Sun. July 24th: That We May Always Have His Spirit To Be With Us

My whole last year of nursing school, I struggled a bit when I thought about the fact that I had chosen a profession where it would be required of me to work sometimes on Sundays. That's just how nursing is. Although, it is hard to leave my family on these work days (I always cry on Sunday mornings while I'm driving to work), I have learned some good "Sunday" lessons at my places of employment. I came to realize that the places I work are places where people are currently living. They, also, would most likely rather not be there on a Sunday. Because no one is doing anything to chase the spirit away, and because it is where these people are living (at least temporarily), there is actually a very special spirit on the Sabbath Day surrounding those who are currently suffering physically or spiritually.
Luckily, with careful planning of my day, I almost always have the opportunity to take the sacrament at work on Sundays. Thankfully, I had that opportunity today. It was the shortest sacrament meeting I have ever been to. It consisted of: a scripture read out of 1st Nephi, blessing and partaking of the bread and water, and an invitation for those who desired, to stay and receive a blessing of healing. Working in mental health, I often think about what these types of gospel blessings could do to heal so many of these broken spirits.
As short as this service was, the spirit was so strong. I was so thankful to have the opportunity to take the sacrament. This is the one thing I miss the VERY MOST when I do have to work on Sundays. First of all, I feel so strongly the strength that I receive through the upcoming week when I renew my covenants by partaking of the sacrament on Sunday. Secondly, no matter how much I spiritually prepare myself every other day of the week, there is absolutely nothing I can do to bring myself the blessings that come along with taking the sacrament each and every week. The power behind this privilege is one that brings us closer to our Savior. I am so thankful to be gifted the promise of always having his spirit to be with me every day predicated upon my own worthiness and actions.