Filling the time
I had the opportunity to speak in two different wards today. I love speak. My children would probably say it is because I love to hear my own voice. But I think differently. One of the members of the High Council had to back out of speaking at the last minute. Luckily, he and I had chosen the same topic for the month. My assignment was at 9 and his was at 11, so it all worked out great.
In the first meeting, I was speaking with a sister from the Stake Relief Society. She was very nervous about speaking. She had it all written out and commented that she could not figure why she was nervous. She had spoken in her home a couple weeks ago, had just modified the talk a little for today, but she was nervous. It took her about 15 minutes to read through her thoughts.
We had a short rest hymn and then I was up to bat. I had been thinking about this talk for several weeks now. We were asked to speak on the talk from Priesthood Session that impressed us the most and how we could apply it to our lives. I had reviewed each talk a couple times and jotted down key points from each. When I stood up and started speaking, they all became a blurr. I guess I focused on one more than the others, but the way it all came together was interesting. I was saying things that I had not even thought about. The ideas, analogies, and experiences just came to me.
I am getting better at watching the clock. I had about 20 to 25 minutes to fill. When I finished with my testimony, looked up at the clock, it was time to close the meeting. Some how, I had filled the time.
When the meeting was over, Patriarch Dea came up and commented on my talk. He told me that he had some members of the ward that were visiting for the first time in many years. He didn't know who the talk had been prepared for, but he knew that it was exactly what they needed to hear. He thanked me and wanted to let me know they had been touched.
The second meeting was completely different. This ward is known in the stake as being a combination of Nearly Dead or Newly Wed. The age span is incredible. I was speaking with a member of the high council, who we learned today is going to be released next week. He has been seated next to me on the council the past few months. It was nice to speak with him.
When the Sacrament had been passed and he looked and the clock, he leaned over and told me I was going to have to fill in time. Even though he has been on the council for a little over the year, he told me that he still gets way nervous when speaking. He had properly written out his talk as well. As he was wrapping up his talk, he did something that was not expected. He picked up a hymn book and sang "I Need Thee Every Hour". He has a wonderful voice. It was a moving moment. When he sat down, he said that he had never just been that random when speaking. I think he learned something.
I stood up, prepared go give the same talk. When I opened my mouth, it all went a different direction. Suddenly my focus was on temple service and becoming better leaders in our homes, ward, and stake. There were still key points that I had jotted down, but they took on different meaning as I stood before this congregation. It amazes me. I so love letting the Spirit guide the talks I share. I love having that experience and closeness to the ward I am speaking in. I am able to walk away with a little better understanding of the struggles and challenges they face.
Isn't this line of communication wonderful. Trust in your Father. Take Interest in His work. Seek His council and advise.
In the first meeting, I was speaking with a sister from the Stake Relief Society. She was very nervous about speaking. She had it all written out and commented that she could not figure why she was nervous. She had spoken in her home a couple weeks ago, had just modified the talk a little for today, but she was nervous. It took her about 15 minutes to read through her thoughts.
We had a short rest hymn and then I was up to bat. I had been thinking about this talk for several weeks now. We were asked to speak on the talk from Priesthood Session that impressed us the most and how we could apply it to our lives. I had reviewed each talk a couple times and jotted down key points from each. When I stood up and started speaking, they all became a blurr. I guess I focused on one more than the others, but the way it all came together was interesting. I was saying things that I had not even thought about. The ideas, analogies, and experiences just came to me.
I am getting better at watching the clock. I had about 20 to 25 minutes to fill. When I finished with my testimony, looked up at the clock, it was time to close the meeting. Some how, I had filled the time.
When the meeting was over, Patriarch Dea came up and commented on my talk. He told me that he had some members of the ward that were visiting for the first time in many years. He didn't know who the talk had been prepared for, but he knew that it was exactly what they needed to hear. He thanked me and wanted to let me know they had been touched.
The second meeting was completely different. This ward is known in the stake as being a combination of Nearly Dead or Newly Wed. The age span is incredible. I was speaking with a member of the high council, who we learned today is going to be released next week. He has been seated next to me on the council the past few months. It was nice to speak with him.
When the Sacrament had been passed and he looked and the clock, he leaned over and told me I was going to have to fill in time. Even though he has been on the council for a little over the year, he told me that he still gets way nervous when speaking. He had properly written out his talk as well. As he was wrapping up his talk, he did something that was not expected. He picked up a hymn book and sang "I Need Thee Every Hour". He has a wonderful voice. It was a moving moment. When he sat down, he said that he had never just been that random when speaking. I think he learned something.
I stood up, prepared go give the same talk. When I opened my mouth, it all went a different direction. Suddenly my focus was on temple service and becoming better leaders in our homes, ward, and stake. There were still key points that I had jotted down, but they took on different meaning as I stood before this congregation. It amazes me. I so love letting the Spirit guide the talks I share. I love having that experience and closeness to the ward I am speaking in. I am able to walk away with a little better understanding of the struggles and challenges they face.
Isn't this line of communication wonderful. Trust in your Father. Take Interest in His work. Seek His council and advise.
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