Blessings

I grew up in a home where many priesthood blessings were given in times of need. I remember the night before I started jr high. I was very nervous and my dad came down to my room and gave me a blessing. Many, many times over the course of my life, my dad gave me a blessing.

They didn't stop when I got married. Unfortunately, Vernon didn't grow up in an LDS home. He didn't understand the power of the priesthood. He hadn't even heard very many blessings given by anyone. He was very hesitant to give them. So even after I got married, I turned to my dad to give me a blessing. Dad/Grandpa not only gave me blessings but my children as well.

Every year, the night before school started, we made the journey to Grandpa's or he came to our house. It was a long standing tradition. He gave them blessings when they were sick or hurt.

Last week, I was sick. I was very sick. I wore out the floor from my bed to my bathroom. After 24 hours of thinking "this is the end," I asked Kent to give me a blessing. As he did so, I thought back on the blessings of my dad. As much as I'm grateful that Kent, my sweet husband, can give me blessings now, I still miss my dad doing that for me.

The morning of his funeral, I woke up with cramps. Cramps combined with nerves from having to speak, made it hard for me to stand up straight. I had planned on asking Kent to give me a blessing before the funeral. We were at the church, along with the funeral directors. The church was quiet, the snow was falling and Kent and I went into the Relief Society room to give me a blessing.

Kent pulled the chair over by Grandpa's casket and he gave me a blessing there. For us it was a very spiritual experience and one that I am so thankful for. I knew my dad was there.

The other night, as Kent gave me that blessing, I knew that once again, my dad was there. I am so thankful for a father, who honored his priesthood and who loved me.

A side note: Several years ago I was talking to a non-member. They said they didn't understand why women would want to be a member of this church where we were basically second class citizens because we couldn't hold the priesthood. Their question didn't bother me at all because I knew that I was not a second class citizen.

A couple of years ago, I had a terrible cold. I think I almost OD'd on NyQuil. I had taken so much to find even a little relief that it made me sick to my stomach. I spent the better part of the night on the bathroom floor. When I was able to get up, I went in and woke up Kent and asked him to give me a blessing.

A week later, Kent had a terrible cold and he was on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night. I asked him if he wanted me to call someone to come and give him a blessing.

Light bulb moment: For me, the priesthood was immediately available. I didn't have to call someone, wake them up, wait for them to arrive. All I had to do was wake up Kent and the blessing was there. Not the case for him. He didn't get a blessing that night because he didn't want to bother anyone.

So - second class citizen? No way.

The priesthood was available to me immediately. I benefit from the priesthood in my home without having the responsibilities that go with it. No one will call me in the middle of the night to come and give them blessing. I think women have the best of both worlds as far as the priesthood is concerned.

I'm grateful that the priesthood is in my home - available and immediate. Thank you Kent.