On Sunday, I was in a fog. I couldn't form thoughts, let alone sentences. I walked around the house like a zombie. A dear friend of mine was in town and we had made previous plans for him to come over for dinner. He gave me the option to cancel, but I had the feeling not to. He lives in Colorado and my visits with him are far too infrequent.
After dinner, we and some other friends were sitting on the couch chatting. At one point while everyone was talking to each other, he looks over at me and whispers "Do you need a blessing?".
My first reaction was "No, I'm ok". Blessings are not something that I grew up with much access too and they are very difficult for me to ask for. But as soon as the word no came out of my mouth, I regretted it. What other opportunity was I going to have to get a blessing from a priesthood holder who I loved and trusted, and who clearly knew I needed it? I said yes.
We went into a room and he gave me a blessing of comfort. To be honest, I don't even remember what he said, but I do remember the undeniable feeling of love as he laid his hands on my head. My fog instantly lifted. I was ready to face the challenges the next few weeks would bring.
When we went back into the room with our friends, he stood there a moment and then looked at someone else and asked her out of the blue, "Do you need a blessing?". She looked shocked, but then realized, she needed a blessing so badly. This woman had never said a word that she was struggling and needed some comfort. He just knew.
They came back a few minutes later with tear stained faces.
Then he looked at another friend and also asked her, "Do you need a blessing?". She nodded and they went.
This friend had a flight to catch, but he took the time to listen to the spirit and follow his prompting to give us each a blessing.
Three strong, independent women, with no family in Salt Lake City, who didn't even know how desperately we needed to feel the love of our Heavenly Father at that moment.
Why am I writing a blog post about something so personal? Because thinking back to the feelings of that day, it made me almost heartsick to realize that feeling was so rare for me, and I think for so many other single women.
So I am directing this post at my wonderful single LDS men. I beg you. Do what you need to in your life so that you are worthy and able to give a blessing anytime, anywhere. Be in tune with the Spirit. Follow the promptings.
Do your home teaching. And visit them at their house, not the church. Insist on it. How are you going to be aware of things I need help with if you don't even know where I live? Be their friend. Be proactive. My past home teachers got me active in the church again and taught me more about the Gospel then I ever could have imagined. And it happened because they truly cared for me, not just as a number for quotas.
So many of the single women I know have grown to be so independent, the main thing they truly need in their lives is good, worthy Priesthood holders. We need them desperately.
To my amazing single LDS women. Ask for help! Say yes when they offer. We need these men, we need to make sure they know our appreciation. We can't do everything on our own, and we aren't supposed to.
I have met so many amazing men and women since moving to Utah. If we all take another step up, open ourselves up to the blessings just waiting for us, imagine the wonderful things that could happen!
