​AT THE BANK

While my daughter worked in a local bank, a woman walked in and saw my daughter’s name plaque on her desk.  She asked if she knew a Bishop Imlay.  She replied that she did, and that he was her father.  Upon hearing that news, tears began to well in the woman’s eyes.  She explained that several years prior, she was trying to survive as a single mother with three small children.  She said I happened to be speaking in her ward that day.  She indicated that as I stood to speak, I said that I had prepared remarks but felt impressed to change the topic.  I spoke about how much the Lord loves us and wants us to be happy and successful, about how intimately He knows us.  She said she was experiencing a bitter divorce that had come after many difficult years of abuse by her husband.  He had constantly intimidated her and belittled her and made her believe she was worthless.  She was facing both financial and personal insecurity and felt as if her life was at an end.  She said it was as if I was speaking just to her.  She believed the message I delivered that day saved her life and started her on the road to recovery.  She said all this with tears in her eyes, it still being so tender to her.  I remember that occasion in her ward.  I remember the impression that came so clearly to me.  I was on assignment from the Stake President to speak in her ward that day.  I had an assigned topic, but as I arose to stand at the pulpit, the Spirit informed me that the Lord wanted to say something first, before I got to my assigned topic.  The impressions came swiftly, confidently, and with the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  I told that congregation that I was there on assignment, but that I felt strongly impressed to convey something else first.  I told them how much the Lord loved them, how much he noticed their sacrifices to serve Him, and that He was with them and always by them.  The Spirit witnessed to the truth and power of those words.  I can still remember the feeling I had as I was allowed to be the Lord’s voice for those few moments.  But I never knew the rest of the story until that woman shared it with my daughter in the bank.  She said that as I spoke those words from the pulpit, the Spirit conveyed to her personally, how much He loved her and understood her struggles.  She felt that heavy weight lifted from her and decided to continue attending church and had done so since that day.  For her, His personal message of love, encouragement, and hope sustained her as she continued to grow closer to Him.  Who knows how far reaching that simple choice may prove to be?  For me, I was so glad I had listened to the whisperings of the Spirit and had the courage to act upon them.  I know that He loves each of us, knows us, is aware of our struggles as well as our triumphs.  He is a personal God, full of compassion and understanding.  I also testify that He often uses us to be His voice and hands.  I love that feeling.