Long-Suffering

Sometimes I wonder what the Lord is preparing me for. 

Things stand out to me in the scriptures and in my life and I wonder when I'll need them. 

Sometimes I see the whole picture in a few minutes of studying. 

Other times the lessons learned and the knowledge gained stay with me a little longer, ready for when I do need them. 

Whether I need the stories, the attributes, the truths in the next 30 minutes or 30 years, I'm glad I have them. 

I'm glad they came. 

When Jake and I were first married we lived on Cedar City Main Street. 

It was the perfect place for us. 

I still remember what Jake's car sounded like pulling in the driveway and what the front door sounded like when he opened it. 

We watched for cars and ran across the street hand-in-hand  for treats at the gas station hundreds of times. 

We loved it there. 

Even apart from Jake's sweet company, the house was special. 

It was my Great Grandma Murray's home. 

She and her brother Raymond had moved to a care center and she agreed to let Jake and I stay there. 

If walls could talk. 

I know a little of what these would say. 

My mom visited them weekly to do their hair. 

She bought special hairspray just for Grandma Murray. 

I smell it sometimes and it reminds me of her. 

Whenever I think of Grandma Murray and Uncle Raymond, I think- "long-suffering". 

A Christlike attribute the two lived beautifully. 

Raymond experienced an injury causing brain damage at birth. 

In addition to being his friend and protector in his younger years, she cared for him in their adulthood as well. 

Her father left when they were young and she lost both her mother and her husband much too soon. 

Loie Murray never complained though.

She lived an inconvenient life but whenever I came to see her, she seemed to love it anyway. 

She took care of Raymond for at least 42 years. 

The pure love, patience, and long-suffering I saw in that little house with those little old siblings changed me. 

I remember them and I think of Him. 

In each standard work the Savior's long-suffering" is made mention. 

He was patient despite troubles, especially those caused by others. 

Long-suffering. 

Maybe long-suffering is putting the same toys away, picking up food off the floor, and matching tiny socks. 

Maybe it's trying again despite inadequacies. 

Maybe it's sending a text even if there's no reply. 

Maybe it's going. 

Maybe it's staying. 

Maybe it's inconvenience. 

But maybe it's salvation. 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

​And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation. (2 Peter 3:15)

Salvation. 

Isn't that sweet? 

Salvation in the Suffering. 

Salvation is the Suffering. 

And Jesus is there too. 

​That makes me happy.