Fill The World With Love

by Shauna V. Brown 

Last Friday evening Rick and I had the opportunity to go to the conference center in Salt Lake and watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, orchestra and guest artist, Katherine Jenkins perform.

    I must say the whole event was an outstanding treat. I was thrilled when I noted the choir would perform one of my favorite songs. It's from the motion picture; Good-bye Mr. Chips staring Peter O'Toole and Petulia Clark.  Just the words alone contain a message of worth. 

                                      Fill The World With Love

                          In the morning of my life I shall look to the sunrise.

At a moment in my life when the world is new.

And the blessing I shall ask is that God will grant me,

To be brave and strong and true, 

And to fill the world with love my whole life through.

(Chorus)

And to fill the world with love

And to fill the world with love

And to fill the world with love my whole life through

In the noontime of my life I shall look to the sunshine,

At a moment in my life when the sky is blue.

And the blessing I shall ask shall remain unchanging.

To be brave and strong and true,

And to fill the world with love my whole life through

(Chorus)

In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset,

At a moment in my life when the night is due.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer.

Was I brave and strong and true?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

     So,  it is my prayer that we use our time well. If we go by the lyrics  I am somewhere living in the "afternoon". That's a sobering thought isn't it? Just yesterday I asked myself how many more seasons of summer days will I be able to enjoy. When will my evening come? Perhaps I was taken there in my thoughts as I reviewed the news of friend receiving the medical prognosis that his days are limited. Oh, how much can one pack into the remaining days? 

Imagine,  someday we all shall look back upon this moment of earthly time and see how incredibly scripted it all was. Challenges come, peaceful moments come, highs and lows, humbling moments, and times for happy cheering.  Each moment is filled with a divine purpose. God is the master of our eternal plan.  A plan perfectly designed for each of us. Orchestrated in various ways in order to refine our souls for a greater purpose.   

      Today might we all ponder the part we are playing in order to enrich our lives, as well of those around us. Are we doing all that our loving Father in Heaven has sent us here to do?  I know there is so much more for me to accomplish.   I want to be brave and strong and true and do my part to spread love, truth, and sunshine where ever I may go. I sense that there will be future times ahead where I will need to be brave and true, as well as steadfast and immovable.

Enjoy your Sabbath Day

Love to all

Shauna

       It's About Time - God's Time

 by Shauna V. Brown 

      Thirty three years ago Rick and I were attending a Saturday night adult session of stake conference. I was listening intently, but took a brief moment to look over at Rick. Tears were streaming down  his cheeks. I was listening to the speaker, but had evidently not been as touched as he was. He then leaned over and whispered “We’re having a baby boy.”  I was eight months pregnant at the time and was excited for the inspired revelation.  The following weeks were filled with preparing my mind for the coming little fellow, trying to think of boys names, as well washing all of the blue baby clothes stored since having Scott some five years prior.   

      So one can only imagine what a shocker it was to deliver a little blue, baby girl. Kristin, who finally came along after ten months. Her urgent arrival demanded a priesthood blessing.  We didn’t have much time to question --girl--boy? We were just grateful that she had arrived. But for a moment I wondered if heaven’s message had gotten mixed up? 

    Two baby girls later, one lengthy miscarriage, numerous priesthood blessings, and during Brittany’s ‘one in a million delivery’, I  found myself instructing two hesitating doctors, “Please, sew me up good ‘cause I’m going to have a baby boy.” Need I tell you that the look on their faces was unforgettable. Amazement - shock - disbelief - stunned, and watching two bobble headed doctors in motion best describe it.

     I believe when the Lord gives a prompted message it is wise to listen. So even if those doctors thought it was best that we didn’t have any more children, Rick and I both knew there was a greater plan and purpose. I am grateful that Rick and I wanted to invite children into our lives. The journey of being sick in bed for months with each, and then their difficult deliveries had it’s divine purposes and drew me closer to God. Briant’s story is personal scripture and trusted revelation.

     I know for a fact that some blessings take time. With all the difficulties with pregnancies it would have been easy to stop, even after Heather, our first. 

    So just as promised, six years latter our little boy--Briant (spelled with an “i” = single to the glory of God) finally arrived.  I smile upon reflection as I envision the picture in my mind.

 1) Rick, proud father standing by the bed holding new baby. 

2) Briant -just moments away from heaven

3)  Rick says aloud,  “Welcome, my little boy!”

    So today, twenty seven years latter-- Happy Birthday Briant!!

 Briant Allen Brown!  We are so thankful that the Lord let us know of your coming. You were well worth the wait, and you continue to be such a blessing to our family.   I guess one could say - you came into a home waiting with anticipated joy.   

      Young Motherhood-- I love this chapter of my life. I admit that there were ups and downs, peppered with  more downs than ups, and more ups when downs, and when the time came it was all worth it.

 

Life is a matter of trusting in the Lord, and being patient

 in His will and timing.   svb

  Which leads me to ponder upon events where our Heavenly Father knew that someday in the future he would be able to announced to the world, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt 3:17   

     Imagine those chapters of preparation, pondering, planning, patience, priesthood blessings and example. A time when our Savior had been schooled, tutored, and had succeeded, and sacrificed enough  to accomplish the greatest of all challenges, and bring about the greatest of blessings for all mankind.

   It is within “God’s timing” that great events transpire. 

 Enough time and a tree grows to render shade.

 Enough time and one can form a chair. 

 Still growing and with time enough, one can build a house

 from that old tree.    svb

       

So what will be ‘enough’ to clarify our time and tutoring with God? 

        We often are so eager to reach the top of the mountain, that we miss the inspiring blooms planted along the rugged ridge.

        So for today. Ponder the purpose of patience and think it might just be part of God’s perfect plan. We all can participate in his 'finishing school' if we so choose.  Events and possibly this event at this very moment in time, this experience, will be counted ‘more than enough’ to us as a blessing to get us to the top and -- Home again.  

   Have a great sabbath!

Love to All

            "Knees Please"

by Shauna Brown 

  On my bedroom widowseal sits a small framed thought: “Perfect prayers are always answered; proper petitions are always granted. The Lord never rejects a prayer uttered by the power of the spirit, or denies a petition sought in the name of christ, that accords with the divine will.”

~ Elder Bruce R. McConkie 

I have reflected upon this thought frequently. Are my prayers perfect? Are my requests too much for the Lord?  Does He tire from hearing the same petition? Are my concerns trivial?  

I think we all know the answer to that. Nothing is impossible for the Lord. His desire is that we pray. In our prayers we can  gain and eternal perspective of life, things that are of greatest importance. It is so easy to become distracted by the daily living and worldly invitations. 

   While reflecting, and I encourage everyone to do this - think back to those humble and critical prayers you have offered. You will find as I did, it was a special spiritual review, as well as a humbling recognition of God’s hand in my life. Those prayers spanned years of time and moments when I felt divine help was needed. 

I recall the tears I shed and prayers I offered as a very young girl, as I wanted my brother Alfred to bring his little boy Steven home from heart surgery.  Or the time when my brother Robert was run over and critically injured. Worried as Alfred and LuRee nearly lost their lives by a drunk man seeking to end his life. Mother and her cancer, Daddy and Parkinsons, Michael’s appendix, Miriam’s cancer . . . 

Concerns and prayers as time and time again, mother and daddy would gather us together. “We need the help of the Lord. ”  I realize even more today how my parents sought to bring heaven to earth.  How frequently I would find my parents on their knees in prayer.  

           I shall never forget the moment I  saw my mother praying by her bed early one morning.  It wasn’t an unusal sight, but when I heard her say my name I listened more intently as she prayed aloud to God for me and my choices. That was a moment when my tears couldn’t be contained. I knew of her love, and felt of HIS. That was a time that has bore witness over and over again to me of the power within the prayer. 

          Mama and Daddy called their home a “Heaven on Earth.” - how close they came. They invited the spirit into our home daily. It was an environment that taught us to trust in God, and know that answers to prayers will come.  I treasure the picture in my mind of our family kneeling upon the sky blue carpet in the living room, surrounded by French provential furniture much like the furniture in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a pattern with a purpose.  

At the conclusion of the family prayer we hugged and kissed each other. I know it will be just like that in heaven. 

Our family had their ups and downs.. but mostly because we were praying.  svb

As Rick and I married and had children our petitions grew. Our own little family prayers varied from blessing the bugs and dark scary nights. Growing into prayers to bring a child home safe and sound. "Knees Please", for inviting the spirit into our home. Uniting in prayers for an unborn child.  Prayers to heal a broken wing.  Prayers to calm a trouble heart. Prayers for direction. Prayers for our missionaries. . . .   

       

The reality for all of us is : 

Prayer is a gift and a blessing~ We bring the ribbon and God ties the bow. svb 

            To know that in some incredible way God hears our petitions. He is mindful of every one of them. It is within his power to answer them in an instant, but knows that timing, patience, silence, could possibly could be the best teacher. 

In the good book, The Bible, it states: 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is 

planted; . . .A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; . . .a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; . . .a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.    Ecclesiastes 3:1–2, 4–5, 7

It’s in that perfect plan of God we find ourselves fully dependent upon his love, and will.  A time to trust, a time to be nurtured in faith, a time to ponder God’s purposes.   A time to review His hand, His words, His love within each of our lives.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “Since faith in the timing of the Lord may be tried, let us learn to say not only, ‘Thy will be done,’ but patiently also, ‘Thy timing be done.’

So for this Sabbath day - Look to God and Live and offer a prayer of gratitude for everything we have. Where would we be without that sunrise? Double rainbows came yesterday. Don’t forget that breathe taking sunset - for it is a testament that HE is painting peace within the setting of the sun.

God Bless You All This Sabbath!

Love Shauna

Have a sunshine day. . . with a cherry on top!

    God Bless America!

by Shauna Brown 

     

     The year was 1970. The United States had all ready been at war in Vietnam for five years. Three more years of fighting would continue until the Paris Peace Accords - treaty would be signed. Some of my high school friends had lost their lives for the cause of freedom.  

When given the opportunity to perform for the military I felt it an honor to serve my country. I love my United States of America. I was able to see up close the sadness within the eyes of those who don’t have such blessed freedoms. 

If you recall from one of my prior sharing I had been hospitalized in Okinawa. I had injured my vocal cords and had an inner ear infection making it impossible to stand, dance or sing. I had been told by the medical doctors that I would never sing again, and that I would always have a low and raspy voice. Can I just say, that was so depressing and difficult to hear. I loved to sing. I had sung my whole life. While pondering upon my plight I could almost hear my mother say, “You must have unwavering faith Shauna.”  I drew courage and said a prayer in hopes for answers, and comfort.  A hymn instantly came to mind and the words rendered comfort.

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom;

Lead thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on!

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene—one step enough for me. 

    My thoughts led to inquire if there were any LDS soldiers on the nearby base. With the aid of my military escort I found myself not too long after surrounded by five Latter-day Saint soldiers, who had volunteered to come and administer. Relief and confidence came as they laid their hands upon my head and gave me a priesthood blessing. I felt such warmth and love. Alone in Okinawa, but not alone. I felt a sweet peace as well as an inner reassurance that I would sing again some day.

      From that moment forward I got better. For a few days my military escort rolled me into hospital rooms to visit the sick and needy. I couldn’t talk, but with the use of a notepad and marker I could communicate. It was a bitter, sweet experience. To look into the faces of so many who had become handicapped, depressed, or had lost the will to live. .  

    Within a matter of days I was released from the hospital. I was deemed well enough to rejoin my USO troop. I still couldn’t talk, but I could mouthe the words. Gratefully, I was gaining back my strength and weight.  I now could stand without falling over.  

      My new found circle of friends met me at the airport and wished me well on my journey. I stepped aboard a large military airplane.  I was taken back, surprised, as soldiers stood and cheered my arrival. I have never, ever received or ever since had such a grand welcome. The defense department had arranged for my travel. The flight would make a brief stop for me in Taipei, where I would meet up with the rest of my USO performing group. 

I was quickly informed that my plane was filled with soldiers headed for the front lines. Sure enough they were combat ready, helmets, guns and ammo.  It was instantly sobering upon the sight. I could only imagine their thoughts and concerns as they faced the realities that come with battle. I was surrounded by young men who think they are prepared and skilled for battle.Yet, so, so recently, I had come face to face with some who bore a strong testament of war and all its possibilities. I had visited the sick, the broken, maimed and depressed. I had listened to their stories. Freedom  and the fight for it was most vivid on my mind.

      During the flight my escort suggested, “Maybe we can pray for them.”  He indicated that he had been most impressed by the blessing that had been given to me by the LDS elders. Inspired by my circle of priesthood men he asked aloud if someone might pray upon these soldiers.  I was so moved as I watched a young soldier stand and offer words and expressions of joined love. Gratitude for his of country, love of family.

     Nearing the end of my flight one soldier extended,  “let’s sing a song for her, God Bless America.” 

I knew I was the only female aboard, and was humbled as one voice, joined by more, until I could hear them all.  I couldn’t hold back the tears. I stood  in respect and listened  and cried while they sang: 

God Bless America, 

Land that I love. 

Stand beside her, and guide her 

Thru the night with a light from above. 

From the mountains, to the prairies, 

To the oceans, white with foam 

God bless America, My home sweet home. 

I sadly realized, some would never return home. They would never see their land or families that they loved again.  I looked into their faces, though my eyes were blurred by  tears.  Oh, how I wanted to sing with full voice.... for them... to give them comfort, courage and unwavering faith in an all knowing Father in Heaven. 

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom;

              Lead thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on!

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene—one step enough for me. 

        Oh, may we never forget those who have fought to secure our freedoms and the rights and privileges of that freedom. 

Stand tall!  Rise your red, white and blue and join with those voices....

Proclaiming and  singing , “God bless America!”  

Realizing that it is... In God We ALL Must Trust! 

Have a Great Sabbath

Love Shauna

Have a sunshine day. . . with a cherry on top!