It's been a while since I've last posted anything, life is crazy! But I'm back and excited to share a profound insight I had today. It was one of those tender moments that kind of take your breath away when you realize the Lord is speaking directly to you and is perfectly aware of your current feelings and circumstances. It was something I needed right now, and I'm sure there are others who need it too, so I'm going to share it in hopes that it might bring comfort to any and all who read this. :)
There are times in life when we put in the work, we do our best, and we keep pushing forward in the face of adversity only to find ourselves disappointed and discouraged when some of our deepest desires remain unfulfilled and some of our most important prayers remain unanswered. We compare ourselves to others and our lives to theirs and wonder what we could have done differently or why our sincere efforts haven't been recognized by the Lord. Have you ever felt this way? I have on more than one occasion, and it can be very easy to get caught up in the idea that you've been forgotten or aren't good enough for the blessings you desire so deeply. However, this negative thought process is very far from the truth and shifts our focus off of our purpose here in mortality. I learned a valuable lesson today that has helped to broaden my perspective and understanding on this topic and on the true character of our Heavenly Father.
In Romans chapter 4, the apostle Paul writes to the Roman saints about Abraham from the Old Testament to teach them about faith and what sincere righteousness looks like. As we know from the Bible story, Abraham and Sara, despite their old age, were blessed with a son whom they named Isaac. It was a very great and surprising blessing and is a beautiful example of how the Lord keeps His promises to us when we follow Him, even if we have to be very patient for those blessings to come. In describing Abraham, Paul writes:
18. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be
19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb
20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God
21. And being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Abraham's great example teaches me how to hold on with faith to the Lord's promises, even when desired blessings don't come immediately despite our best efforts and our most earnest prayers.
My favorite part of this story, however, is that when God finally blessed Abraham, he blessed him abundantly. Not only did Abraham become a father to his beloved Isaac, but he became a father to the nations. The Lord kept his promise, despite the seemingly impossible circumstances. This hit me. There are going to be times in life when our deepest desires remain unfulfilled for what feels like forever, even when our efforts seem to justify us that we deserve otherwise. We will experience loss, heartache, and unwelcome change. BUT just like the story of Abraham, we can rest assured that not only will these experiences work for our good as we come close to the Lord during times of trial, but all will be made up, restored in full, and given abundantly, whether in this life or the next. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, every one of God's children will experience this blessing if they choose to take it, and I think that's a beautiful reminder during those days of discouragement.
Our Heavenly Father loves us and desires to bless us with everything that He has, even if those blessings don't come immediately and we have to trudge through the deep valleys of hardship and trial before they come. I love Him and can testify that He always keeps His promises. Because of my Savior and His atoning sacrifice for me, hope replaces my discouragement and oh how I love him for that. I love all of you, keep trusting and hanging on to the blessings our Father in Heaven has promised you. They will come, and when they do, they will come abundantly.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Thursday, September 20, 2018
The Sorrow That The Eye Can't See
I need to be honest.
Right now I feel weak, I feel alone, I feel lost and confused, I feel incapable. I feel like my own shortcomings and trials are holding me back and like my circumstances are too overwhelming to conquer. It's more frustrating than I can put into words - do you ever feel like that?
You know those times when it feels like God has put the brakes on your life and before you know it, months and months have passed by? Or for some, even years? Those times that cause you to cry out in desperation for help and for strength because you simply can't handle it all on your own anymore? Those trials that seem to shake the very foundation of all that you know, all that you love, and all that you are, and no matter how hard you try, heaven remains completely silent? Those scary moments when you feel emotionally numb from the inside out, and wonder if life really is just meant to be endured, and not enjoyed because if there is more to it, you can't feel or see it anymore? The lonely days where you sit there wondering what you did wrong and why you are so much less than the other people around you who seem to be accomplishing it all and then some? There have been few situations in my life quite as scary and unsettling as some of the ones I've been in lately where I've questioned whether I'll ever be myself again and whether I'll ever be able to see the world in the same light.
I don't write about this to complain and whine about the hardships in my life (I do enough of that already haha), rather, I do it to help you know that you are not alone in this crazy journey of life. I write to mourn with those who mourn, and to reach out to those who might be in similar circumstances and feel that no one on the planet understands, because I've been there and it's a scary feeling. LIFE IS HARD and it only gets harder when we carry around this pretend idea that everyone else around us has everything under control and that we're the only ones drowning. EVERYONE has their "stuff", whether that stuff is visible from the outside or not. There are no perfect people, there are no perfect lives, there are no perfect homes or relationships, and there are no perfect circumstances. No matter how convincing social media and the outside picture may appear, it just isn't true.
I don't believe that we came to this earth to try and convince the world around us that we live flawless lives, untouched by hardship, discomfort, and weakness. Think of the ways we could reach and comfort each other if we were all a little more honest about the fact that life isn't perfect, and that sometimes we fall down physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Human beings are attracted to other human beings with whom they can relate, people who they feel will understand them and not act shocked or be judgmental about the pains that they suffer.
So let me be honest. Sometimes life looks really confusing to me and I don't always know which way to go or which decision to make and I have to take a very shaky step into the dark. Sometimes I'm anxious and fearful and I don't always have the kind of faith and courage that I think I should have. Sometimes I feel very weak in every way possible and I need help from those around me. I go through spiritual highs and lows (we all do, I promise) and although I have a testimony of what I love and know to be true, sometimes I have questions and I doubt because I can't see the full picture and my heart is hurting. Sometimes I feel so angry and frustrated and hurt that it's hard to be kind and it's hard to have a good attitude and to serve others and I find myself complaining to Heavenly Father and asking Him where He is and why my life isn't different. Sometimes (a lot of times) I'm impatient in my trials and I just want to know the solution without going through the process of growth and refinement because it's too uncomfortable.
BUT
We have a Savior, someone who in some remarkable and unfathomable way lived each and every life and knows each individual perfectly. He is always there even when you mess up, even when you fall, and even when you choose to turn away because you're frustrated and hurt. His love is inescapable and unbreakable whether you feel it or not and believe me, there are times when it seems nearly impossible to feel it. Rely on Him when you don't have the strength, trust in Him when your faith is gone, lay your pains and weaknesses at His feet, share with Him the burdens you've been asked to bear. We are on this earth to experience His great love and to be His healing hands as we work to acquire His gifts of perfect compassion and empathy for our brothers and sisters.
We were not created to go through this life alone. Be honest about all of your feelings and problems with the God who gave you life, He wants to hear it all from you. Even when He doesn't answer right away or send the blessings or healing power you were hoping for, He is still always listening, and He is more patient and kind than we understand. Though He cares sincerely like any good parent when we hurt and suffer, His main concern is our growth and progression because He sees the priceless gift that we oftentimes lost sight of - our potential. Sometimes He will feel very far away, but if we are to learn to become as He is, we have to try walking on our own sometimes. Never alone, but on our own enough to prove and increase our strength and progression. This means that we will fall and scrape our hands and knees along the path, but never without the healing balm of Christ's Atonement and His strong arms to lift us back up.
You are loved. You are not alone. You have friends in this world and if you feel like you don't, I'll be your friend. No, life will never be perfect, but things do get better, I promise.
Right now I feel weak, I feel alone, I feel lost and confused, I feel incapable. I feel like my own shortcomings and trials are holding me back and like my circumstances are too overwhelming to conquer. It's more frustrating than I can put into words - do you ever feel like that?
You know those times when it feels like God has put the brakes on your life and before you know it, months and months have passed by? Or for some, even years? Those times that cause you to cry out in desperation for help and for strength because you simply can't handle it all on your own anymore? Those trials that seem to shake the very foundation of all that you know, all that you love, and all that you are, and no matter how hard you try, heaven remains completely silent? Those scary moments when you feel emotionally numb from the inside out, and wonder if life really is just meant to be endured, and not enjoyed because if there is more to it, you can't feel or see it anymore? The lonely days where you sit there wondering what you did wrong and why you are so much less than the other people around you who seem to be accomplishing it all and then some? There have been few situations in my life quite as scary and unsettling as some of the ones I've been in lately where I've questioned whether I'll ever be myself again and whether I'll ever be able to see the world in the same light.
I don't write about this to complain and whine about the hardships in my life (I do enough of that already haha), rather, I do it to help you know that you are not alone in this crazy journey of life. I write to mourn with those who mourn, and to reach out to those who might be in similar circumstances and feel that no one on the planet understands, because I've been there and it's a scary feeling. LIFE IS HARD and it only gets harder when we carry around this pretend idea that everyone else around us has everything under control and that we're the only ones drowning. EVERYONE has their "stuff", whether that stuff is visible from the outside or not. There are no perfect people, there are no perfect lives, there are no perfect homes or relationships, and there are no perfect circumstances. No matter how convincing social media and the outside picture may appear, it just isn't true.
I don't believe that we came to this earth to try and convince the world around us that we live flawless lives, untouched by hardship, discomfort, and weakness. Think of the ways we could reach and comfort each other if we were all a little more honest about the fact that life isn't perfect, and that sometimes we fall down physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Human beings are attracted to other human beings with whom they can relate, people who they feel will understand them and not act shocked or be judgmental about the pains that they suffer.
So let me be honest. Sometimes life looks really confusing to me and I don't always know which way to go or which decision to make and I have to take a very shaky step into the dark. Sometimes I'm anxious and fearful and I don't always have the kind of faith and courage that I think I should have. Sometimes I feel very weak in every way possible and I need help from those around me. I go through spiritual highs and lows (we all do, I promise) and although I have a testimony of what I love and know to be true, sometimes I have questions and I doubt because I can't see the full picture and my heart is hurting. Sometimes I feel so angry and frustrated and hurt that it's hard to be kind and it's hard to have a good attitude and to serve others and I find myself complaining to Heavenly Father and asking Him where He is and why my life isn't different. Sometimes (a lot of times) I'm impatient in my trials and I just want to know the solution without going through the process of growth and refinement because it's too uncomfortable.
BUT
We have a Savior, someone who in some remarkable and unfathomable way lived each and every life and knows each individual perfectly. He is always there even when you mess up, even when you fall, and even when you choose to turn away because you're frustrated and hurt. His love is inescapable and unbreakable whether you feel it or not and believe me, there are times when it seems nearly impossible to feel it. Rely on Him when you don't have the strength, trust in Him when your faith is gone, lay your pains and weaknesses at His feet, share with Him the burdens you've been asked to bear. We are on this earth to experience His great love and to be His healing hands as we work to acquire His gifts of perfect compassion and empathy for our brothers and sisters.
We were not created to go through this life alone. Be honest about all of your feelings and problems with the God who gave you life, He wants to hear it all from you. Even when He doesn't answer right away or send the blessings or healing power you were hoping for, He is still always listening, and He is more patient and kind than we understand. Though He cares sincerely like any good parent when we hurt and suffer, His main concern is our growth and progression because He sees the priceless gift that we oftentimes lost sight of - our potential. Sometimes He will feel very far away, but if we are to learn to become as He is, we have to try walking on our own sometimes. Never alone, but on our own enough to prove and increase our strength and progression. This means that we will fall and scrape our hands and knees along the path, but never without the healing balm of Christ's Atonement and His strong arms to lift us back up.
You are loved. You are not alone. You have friends in this world and if you feel like you don't, I'll be your friend. No, life will never be perfect, but things do get better, I promise.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Let Us Not Forget
We are just a couple of days away from our 2018 spring General Conference and personally, I couldn't feel more ready. Life lately has given me some of those trials that make you feel extra in need of spiritual rejuvenation and that cause you to cry out for greater strength to keep going, and I always find peace and answers as I listen to our living prophet and his apostles. I am grateful that conference blesses and uplifts me in this way and that it has a powerful uplifting and strengthening effect on millions of people across the globe every six months.
But because so many of us are blessed by this spiritual gathering, as is intended by our church leaders, it is sometimes easy for us to unintentionally overlook or fail to recognize certain individuals who may not be having the same experience as the rest of us. Individuals who feel that they have sinned beyond the reach of help and cannot come back. Individuals who obsess over the idea of perfection and no matter how hard they try, they just can't seem to match up to the requirements being asked. Individuals who feel that because of their sexual orientation, they do not belong or do not have a place among the members of Christ's church. How absolutely untrue these statements are, but for some, this weekend can cause feelings of great marginalization and exclusion and even lead to a peak in the suicide rate in Utah, according to the information recently shared with me by my sociology professor. May we please not forget our brothers and sisters who feel that they're on the outside or like they don't fit in. I hope that we can be more conscious and sensitive to those who need a friend and to those who feel that they are beyond the reach of Jesus Christ's outstretched hand. We are God's instruments in lifting and loving His children, despite any differences that might exist between us, and if we all make a greater effort to become more aware of those suffering around us, we can make a big difference in our communities and in the lives of others. How beautiful would that be?
A couple of days ago, I was reminded of Jeffrey R. Holland's talk from the April 2016 conference and I haven't been able to stop thinking about how well some of the statements he makes apply to this very issue. He shares,
"...if in the days ahead you not only see limitations in those around you but also find elements in your own life that don’t yet measure up to the messages you have heard this weekend, please don’t be cast down in spirit and don’t give up. The gospel, the Church, and these wonderful semiannual gatherings are intended to give hope and inspiration. They are not intended to discourage you. Only the adversary, the enemy of us all, would try to convince us that the ideals outlined in general conference are depressing and unrealistic, that people don’t really improve, that no one really progresses. And why does Lucifer give that speech? Because he knows he can’t improve, he can’t progress, that worlds without end he will never have a bright tomorrow. He is a miserable man bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too. Well, don’t fall for that. With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed."
How absolutely true this is!! General Conference is not just a time to recognize all of the faults and weaknesses we might have, but it is also a time to recognize the things we're doing right and the ways that we can come closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. How can we reach out and help others realize this same truth? How can we use this sacred weekend to include those who feel that they're on the outside and how can we apply the messages we will hear to become better, stronger, and more charitable people?
Jesus Christ's gospel is a message of HOPE and of LOVE. It is not a demand to be perfect right now, it is not a place to be judged or excluded. Every single person is in need of grace and although comparison can be very tempting, there is no perfect person out there who has it all figured out; contrary to what we might think sometimes. Trust me, I've fallen into this trap too many times and it simply isn't true. I know that our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, his Twelve Apostles, the Quorum of the Seventy, and all other general auxiliary leaders have our best interest at heart. They do communicate with God and receive direction that will bless and protect all members of the human family. I know that if we come to this conference with our questions; with an open heart and a spirit of humility, having prayed to a loving Father, we can and we will receive personalized messages that are meant for each one of us. God knows exactly what we need on a detailed, individual basis, and as a worldwide church organization and he will never leave us in the dark in this confusing world. This doesn't always mean that answers will be immediate because many times they are not, but answers will come.
To summarize the purpose of my message here, I want to end with another quote from Elder Holland's talk. He states,
"If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow—and every other day—is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us. A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth 'that all things work together for good to them that love God.' So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."
You guys, life is hard and trials do come. Sometimes things seem confusing, we don't always get our way, and things don't always work out the way we think they should or in the timing we'd prefer. But I can testify that we do have a Savior who loves us more than we could ever imagine. With Easter coming up this Sunday as well, what a perfect opportunity to draw closer to Jesus Christ and to strengthen our personal relationship with Him. He suffered and died for every one of us. For you. Not because he was forced to, not because he didn't have the power to stop what was unjustly being done to Him, but because He wanted to. He chose to. Nothing is more important to Him than US and our eternal joy. I know with a certainty that he is perfectly aware of every struggle, every pain, and every unfairness that encompasses our lives. He experienced these things before we ever did, and He lives to comfort, carry, heal, bless, relieve, enlighten, and wipe away all tears if we will just choose to let Him in. I don't always understand the challenges that come my way and I don't always handle them with as much grace as I wish I could (because I'm human), but I am beginning to learn that my Savior wants nothing more than to stand by my side and to help me carry my burdens because I'm not strong enough to carry them on my own. He is becoming my best friend, and He will always be our best friend no matter what. I love Him and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to celebrate His atoning sacrifice and HIs triumphal resurrection this weekend.
Share this message with your friends and your family and especially with those in need who might feel that they're on the outside at this time. Nothing is more powerful than the love of Jesus Christ, and this weekend can be incredibly powerful if we give our best efforts to help all around us feel included, accepted, and loved for exactly who they are. I love you all so much and I thank you for taking the time to read this blog of mine.
But because so many of us are blessed by this spiritual gathering, as is intended by our church leaders, it is sometimes easy for us to unintentionally overlook or fail to recognize certain individuals who may not be having the same experience as the rest of us. Individuals who feel that they have sinned beyond the reach of help and cannot come back. Individuals who obsess over the idea of perfection and no matter how hard they try, they just can't seem to match up to the requirements being asked. Individuals who feel that because of their sexual orientation, they do not belong or do not have a place among the members of Christ's church. How absolutely untrue these statements are, but for some, this weekend can cause feelings of great marginalization and exclusion and even lead to a peak in the suicide rate in Utah, according to the information recently shared with me by my sociology professor. May we please not forget our brothers and sisters who feel that they're on the outside or like they don't fit in. I hope that we can be more conscious and sensitive to those who need a friend and to those who feel that they are beyond the reach of Jesus Christ's outstretched hand. We are God's instruments in lifting and loving His children, despite any differences that might exist between us, and if we all make a greater effort to become more aware of those suffering around us, we can make a big difference in our communities and in the lives of others. How beautiful would that be?
A couple of days ago, I was reminded of Jeffrey R. Holland's talk from the April 2016 conference and I haven't been able to stop thinking about how well some of the statements he makes apply to this very issue. He shares,
"...if in the days ahead you not only see limitations in those around you but also find elements in your own life that don’t yet measure up to the messages you have heard this weekend, please don’t be cast down in spirit and don’t give up. The gospel, the Church, and these wonderful semiannual gatherings are intended to give hope and inspiration. They are not intended to discourage you. Only the adversary, the enemy of us all, would try to convince us that the ideals outlined in general conference are depressing and unrealistic, that people don’t really improve, that no one really progresses. And why does Lucifer give that speech? Because he knows he can’t improve, he can’t progress, that worlds without end he will never have a bright tomorrow. He is a miserable man bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too. Well, don’t fall for that. With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed."
How absolutely true this is!! General Conference is not just a time to recognize all of the faults and weaknesses we might have, but it is also a time to recognize the things we're doing right and the ways that we can come closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. How can we reach out and help others realize this same truth? How can we use this sacred weekend to include those who feel that they're on the outside and how can we apply the messages we will hear to become better, stronger, and more charitable people?
Jesus Christ's gospel is a message of HOPE and of LOVE. It is not a demand to be perfect right now, it is not a place to be judged or excluded. Every single person is in need of grace and although comparison can be very tempting, there is no perfect person out there who has it all figured out; contrary to what we might think sometimes. Trust me, I've fallen into this trap too many times and it simply isn't true. I know that our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, his Twelve Apostles, the Quorum of the Seventy, and all other general auxiliary leaders have our best interest at heart. They do communicate with God and receive direction that will bless and protect all members of the human family. I know that if we come to this conference with our questions; with an open heart and a spirit of humility, having prayed to a loving Father, we can and we will receive personalized messages that are meant for each one of us. God knows exactly what we need on a detailed, individual basis, and as a worldwide church organization and he will never leave us in the dark in this confusing world. This doesn't always mean that answers will be immediate because many times they are not, but answers will come.
To summarize the purpose of my message here, I want to end with another quote from Elder Holland's talk. He states,
"If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow—and every other day—is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us. A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth 'that all things work together for good to them that love God.' So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."
You guys, life is hard and trials do come. Sometimes things seem confusing, we don't always get our way, and things don't always work out the way we think they should or in the timing we'd prefer. But I can testify that we do have a Savior who loves us more than we could ever imagine. With Easter coming up this Sunday as well, what a perfect opportunity to draw closer to Jesus Christ and to strengthen our personal relationship with Him. He suffered and died for every one of us. For you. Not because he was forced to, not because he didn't have the power to stop what was unjustly being done to Him, but because He wanted to. He chose to. Nothing is more important to Him than US and our eternal joy. I know with a certainty that he is perfectly aware of every struggle, every pain, and every unfairness that encompasses our lives. He experienced these things before we ever did, and He lives to comfort, carry, heal, bless, relieve, enlighten, and wipe away all tears if we will just choose to let Him in. I don't always understand the challenges that come my way and I don't always handle them with as much grace as I wish I could (because I'm human), but I am beginning to learn that my Savior wants nothing more than to stand by my side and to help me carry my burdens because I'm not strong enough to carry them on my own. He is becoming my best friend, and He will always be our best friend no matter what. I love Him and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to celebrate His atoning sacrifice and HIs triumphal resurrection this weekend.
Share this message with your friends and your family and especially with those in need who might feel that they're on the outside at this time. Nothing is more powerful than the love of Jesus Christ, and this weekend can be incredibly powerful if we give our best efforts to help all around us feel included, accepted, and loved for exactly who they are. I love you all so much and I thank you for taking the time to read this blog of mine.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
He is the Way
Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye and I'll be honest, between the family parties, traditions, and last minute Christmas shopping, I found it a little difficult to stay focused on my Savior this year. Hopefully I'm not alone in this! However, Christmas morning after I finished exchanging gifts with my family, I was touched and had a little bit of time to reflect on what the Savior's life means for me personally. I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts here and as always, I love to hear how the gospel blesses and strengthens others as well, so please do share.
The joy that I feel in my life wouldn't exist without my Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of His birth, his mortal ministry, and His atoning sacrifice, we have great reason to hold on to faith - hope truly is made alive through Christ. Without Him, we would all be lost souls with no one to turn to and no way to return to live with our Heavenly Father. We need Him, and He wants us in return and I think that's pretty great. Our Savior's life mission aligned perfectly with God's grand purpose in the sense that with everything He did, with every lesson He taught, and with every pain that He felt, He had us in mind. He had YOU in mind. We know this is what our Heavenly Father desires as we read in Moses 1:39 that states, "For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The Savior's purpose is to assist the Father in bringing us home and the miracle is that because of Him, we CAN come home to live with God and our loved ones for eternity. It really is possible! How beautiful is that?
The Savior is the primary evidence of God's love for us. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" - John 3:16. Jesus Christ is the way and the light. Faith, hope, and joy simply wouldn't exist without Him - there is no other way because He is the way. As I continue to study the Savior's life, to learn of Him, and to draw closer and strengthen my relationship with Him, the more I begin to see what His life means for me and how His perfect love allows me to thrive. For me, I am able to overcome and change because of Christ. I have the strength to conquer trials, to forgive when it seems impossible, and to be more patient and kind with others. The miracle of His life gives me hope for a better tomorrow, a hope that I can one day reach my full potential, a hope that I can live with God and see my deceased loved ones again, and a promise that as I simply give my best efforts and learn to use the atonement, Christ will make up the difference when I fall short. He loves me, He loves you, and He loved the world enough to come to earth in very humble circumstances and selflessly redeem all mankind. I still have a lot to learn, but these things I know with a surety because of the peace and joy I experience each day as I try to remember Him and emulate His life.
So if you're like me and you felt a little discouraged because of busyness and distraction this Christmas season, don't give up. We're human and thankfully God fully understands that! I challenge you to join me in doing what you can each day to draw closer to Jesus Christ and to reflect on the humility and simplicity of His birth, the wisdom and grace of His life, and the majesty and reverence of His atoning sacrifice. I feel closest to Him when I pray each day, listen to uplifting music that invites the Spirit, and give my best try to read the scriptures and connect to God - even if it's only a couple of verses. Moving forward with small steps and trying is better than not trying at all and that's a lesson I'm learning! I love my Savior, I love the wonderful people in my life who have shown me His character, and I'm grateful for what His birth means for me. How grateful I am for Him and all that I have and can hope to have because of Him.
Click here to watch one of my very favorite videos that so beautifully portrays Christ's attributes and has helped me to come to know Him better, I highly recommend it. :)
Sunday, August 27, 2017
I Know in Whom I Have Trusted
Over the past couple of months, I have really been feeling the stresses and pressures of growing up and doing "adult things", as I like to say, haha! Unfortunately, my mind likes to do this thing where I fast forward and think of all of the big things I need to do/want to do in my life, and I suddenly find myself feeling SO inadequate. SO fearful. I begin to compare myself to other kids around my age and I only end up feeling overwhelmed and not too happy with myself.
I have been forgetting something oh so important, and I hope that this reminder can bless someone else as much as it has blessed me.
God has an individual and personalized plan for each and every one of His children. Just as no two people are alike, no life, plan for that life, or human journey is identical or looks the same. Our Heavenly Father has created this world with a lot of diversity. The beauty of that is that although as followers of Jesus Christ we are working towards one large and ultimate goal, we don't all get there in the same way. We all come from different circumstances, different backgrounds and families. We've all had different experiences, we all have different personalities, desires, interests, and characteristics, and we are all needed in different places at different times. It is silly to compare our life and where we're at with someone else, because we are different. As I've taken some bigger "growing up" steps in my life recently and as I have been thrust into a bigger world, I have found myself playing the comparison game way too much, and it only makes you unhappy!! I get on social media or I talk to people at work or school and everyone else seems to be out in the world doing big things, but not me! I'm not traveling to do humanitarian work in another country, I'm not moving out to be on my own just yet, and at this point in my life anyway, I'm not submitting mission papers. Those are just a few examples of course, but sometimes I feel like because I'm not doing all of those things, I am somehow falling short. I am somehow not as good or progressing as much as those around me, because my plan doesn't quite match theirs. THAT IS NOT TRUE. Satan loves when we compare ourselves to other people and he loves to make us feel inadequate and overwhelmed because when we feel that way, he succeeds in distracting us from the special and unique plan that Heavenly Father has created for each one of us individually. The funny thing is, when I really stop and take the time to pray and ask Heavenly Father what I need to be doing, I realize that I feel complete peace and affirmation with where I am right now in life and with what I'm doing. Unfortunately, the adversary has succeeded in causing me to become distracted and to look everywhere else for that affirmation, and comparing my life plan to the life plans of others hasn't helped me feel that peace at all.
I was talking to my dad about all of these concerns of mine a couple days ago and he reminded me that we don't always need to travel far to find purpose and work to do. Sometimes we don't realize why we are needed in a certain place at a certain time, but if we trust Heavenly Father and continually ask him for guidance as we move along in life, He will help lead us to where we need to be, even if that means staying where we are. My steps may not appear as big as someone else's from the outside, but to me, they're big steps and most importantly, the steps are being taken in God's timing and they're following His plan for ME. I am slowly learning to be more happy with my own individual journey and the personality and characteristics I have that allow me the opportunity to do great things on that journey. I have been forgetting to rely on Jesus Christ like I should be, and when we forget to trust Him and to put our faith in Him, we become doubtful, fearful, and feel lost. He loves us. He understands us perfectly; our limitations, our strengths, our fears, our desires, and He has a plan that fits and molds those things beautifully.
Don't forget to trust that all loving creator who wants to see you happy and who will always help you in your efforts to build up His kingdom.
Monday, July 31, 2017
A Gospel of Becoming
Back in June, I started my freshman year of college at BYU. In the summer. Crazy right? But I am SO grateful life lead me to where I am right now because I have already learned and benefited so much from my one little religion class on the Book of Mormon. Because summer term is so short, the course is accelerated and we've covered a ton of material, but there seems to be one underlying theme that my professor keeps coming back to almost every class, and it has changed my outlook entirely:
This gospel is a gospel of becoming.
I think it's easy to look at the gospel of Jesus Christ as a list of do's and dont's. A strict set of rules that we are required to follow in order to prove by the end of our lives whether the majority of our deeds were good, or bad. Although there is truth in that, I want to take it a step further. Heavenly Father didn't give us commandments for them to simply be followed. His laws and guidelines serve a greater and a deeper purpose. They are tools designed to help us CHANGE and BECOME something. We aren't told to serve our neighbor simply because God tells us to; rather, we are asked to serve our neighbor in order to change our hearts and our countenance and to develop greater Christ-like attributes. We aren't told to love others just because God says it is the right thing to do, but because by doing so, we are slowly becoming more and more like God himself. We are behaving as He would and becoming more than what we were the day before.
Sometimes I get so overwhelmed and caught up with my "religion checklist" of things I'm supposed to be doing, that I start to forget the purpose behind why I'm doing those things. For example, daily scripture study has always been a weakness of mine, especially because I wasn't always seeing it the way I see it now. For a long time, reading the scriptures everyday was just an item on my religion checklist that I was doing because it's the right thing to do. True? Yes. BUT, I was forgetting the very purpose behind the action. A daily habit of scripture study is a commandment and tool that helps mold and shape the spirit into reaching a divine potential. It is a tool to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior, to help us learn and change our actions, and to become something better than we were before reading. This is just one example from my life, but this principle pertains to every rule and guideline found in Christ's gospel. Our daily righteous actions, though some may seem small, always have a purpose and are designed to refine us. They are not just a set of do's and dont's. It is important to remember that we do keep God's commandments out of obedience because He has asked us to keep them, but His guidelines become a whole lot more meaningful when we recognize and remember the purpose behind the action. If we're seeing these guidelines simply as a checklist that will give us more "good marks" in heaven upon completion, then we've missed the point. What can we become from creating these daily habits? How can we change by keeping the commandments? How will doing these things ultimately help us reach our divine potential and bring us back to our Father in Heaven? When I started viewing the Church of Jesus Christ in this light, everything changed for me. It makes sense that God wouldn't ask us to do something unless it had the power to help us become all that we have potential to become.
Dallin H. Oaks gave an amazing talk titled, The Challenge to Become, that helps to explain this topic more in depth. One of my favorite parts states -
This gospel is a gospel of becoming.
I think it's easy to look at the gospel of Jesus Christ as a list of do's and dont's. A strict set of rules that we are required to follow in order to prove by the end of our lives whether the majority of our deeds were good, or bad. Although there is truth in that, I want to take it a step further. Heavenly Father didn't give us commandments for them to simply be followed. His laws and guidelines serve a greater and a deeper purpose. They are tools designed to help us CHANGE and BECOME something. We aren't told to serve our neighbor simply because God tells us to; rather, we are asked to serve our neighbor in order to change our hearts and our countenance and to develop greater Christ-like attributes. We aren't told to love others just because God says it is the right thing to do, but because by doing so, we are slowly becoming more and more like God himself. We are behaving as He would and becoming more than what we were the day before.
Sometimes I get so overwhelmed and caught up with my "religion checklist" of things I'm supposed to be doing, that I start to forget the purpose behind why I'm doing those things. For example, daily scripture study has always been a weakness of mine, especially because I wasn't always seeing it the way I see it now. For a long time, reading the scriptures everyday was just an item on my religion checklist that I was doing because it's the right thing to do. True? Yes. BUT, I was forgetting the very purpose behind the action. A daily habit of scripture study is a commandment and tool that helps mold and shape the spirit into reaching a divine potential. It is a tool to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior, to help us learn and change our actions, and to become something better than we were before reading. This is just one example from my life, but this principle pertains to every rule and guideline found in Christ's gospel. Our daily righteous actions, though some may seem small, always have a purpose and are designed to refine us. They are not just a set of do's and dont's. It is important to remember that we do keep God's commandments out of obedience because He has asked us to keep them, but His guidelines become a whole lot more meaningful when we recognize and remember the purpose behind the action. If we're seeing these guidelines simply as a checklist that will give us more "good marks" in heaven upon completion, then we've missed the point. What can we become from creating these daily habits? How can we change by keeping the commandments? How will doing these things ultimately help us reach our divine potential and bring us back to our Father in Heaven? When I started viewing the Church of Jesus Christ in this light, everything changed for me. It makes sense that God wouldn't ask us to do something unless it had the power to help us become all that we have potential to become.
"Many Bible and modern scriptures speak of a final judgment at which all persons will be rewarded according to their deeds or works or the desires of their hearts. But other scriptures enlarge upon this by referring to our being judged by the condition we have achieved...The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."
You guys, we have a loving Heavenly Father who expects the very best from us and He doesn't expect us to get there alone. He has provided a church with guidelines and most importantly, a Savior to assist us on our journey of becoming. He loves us and sees our potential, and that is why He requires so much of us. Through Jesus Christ, we CAN become better everyday and it IS possible to return to God with a character more like Christ's. I hope that when that day comes for me, I can say that the desires of my heart are more aligned with my Father's, and that I have become a little better and come a little closer to who I was designed to be.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Who You Really Are
Earlier today, I was complaining to my patient mom about some of my own physical imperfections and flaws that I'm currently frustrated about. It's just been one of those weeks where I've been a little more down about myself and everything seems so much worse than what it actually is, ya know? Thankfully, I was quickly reminded of a crucially important truth, and I really want to share that with you.
The adversary can be pretty tricky and can get us to believe a lot of things that just aren't true. Our world these days focuses a great deal on appearance, status, materialism, etc., and Satan wants us to believe that every bit of it determines our worth and purpose as an individual. He takes great pleasure when we compare ourselves to others who seem so much better off than us, and when we do that, we begin to tread down a dangerous path that will, in time, lead us further and further away from one of the most important truths in our lives. Satan targets those things which are most precious, and one of those precious things is our divine heritage, where we came from, who we really are, and what that means to us.
YOU are a son or daughter of the most infinite, divine, grand, and loving being in the universe. He knows you personally, He knows you by name. He knows all of the things that make you happy, the things that make you sad. He is there during your greatest victories and most joyful moments, and He is always there during your times of defeat and greatest sorrow. He loves your personality, your quirks, your interests and talents that make you unique. He loves you just the way you are right now - imperfections and all. As I began writing this, one of my very favorite scriptures came to mind:
But the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. - 1 Samuel 16:7
What a beautiful truth!! Our Father in Heaven sees so much beyond outward appearance, status, and material things. He sees us for our hearts, our best efforts, and our good works. Part of becoming like Jesus Christ is learning this principle ourselves and practicing it with our fellowmen. I have found it very powerful to view others through the Savior's eyes, and I can promise you that it is one of the most rewarding experiences you can ever have. When we catch even a glimpse of how our Heavenly Father views His children, it is humbling beyond description and the love you feel for that individual in that moment is indescribable.
So in the times when you don't feel like you're worth very much, remember who's child you are. When you feel that you don't serve much of a purpose, remember where you came from. Because of our divine heritage and the God-given power within each of us, we have the strength and the knowledge to see through Satan's lies and to shut his negativity out of our lives in all that he tries to do. "Remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." - D&C 18:10
I think one of the greatest manifestations of God's love to us is the mere fact that He was willing to sacrifice His only begotten son for all mankind, that all might be saved and have the chance to return and live with Him forever. This justifies that He must love and cherish us a great deal! And our Savior's willingness to suffer every pain, sin, affliction, and temptation has proven His undying love in great magnitude. I wish I could give everyone a hug who is reading this, I want you to know that you are loved!!! I came across a quote one day by Rosemary M. Wixom that states, "Because you are God's child, you not only need Him, but He needs you." I know this is so true. Our Heavenly Father would do anything to bring us back into His presence.
We are royal sons and daughters who belong to the kingdom of God. We each have purpose, we each have work to do and lives to touch here on earth. It doesn't matter what we look like, how much money we have, or how many likes or followers we get on social media. YOU are His child, you are equal, and as my dad would say, worth more than diamonds and rubies in His eyes.
Don't lose sight of who you really are, and you will do great things. I promise.
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