Strength from Angels

John kept asking me if I was sure that I wanted to go that Friday night. Halfway to Indianapolis, Indiana I was starting to wonder if I had made the right choice. What was supposed to be an 2 1/2 hour drive on a freeway, turned into a 5 + hour drive with stop and go traffic crawling all the way up from our home in Kentucky. We had left with enough time to get up there, get dinner and go to the temple open house before driving home. It was going to be a late night, but not too bad.

Then we hit that traffic and at first I figured that it would just delay us a little bit. Boy was I wrong, By the time we got to the Indianapolis temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it was dark outside, the gates were closed, and we could no longer go in.

I called my husband and asked him what he thought we should do. He told me to go get a hotel room and spend the night there and see the temple in the morning and then come home. So the girls and I went to Walmart and got toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes, and pjs. Then we spent the night in a hotel, put our clothes back on from the day before, ate breakfast and went to the temple. It was a very frustrating experience trying to get to that temple.

However, once we were on the temple grounds and in the temple I could feel the peaceful spirit of God and I knew it was all worth it.  The opportunity to take my girls inside the temple and show them how beautiful it is and share that spirit with them is truly priceless.

The Indianapolis temple is so beautiful inside and out and there are so many things that I could share about the details and artistry of this House of God. Instead, I am going to stick to one single painting. There is a hall inside the temple that has pictures of Jesus Christ's life. The pictures go from Christ's birth to his death. The man leading our tour pointed one out in particular. It was a beautiful painting that I had not yet seen. I have attached the link if you care to look at it.

http://www.delparson.com/gallery_pages/an_angel_strengthened_him.html

It shows Christ praying in Gethsemane being supported and helped by an angel.  It brings to my mind the scripture found in Luke chapter 22 verse 42 "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."  Then I picture our loving Heavenly Father wiping the tears from His eyes as He sees and hears His son's plea. God then enlists the help of one of His angels to go down and help Jesus Christ. Luke 22:43 "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." I can almost hear Heavenly Father say, "I can't take away your pain, but I will send you help." God knew that Jesus Christ's pain and suffering were for a good cause. He couldn't take it away, but he could and did send help.

I know that Jesus Christ went through many things for each and every one of us. I am so grateful for those sacrifices. Our Heavenly Father also suffered much watching His son's sacrifice, but He knew all the good it would do and so He did not stop it.

We are all God's children and we all have our moments of trial and pain. I think there are many times that God looks down on us with tears in His eyes saying, "I can't take it away, but I can send help." Are we asking for that help? Are we recognizing it when it does come?  God wants to send us angels to strengthen us. When we ask in faith, He will send them. I have felt them at times when I have not uttered a direct prayer, but have simply cried out in agony.

My plan is to get this picture and hang it close by me so that I can better endure my husband's future deployment. It will be a reminder to me that I am never alone and there is always help from Heaven.  STRENGTH FROM ANGELS.