Lord, Let Them See You in Me

I was reminded yesterday that prayers are HEARD and not only that, but they're also ANSWERED.  Not always immediately or the way we think, that's for sure, but a loving Father in Heaven does hear us and does answer in his timing, according to our faith and willingness to commit to Him.  

I love watching one event in life lead to the next, and then that event leads to something else, and pretty soon you find yourself in a place or doing something that wasn't even in your realm of thought the day before.  Our Heavenly Father has a very detailed plan for each one of His children and if we align our will with his, He will lead us to great things.  That's what happened to me yesterday while I was having a particularly rough time, and that's why I'm here on this blog writing my thoughts and impressions right now.  Isn't it great that God can bring the good and the beautiful out of every bad, misery, pain, or affliction?  It's so so true you guys, He really can do that.  

I've always grown up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and for that I've always felt incredibly blessed, truly.  I won't pretend that I've never taken things for granted in this gospel, but the older I've gotten and the more I see myself grow, the more Christ's teachings become so real, so personal, and so sweet to me.  I would say that my real and deep conversion to following Jesus Christ happened my ninth grade year; my first year of seminary.  I had an amazing teacher and I will never forget my first day and what he shared with me.  It was not a physical or tangible gift, it was something better and something lasting.  He shared with me his passion and his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I remember his eyes welling up with tears as he shared his heartfelt beliefs and testimony.  You could see how badly he wanted us to feel what he felt.  To experience what he had experienced.  I don't remember most of the details about his lesson, but I do remember him emphasizing how grand God's plan is for each and every one of us, how infinite and perfect God himself is, and what that means for each of us individually.  I left class in awe, completely overcome by the Spirit, and that's when it clicked.  This gospel was more than just something I was born into and grew up believing and practicing.  This was something big.  For me, for you.  For all who have lived, are living, and will ever live.  And after that, I just couldn't get enough.  This is more than just a religion, this is real and pure HAPPINESS.  Truly!  Trust me on this one.    

As I've grown and experienced a little bit more of life, I've found myself slowly, step-by-step, discovering more of my purpose and what I can do for others.  I've been able to discover some of my deepest passions in life, and little by little, I've discovered that one of my greatest loves and joys in this world is making others feel loved, important, and helping them understand that they are not beyond the reach of help or hope.  I crave that incredible feeling you get when you see someone's eyes light up for the first time in a long time, as they realize something about themselves or about Heavenly Father that they may have forgotten or may have never realized before.  It is the greatest thing in the world to me!!!  Seriously, I love it so dang much.  One of my favorite quotes of all time and something I work hard to implement into my character everyday is simply this, "Lord, let them see you in me."  I am no perfect person, that doesn't exist!  But as I do my best each day and strive to better myself through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I've learned that I can be an instrument in the Lord's hands and that through my love, I can help others discover that there is a God who loves them too, more than any of us could ever comprehend in this life.  That is what I want.  As scary and nerve racking as it can be sometimes to openly share your heart and your testimony, I have such a desire to do it, because I want others to partake of the joy that I so freely partake of every single day.  To put it like Nephi, "my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn."  This is my small way of sharing with others the pure joy and the love that I have found through Jesus Christ, so my invitation to you is to find out for yourselves what this happiness is all about and what it can do for you.  I promise you won't regret it. :)  

How are you an instrument in the Lord's hands?  What talents, abilities and interests has He given you that allow you to share this message with others?  I would love to read what you guys have to say in the comments below!