Prayer and Promptings

"Experiences of prompting and prayer are not uncommon in the Church. They are part of the revelation our Heavenly Father has provided for us". Boyd K. Packer

This was the focus of our Relief Society lesson today and it made me do a lot of reflecting about listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and how important prayer is in our individual lives. It was during the lesson that I realized that there are things I should record so that my grandchildren will realize some day that their grandmother did listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and had I not, their father might not be alive today.

Here is my experience:

As the mother of a brand-new baby, I read everything about how to care for your newborn. When Corey was only a few months old, I decided that I didn't think he was sleeping as well at night as I thought he should (though he was probably being normal as a newborn). I had read in one of my "baby" magazines that if you laid a baby on a sheepskin rug, it would help them to sleep better due to the softness and comfort. I had a sheepskin rug so I washed it and dried it and placed it in Corey's crib. I don't remember if the article said to place it under the crib sheet, but I placed it on top of the sheet. Les was working a 16 hour shift so he'd already left for work and I was so tired after caring for Corey all day.

When it came time for Corey's bedtime, I placed him on his tummy, as he had always been able to lift his little head and turn from side to side almost from the day he was born. Also, at that time there was no training to place babies on their backs. He began crying as he did every night when putting him to bed, but I walked out the door shutting it slightly and went about doing other things. During this time, I continued to hear him crying and thought nothing of it. After several minutes of wandering around the house, I decided to step outside for some fresh air and pick up the newspaper out of the yard.

While standing in the yard I suddenly heard a voice in my head which said "Go check on Corey". I remember wondering if I'd really heard this or if I was just thinking something or what. However, moments afterwards I heard the voice again and decided I'd better go do as I was told. When I entered Corey's room, I realized he was crying anymore, but sounded as though he was gasping for air. I quickly flipped on the light and there he was - face down in the sheepskin rug - he body totally wet from perspiration and his skin turned red. I immediately scooped him up and when I did, he took a deep breath of air and began to cry.

I ran and placed Corey on my bed, hurried to my bathroom where I got a warm washcloth and then began to wipe the sweat from his little body. Then he began to smile at me - his mother. His mother that almost let him die. This child that I had waited for and wanted for so long I almost let die!

After calmness returned to the both of us, I realized at that moment that had I not listened to that "voice", the voice that I believe was the Holy Ghost who had been given to me as a gift from my Heavenly Father, that Corey would have died that night.

What great things might the world have missed out on if Corey had died that night? I,as his mother, would never have known the joy he has always brought to my life. He would never have met Nikki and we would never have had Derek. I think of the influence he's had among so many people and the happiness he has spread.

I know with every fiber of my being, that I was blessed that night and that my Heavenly Father was looking after me and looking after Corey. I believe in the promptings of the Holy Ghost because it saved my son's life that night. How grateful I am that I listened and that my Heavenly father loves me and loves Corey.