Alma 15:18

Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.

I found this to be just such a sweet and tender moment in this story. Just think about Amulek and how much he needed strengthening.

He had suffered great loss.  Here's what we know about him. He was a man of no small reputation. He had many friends and kindred. He had been industrious and was a wealthy man.

Then he befriends Alma and is taken before the chief judge with Alma and cast into prison where the two of them are abused daily. He's forced to witness the death of the women and children who had believed their teachings. He leaves everything - his family, home, and welath to go with Alma. He is rejected by those who had been his friends and by his father and his family. And with all this he stays true to his testimony.

I have not felt well for about a week now. My sinuses are filled and my ears are all plugged. Every morning I've had nausea. I just want to sleep, I am so tired.

I believe this social distancing is getting to me. I feel depressed and worn. I need "strengthening in the Lord." I have to figure out how to take care of my emotional and spiritual needs so that I can survive this pandemic. I long for company, for my family, for hugs and laughter and games and picnics and summer activities.

I look at pictures of people having fun on social media and want to cry. I am as worn as Amulek and I long for rejuvenation.

Fortunately, I know what I need to do to get myself centered again. I learned many years ago from Pat Holland. Her talk is in the October 1987 Ensign magazine (One Thing is Needful). I sat and read it again this morning. After all these years it's still speaks to me.

"How do we as women make that quantum leap from being troubled and worried too being women of even greater faith?"

"Our loving Father in Heaven seemed to be whispering to me, “You don’t have to worry over so many things. The one thing that is needful—the only thing that is truly needful—is to keep your eyes toward the sun—my Son.” Suddenly I had true peace. I knew that my life had always been in his hands—from the very beginning! The sea lying peacefully before my eyes had been tempest-tossed and dangerous—many, many times. All I needed to do was to renew my faith, and get a firm grasp on his hand—and together we could walk on the water."