My Heart is Happy Because He Lives

Though I think about the Savior every day, I particularly think of the crucifixion during this time of year. I don't like to dwell on all that he suffered in Gethsemane--it hurts my heart. I cannot fathom the pain that he endured in the Garden--enough pain that he bled from every pore. And it wasn't just the pain from sins, but every type of suffering imaginable. I have no idea how He did that, only that He did.

And he didn't have to. He had the power to stop it. He had the power to strike down all those who were mocking Him and torturing Him. He didn't have to lay down His life, He chose to. He made a conscious choice to give His life for each of us because He loves us.

And what He asks of us in return is to keep His commandments. If we truly love him, we will. "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) After all that He has sacrificed for us, it seems a small thing to try to keep His commandments, especially when the reward for so doing is eternal life.

For me, Easter is much more about the resurrection, that He lives. And because He lives, my parents live. My grandparents live. My family and friends who've passed through the veil all live. We may be separated for a time here in mortality, but because of Christ's atoning sacrifice, we can be together again for all of eternity. That makes my heart happy.

I had very little time to know my parents in mortality and if I thought that was all there is, I'd be distraught. I'm so thankful to know that death does not end relationships and that I will have the opportunity to know my parents some day. If I can overcome my weaknesses and faults and lay my sins at His feet, I can live with the Savior for eternity.

I am eternally grateful for Christ's sacrifice on a very personal level. I know that He lives. I know that He is my Savior and Redeemer. I hope to be more like Him. To forgive as He did. To love as He did. To live as He did.

May we all have a wonderful Easter and remember all that the Savior has done for us.

40 Days with the Savior by Connie Sokol

Back Cover:

Do you desire a more Christ-centered Easter? You’ll experience a more fulfilling Easter season with these positive and inspiring devotionals on the Savior.

For forty days, enjoy a daily scripture and personal insight on a character trait of Jesus Christ, and how it applies to everyday living. Learn more of who He was, what He taught, and how it can bless your life.

“Connie Sokol’s new book, “40 Days with the Savior”, is just the little push I needed to feel the Savior’s presence in my daily life. Using personal stories, scriptural accounts, and meaningful insights, she helps readers draws closer to Jesus Christ and become a more Christ-centered person. I loved her daily nuggets of wisdom that prompt a change in behavior.” --Jodi Marie Robinson Author of “Women of Virtue”

"Connie Sokol, the queen of simple yet effective, has done it again. What a great resource for quick, daily things that we can do to draw closer to the Savior. This easily fits into our busy lives, reminding us of what matters most." --Peggy Urry President-elect, American Night Writers Association

“Connie Sokol has thoughtfully shared fresh insights to well know scriptural phrases. The simple inspirations in 40 Days with the Savior are enlightening and empowering. This is an easy way to draw closer to Jesus Christ throughout the Easter season and during the rest of the year. After reading this book I feel my burdens are lighter.” --Margaret Turley Author of "Save the Child" Administrator Writers Unite to Fight Cancer “

I LOVED this book! Connie brings these scriptures home with real, everyday moments. I can savor these bite-size gems throughout my busy day with little ones. The teachings are powerful, and her added insights brought them home for me in a new way." --Amy Chandler Founder, My Story Matters

My review:

What a wonderful book. I LOVED it! It's is not only uplifting, but so inspirational. Simple but yet so powerful. It helped me to rethink some things in my life and to see some things differently. I love the probing question at the end of each chapter. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who wants to come to know the Savior better and who wants to make his/her life more in harmony with the teachings of the Savior.

Definitely 5 stars!!!

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A Somber Anniversary

This day every year gives me pause. In 1968, I was a little girl and I got up in the morning to tell my daddy good-bye before he left for work. That was the last time I ever saw him. He died later that night on a dark, lonely road near Simi Valley, CA. His funeral was on December 24th. That event, of course, changed my life forever.

I often wonder what might have been. Would we have stayed in Santa Barbara? Would my parents have had more children? Would they both still be alive today enjoying their grandchildren? Would I have found the gospel?

I don't know the answers to these questions. What I do know is that I have the gospel in my life. I feel so blessed each day to know that my Redeemer lives, and because He lives, so does my father. And my mother. My grandparents. Friends. I may not be able to see those that I've loved and lost with my mortal eyes, but they are not far from me. Some days, I've felt them so close I could almost reach out and touch them.

As I consider the tragic events as of late, especially at Sandy Hook Elementary School, my heart aches for all those who have lost loved ones to such violent acts. But I know that they can be reunited one day. I know that their loved ones are not gone forever. Because the Savior lives, so do their precious loved ones. And through the Savior, they can find some peace and some comfort.

I will never stop missing my father, or my family members that have died. There will always be a hole in my heart for each one, but I can feel comfort knowing that they are in a better place and that the bonds of family do not end with death. I don't think you ever get over losing a loved one, but with time you learn to live with it.

The Savior said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

May we all find some peace and comfort, especially those in Connecticut.

Jesus: The Reason for the Season

Every year our elementary school has a Christmas Program—at least that’s what it used to be called. It’s now politically incorrect to refer to it as a Christmas Program. It was the Holiday Program for a few years but is now called the Winter Program.

When my oldest daughter was in 2nd grade, she played the part of Mary and we had a program based on the Nativity. It was, by far, the best program I’ve ever seen our elementary school perform. Since then, we’ve had shows about penguins, Hansel and Gretel (another daughter played Gretel), the Abominable Snowman (my son played that part), and coyotes. This year it’s about musicians and a Hopi myth. While I like to learn about other cultures, having a program about Hopi Indians, instead of the Nativity, during the Christmas season seems out of place to me.

Our elementary school shies away from anything religious. My question is always, “If our program isn’t about celebrating Christmas, why do it in December (one of the busiest months of the year)?” I have yet to receive an answer to that question.

I’ve noticed over the years that while many minority groups have enjoyed greater respect and inclusion (as they should), it’s been at the exclusion of Christian groups. Our school district bends over backwards to accommodate every group under the sun except Christian groups. We aren’t allowed to pray in school. My nephew was told by a teacher that he couldn’t pray at all in school, not even silently. He responded that he could pray anywhere, anytime and no one could stop him.

If we claim a belief in God, more and more people scoff at the idea. People have gone so far as to claim that Jesus is a myth and the whole Nativity story is fashioned after the story of the Egyptian God Horus. They say that the Christian believers made up the story of Jesus and wrote the Bible in an effort to perpetuate the myth. They claim the Bible has been fabricated and cannot be a reliable historic source because those who kept the records only did so to fool people into believing Jesus was born and then crucified for our sins.

The only way we can know if the story of the Christ child is real or fabricated is to receive our own witness of the truth. Once the Holy Ghost has witnessed to our spirit that Jesus did in fact walk the earth and then willingly laid down his life to atone for our sins, there is no room for discussion or alternate versions of reality. We must each receive that witness.

For me, I have no doubt that Jesus is the Christ. I have no doubt he was born into mortality, walked the earth, and then took upon him the sins of the world as he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane. How he did that, I don’t understand, but I have faith that he did. I’ve had my own witness.

It is his birth that we celebrate. May we all remember the reason for the season, proclaim our belief in the Savior, and enjoy a very merry and blessed Christmas.

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