August 5, 2010

I found out tonight that I am pregnant. It couldn't have been a better end to this day!

Tonight I read an Ensign article in the July 2010 issue called Recognizing Righteous Leadership. This was an excellent article and very timely in my life because I am striving to be a righteous leader myself and because I have been very involved in working with and learning from leaders in my business. I see them as righteous leaders and I appreciated this article because it validated the same characteristics of righteous leadership that I believe in. The author talks about Rehoboam, Jeroboam and Jehosophat in the Bible and what can be learned from their example. He says: "Humble, effective leaders care about and willingly serve others; pray to and express faith in God; are morally trustworthy and act responsibly for the good of all; point people to the scriptures and teach them to always seek wholesome learning; follow the living prophets and obey the Lord; do not yield to the temptation to seek for recognition or exercise unrighteous dominion." As I read that I really looked at where I'm at right now in my life and I was able to say to myself check, check, check, check, check, check! And that felt really good because it helps me to know that I am a valiant servant of the Lord and am worthy to be used in His hands to further His work. He can trust me because I am obedient and loving.

Also in this article, it stuck out to me that the example of Jehosophat, asking for help from the Lord and then recognizing his answer in the form of another person, who actually was the prophet. I thought that was powerful for two reasons. One, realizing that the Lord often answers our prayers through others so we need to always be sure we are listening to everyone! Two, it teaches the importance of obeying the prophet today and I do believe that he is led by the Lord on our behalf, to help us to be safe and protected. I am so thankful for the protection that comes as a result of my obedience.