Sharing life lesssons

We pass through life sometimes a little too much in a rush, and don't realize life's lessons. I thought I'd share with you something that happened to me that may help you. Yesterday in church as I saw one of the great relief society teachers in my ward, and she mentioned that she was teaching that day(we'll call her sue but you know who you are :) I remembered a lesson that she gave a long time ago back in the day when I had the luxury of going to relief society(before I was sucked into primary:) She was talking about missionary work. She told of an experience of being at Payless when they had just marked down their shoes, plus they had the BOGO. She was getting shoes for like $2.00. She knew what a great thing this was so she started to call everyone she could think of that would appreciate the great sale as she did. Later she compared it to missionary work. What a great message the Gospel is, and how it is something so important, and special that we should want to call everyone we know to share to good news. Well, after seeing her, I realized that I had a similar experience just last weekend. Old Navy was having a great clearance sale and I knew a code that would get you an extra 50% off, plus another code that gave you free shipping. I called several people to tell them about this great deal because it was something that could not be passed up. Later that night as I was replaying in my mind something that happened to me a few night earlier, I realized that there was something more important that I should have been telling all of those people that I called. Most of them were people that go running or walking outside, and I should have been warning them of a danger that may be lurking in their neighborhood. I could never forgive myself if the same thing happened to someone else and I could have warned them first. Let me start from the beginning, and then you will see where I am going with this.
I recently started running. I've never been a big runner, but I have always wanted to do a 5K and possible a half marathon (I'd never attempt a marathon!) I started running with our dog because my walking buddy was rarely available lately so I thought I'd take the opportunity to get into running. Our dog is a great running buddy. She keeps me going by pulling me when I start to slack off, and she never gets tired. These were not the only benefit's of running with her....so I thought. She never barks at anyone, and doesn't even seemed bothered when dogs bark at her. Last Wednesday night it was late so I didn't want to do the big 3 mile loop that I usually do because it's a bit scary at night. I decided to just run about a mile loop down around my house by the elementary school and back up. It was a very cold night, and my lungs were burning from the cold. I had a distinct feeling to not go the rout where I was headed, and that I should turn back. I had only gone about 5 blocks and didn't want to be a sissy and turn back. I decided that I would just run around the loop one time, and that I'd be fine because sage was with me even though it was about 9:00 at night. When I headed down the hill there is a dog tied up in front of a house that goes crazy when we pass by. Our dog doesn't pay it any attention and we continued down the hill. At the bottom of the hill I saw a man in snow boots and a warm winter coat coming my direction. At that moment I wished that our dog acted more confident and scary. It is a pretty dark street at the bottom of the hill and there are three vacant houses all in a row at the bottom of the hill. I turned at the bottom of the hill instead of going straight, and the man ran across the front of the corner house's lawn and met up with me on the road where I had turned. I hadn't noticed him running toward me but just figured that he lived in that house and was going inside. My dog all of the sudden started growling and barking at the man and tried to attack him to the point that it took all of my strength to pull her back . Sage (our dog) had never barked at anyone so this was a surprise-but a great relief. I realized that the man was right next to me and had ran across the lawn to get to me. I started sprinting while I opened my phone so that he would know that I could be calling the police. The man stepped back and all I heard is footsteps running through the snow. I don't know if he was turning around to run and cut us off on the other side of the loop, but I didn't look back 'till I got to the top of the hill (avoiding the loop). It didn't hit me how lucky I was 'till later that night when I remembered the distinct feeling that I received not to go where I was going. I felt so horrible for not listening to the spirit when I knew it was the spirit telling me I should be more cautious. The spirit later confirmed that it would have been a dangerous situation, and that I need to pay more to promptings that I receive. I don't know what the man was doing out at night in his snow gear-looking in windows, or just out for a cold winter night stroll. I just feel lucky that Sage was with me. I have never been fond of having a dog until now. It is great to know that she is a protector. I am forever grateful that she followed her instincts and reacted. I learned two things from this experience. #1 NEVER GO OUT ALONE AT NIGHT. YOU MAY THINK YOU LIVE IN THE SAFEST NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IN OUR TIMES THERE IS NO SUCH THING. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DOG, CARRY PEPPER SPRAY WHEN YOU ARE OUT WALKING OR RUNNING. #2 AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, DON'T TAKE THE HOLY GHOST FOR GRANTED. LIVE EVERYDAY TO BE WORTHY OF HAVING IT TO HELP YOU. IT IS A WONDERFUL GIFT GIVEN TO US TO GUIDE AND PROTECT US IN OUR LIVES. DON'T SECOND GUESS PROMPTINGS THAT YOU RECEIVE, JUST DO IT!