At the beginning of each school year we have this struggle with back to school blessings. All the people going back to school want the blessing the Sunday before school starts, which is somewhere in the middle of August. The person giving the blessing wants to be fasting when we do the blessings. As a result, we tend to be two weeks into our school year before we all get blessings. It certainly isn't the end of the world and we get why Dad might want to be fasting so we get over it. Usually.
Well, this school year we once again had back to school blessings on the Fast Sunday in September, two weeks after school had started (three weeks for me) and Cole just wasn't getting over it. Not sure all the reasons why, but he was feeling very angry all day and especially when it came time to meet in the front room for blessings. In fact, he was curled up in the fetal position with his back to us in one of the blue chairs, arms crossed, refusing to talk.
We go in birth order so Chas went first. When it was Cole's turn, he came over and sat down still mad. But then this... Devan laid his hands on Cole's head and began to speak to him, through the power of the Priesthood, telling him that God loved him and knew him. He spoke of very personal feelings Cole was having in relationship to his position in our family. The Spirit was so strong. It felt like Heavenly Father was speaking directly to Cole, telling Cole he knew that Cole was feeling unloved, but that it wasn't true; his family loved him even if he couldn't feel it in the moment. And more importantly, his Heavenly Father knew his heart and loved him. It felt intimate and sacred. I'll never forget it.
After Devan ended, Cole stood up, turned around, and ran into Devan's arms. Cole cried with relief. I could see the darkness he'd been feeling had been taken away and peace and love had taken its place. God did that through His Spirit.
Later Cole and I were talking about the experience and we both agreed it was a super cool moment we both felt. We all saw God that day.
I'm so grateful to know God is answering my prayers regarding my children. I'm just constantly asking him to please draw them in to him, help them feel his love for them. Nothing feels as amazing as God's intensely personal love. He loves each of us for who we are and not for another and not in a giant group like love. He loves me for me and you for you. I love that.
