrics of the songs, I happened to read Pres. Monson's talk about courage.  He challenged the young women to have courage in 3 elements of their lives.  He said,
"First, the courage to refrain from judging others;

Second, the courage to be chaste and virtuous; and
Third, the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness."
I have a huge spider in my garden, that I will have to have courage to kill but, mostly I pray I will have courage to speak up for truth and integrity.

Scatter Sunshine

The last couple of nights as I've sat down to "blog" a little and am reminded of my theme for the week, I've thought..."man, I wish I would have remembered this song in the middle of the day." So, here are some wish thoughts... it may or may not be healthy.

"I wish I would have "Scattered Sunshine" when,
I was getting my children off to school today.
When I drove my niece to school.
When I stood in line for 20 minutes with other busy people.
When I was alone with my son this afternoon.
When I said my prayers.
When I talked to my husband on the phone.
when, when, when,

It wasn't that I was negative, I just wish I would have had the song in my heart and I think I would have loved those around me a little better. Not in an annoying, hyper-positive, Snow White way... but, hopefully in a positive, gentle. fun, stable way. Guided by the Spirit, out-of-my own box way.

I am going to write myself a note, to hum, or sing this song to myself during the day (thanks for the reminder Kris).

And before I forget, Thanks to all you out there, who have Scattered Sunshine, in my life. I say this realizing most of those I should thank exist beyond this dimension of blogging but, it feels good to put it out there anyway.

Scatter Sunshine

Tonight, I read the versus to "Scatter Sunshine." One line really stood out:


"Oh, what care and sorrow
You may help remove,
With your songs and courage,
Sympathy and love."
It reminded me of the YouTube I saw of Susan Boyle and her song of courage. Watching her sing in front of that British Audience and the judges, that beautiful song, "I Dreamed a Dream." Wow, total sunshine to my soul. I got excited, I wanted to Dream Dreams, and follow my dreams and DO something. Acting with courage in truth, we scatter sunshine. We can't help it.

Often, it takes courage to scatter sunshine in today's politically correct world. Even without all the political correctness, it is hard to look at a stranger in the eye and smile as you go by, or give a compliment; yet it can make a difference. 

"Scatter Sunshine"

Growing up, I would often hear my mother singing or humming, songs. "Scatter Sunshine" was one of them. I thought it was just part of her being the positive person that she was. Now I believe it was her way of rebelling against the negative world around her, fortifying herself from fiery darts. If you don't believe me, that simple songs like "Scatter Sunshine" can do that, you should try it on a day that is approaching gloomy and see if it doesn't help.


I think one of the first times I remembered her singing "Sunshine" songs was when I worked in a dry cleaning place on an army base in Augsburg, Germany. It was hot, humid, oh and did I say Hot in the dry cleaning building. The building was big and not exactly air-condition friendly. All day I pressed army fatigues for 8 1/2 hours. The pay was pretty good but, what helped me get through was my mother's sunshine songs. They just started to come into my head as I worked making sure those funky pockets on those military pants were pressed just so.
The first day I was there, I had worn a long sleeved shirt. I didn't realize what I would be doing. There were a lot of women from the Middle-East who also worked there. They didn't speak English but, they noticed I was very uncomfortable. A couple of them found a "lost and found" t-shirt which they gave to for me to exchange and they always smiled at me. They scattered sunshine.

Scatter Sunshine

For those of you who, if there are any "you's" out there, there is a theme to my meditations and ponderings for the week. Often it is tied to music. If the theme is tied to music it seems to stick to my physie a little better.
This week I've chosen "Scatter Sunshine" for my theme from the song by the same name. Last week as I examined prayer, I felt like I dwelt way to much on myself and it wasn't healthy in the end. It wasn't the subjects fault, just myself, getting got up in myself. This week I feel the need to look out of myself and focus on service and positive service at that, believing it will make a positive effect on the world.

Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee - Thursday

I thought today to look up the word "commue."

1. to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; interchange thoughts or feelings.


2. to be in intimate communication or rapport: to commune with nature.

I've been thinking about communication and sometimes we have weather communication, or dinner communication, bored communication, dutiful communication, sometimes the best communication doesn't have to include profound ideas, it can be just silliness.  But, what make GREAT communication.  For me it is where I feel completely safe, accepted, appreciated, loved; and then, when I am enriched, edified, fed and discover in communication.   Do you think the Lord likes to commue with us?

Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee - Tuesday

Today I've been reflecting on our relationship with our Father in Heaven, and how that relates to prayer.  As Kim said in her comment  on yesterday's blog, that if our desires come first, we don't hear His answers as well.   Sometimes, as I habitually pray and take that relationship for granted,  I loose the feeling of tenderness. 
Sometimes as I, wait for answers to prayer, and wait again and wait some more, I do not feel validated by the Father.  It makes me feel like He isn't listening because I have to wait.   I do not like this feeling.  It is my tendency to say more dutiful prayers during this time than, heart felt prayers.  I don't mean to be a spoiled child, it is just hard not to feel mortal and a little hurt during the waiting,  and "be patient" times.
When inflicted with this impatient virus, I find worthy music a good antidote and remembering those tender mercies of the past.   Praying for understanding, looking for ways to serve others and counting those darn blessings.  Yes, it is hard to peal the pride from ones heart and be submissive.
I looked up all the lyrics to the hymn "Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee."  I wish all my prayers were as sincere as this song.


Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee


1. Oh, may my soul commune with thee
And find thy holy peace;
From worldly care and pain of fear,
Please bring me sweet release.

2. Oh, bless me when I worship thee
To keep my heart in tune,
That I may hear thy still, small voice,
And, Lord, with thee commune.

3. Enfold me in thy quiet hour
And gently guide my mind
To seek thy will, to know thy ways,
And thy sweet Spirit find.

4. Lord, grant me thy abiding love
And make my turmoil cease.
Oh, may my soul commune with thee
And find thy holy peace.