One week ago, we started 'battening down the hatches' because when we woke up Sunday 4 out of the 6 of us were sick, and shortly after that we added yet one more. Surprise, surprise, we decided that we wouldn't spread that kind of love to the rest of our ward so we all stayed home in the hopes that we'd all get better that much faster. Unfortunately, here we are 1 week later with only 3 of us healthy enough to go to church (and that is NOT including the parents who are both feeling like we've been run over by a Mach truck then thrown into the trash compactor). So we're hanging out at the house instead of going to church yet again, though at least this week the oldest two kids are going to Primary?
While we're hanging out here, trying to rest up, we've been listening to a local radio station who broadcasts the Sounds for Sundays (on Q92 here in Utah, if you want to look it up). This is a pre-programmed series of songs and such that runs from 5am to 7pm every Sunday which is specifically geared towards the valley's Christian/LDS audience. It is really great for us, especially given that LDS music is often very different from mainstream Christian music. One other benefit that we enjoy from the programming is that there are bit-narratives that are included with the music which shares some insights into different scriptural stories along with uplifting personal stories.
The narrative that caught my attention today was about when Elisha the prophet's servant received a bit of a shock one morning. The Assyrian king was severely frustrated because Elisha kept anticipating his moves (when he was attacking Israel) and telling the Israelite king about things such that the Assyrians were unable to succeed in their intended goals. So he decided to lay claim to Elisha so that he was unable to render such aid any longer, and sent an army to cut him off. One morning, Elisha's servant went to go and fetch water from the well to be surprised and frightened by the oncoming crowd of armed soldiers, chariots, etc. He ran to give warning to his master who came and looked calmly. When the servant asked, "What are we to do?" knowing that it was just he and Elisha against all of those soldiers, Elisha calmly answered "They who are with us are more than they who are with them." He then prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened (which they were) to behold the heavenly host poised and ready to defend them against their attackers.
I was laying here, feeling a bit miserable and frustrated (after all, I have more to do than just be so sick so much of the time which has been dragging us down), and was thinking about what I would see if I asked for such. Then came suddenly to my minds eye a running visual scan of so many loved one's faces: my friend Dani who has been doing so much to help boost my efforts with the business lately, Kelley giving me the opportunity to teach crochet classes at the local high-end yarn shop, Casey and Mariah picking up their kids, Casey fixing our van's brakes just before we lost the brakes entirely (and likely would've crashed), Brittany's smiling face whenever she's popped out to help us jump our van when it was cold(er), the way I'll have a student run up to me yelling "Mrs. Martin!" to give me a hug at the store, the voices of my parents over the phone as we share info about what has happened during the week, the loves, giggles, and cuddles from 4 little imps at the dinner table every day,....I could go on and on. And that is just in my life and what is immediately in front of my eye as I see so many beloved family faces, dear friends, friendly community members, fellow brothers and sisters from church, and amazing people I meet online.
There are times, especially during an age where we send our loved ones away to war or to protect, when we need that fiery heavenly host armed for battle against a host armed with weapons intending physical harm. Yet during this modern age and for those of us more mundane people in our homes, there are often even more times when we need that same host sent to protect us, even though they come only armed with jokes, hugs, plates of treats, requests for help, babysitting offers, 2x4 poles of inspiration, spiritual promptings, and so much more than even they realize.
I'll never stop being thankful for that amazing heavenly host. Each and every one. Nor, with a heart overflowing and eyes spilling over, for the One who sends them. That heavenly host truly glows when your "eyes are opened to see", let me tell you. It is quite enough to take your breath away. Or to give breath when it couldn't be found before.
