I served In Rochester and Buffalo New York helping others come unto Jesus Christ. I was there for 18 months. It changed my life. I came to know how much God loves all of us, and how he answers our prayers.
When we come to know our relationship with God a little better, the light of Jesus Christ enters our life; with that light comes joy and clarity. Here is how I see it- once we have been shown that light, it is then our duty to help others find it too. We all can be conduits of God light to others. We need to be ourselves; just shaped and molded by the commandments of God.
We are like windows! When we are clean and pure in our thoughts and actions, Gods light can shine through us. Remember that all windows are different, some are rippled, stained glass, thick or thin. Let us all decide who we are, and discover the gifts that Heavenly Father has given us. We are individual children of God with a spiritual heritage, and He has given us gifts. We can use those gifts to help others. Living Gods commandments will purify us. The light will shine through us to give light and warmth to others.
I love these thoughts on light-
“One fault to be avoided by the Saints, young and old, is the tendency to live on borrowed light, with their own hidden under a bushel; to permit the savor of their salt of knowledge to be lost; and the light within them to be reflected, rather than original. …" Joseph F. Smith
"We can be like a mirror and direct light even into dark places. We are not the sources of light; nevertheless, through us light can be reflected to others." Ted E. Brewerton
"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." Mosiah 16:9
I know that Jesus Christ is the light, and we can be conduits to reduce the darkness in the world. When we draw near to Jesus Christ, He will draw near to us.
I just have so many thoughts that don't quite go together in one blog this month. So I hope you enjoy the list of things I've learned lately.
1. We often think, "I'd be really happy or fulfilled if only I had this (fill in blank)" But this will never make us happy. We must make a decision to be happy in each stage of life.
2. To ask peoples opinion is important. To ask Gods opinion is most important.
3. Lead your neighbor in light and one day they may lead you.
4. If you Love God and yourself and others, you are set. All you need is love.
5. EVERYTHING in the scriptures can be tied back to Jesus Christ. Because it is His sacrifice which will make all the unfair things about our life, right again. The scriptures and prayer are there to heal you.
6. Family is what matters most.
7. Angels are real.
8. You get what you go for.
9. If you need to correct someone- do it with love. Make sure your motivation behind all things is love or it will be ill received.
10. Love is a noun and verb. One must show their love in order for it to be real.
11. The more rejection you face, the less it hurts. Especially when you understand your purpose or primary motivation and stay rooted on God.
12. The people in your life are not there by coincidence, Heavenly Father intends for you to learn and experience together. Then beautiful memories are created, and the puzzle of our personal existence comes into view.
13. There are little things, made by our creator, that surround us which make us happy. Some of mine include crocheting, the ocean, music, laughing, bengal spice herbal tea, chocolate, great books. These little things make me happy and remind me of how much Heavenly Father loves me.
14. To create things is divine, but we must always give credit to our creator.
15. If stressed, laugh and find a state of gratitude.
16. Praying all the time will do three things, 1)Chase away negative and bad thoughts, 2)Give us confidence, 3)Deepen our relationship with Heavenly Father.
God uses the same simple means to speak to us: through the Holy Spirit, through prayer and the scriptures, through prophets, sometimes through angels or loved ones. Yet He manages to speak to us in our individual language or way that we learn best. Lately I've been pondering the way in which we all learn and communicate. I find comfort in the scripture 2 Nephi 31:3, "For my soul delighteth in plainess; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." God uses the same means to speak to us, yet He manages to give us all an indivual message. How remarkable our Father in Heaven is.
What blocks that communication between God and us?
It is hard to feel the absence of God especially when you feel you need him most. Many things block that communication. I enjoy Henry B. Erying's thoughts on the matter. Henry B. Erying states, "Our own desires, rather than a feeling of 'Thy will be done,' create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God. God is not unable to see us or communicate with us, but we may be unwilling to listen or submit to His will and His time...The pavilion that seems to be hiding you from God may be fear of man rather than this desire to serve others. The Savior’s only motivation was to help people. Spencer W. Kimball told us that 'God reveals himself to [people] who are prepared for such manifestations.'"
If you want more guidance on how to feel God in your life I would refer you to this article entitled, "Personal Revelation". I know Heavenly Father really does love every person on this earth. He knows our needs and concerns. He will answer our prayers if we ask in faith, and He will answer in our indiviual language. Trust in God, for He loves you and has a plan for you.
Martin Luther King once said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Who we truly are is determined by where we stand when storms hit. Standing up for personal beliefs can be hard, and standing up alone can be terrifying. However I've learned that when you stand alone for the cause of Jesus Christ you are never alone.
Could you imagine waking up one day and walking outside of your tent and seeing an army of your enemies waiting to fight you? Elijah and Elisha experienced this.
2 Kings 6:
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
I know that it's after our trial of faith that we receive miracles and see the angels and chariots round about us. Dare to be bold. Dare to stand alone. Pray to have your eyes opened. There are many fighting for the cause of Jesus Christ, and you are not alone. Here is one more scripture to illustrate that fact.
6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. 2 Nephi 22:6
I have come to know that not only angels are in the work, but the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ Himself is in this work.
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My dad is one of a kind. A unique, funny fellow, who always gives. He wouldn't kill a fly- literally he catches flies and spiders and frees them in our front yard. Over my 21 years of life I have really learned to appreciate my Dad and all the things he taught me. He taught me by words and example. Some of the things he tried to teach me I was too stubborn to understand- however there are a few precious truths that have really stuck with me. The lessons that my Dad taught me are:
1. It's a choice to be happy.
In my more dramatic years.. I'd complain to my Dad of the frustrations of school, or work, or a conflict in a relationship. I would let these things take a toll on me and my life. My Dad would offer advice, "did you try this...?" or that, or that, and I would reply, to all, "No that won't work". After trying to console me numerous times. He would always say, "Well Megan, you can choose be happy. It's up to you". To which I would roll my eyes and walk away more grumpy than before. I have learned it is true!! My friend Donna Meister says it another way, "Some people walk in the rain, some people just get wet". The scriptures say it another way: Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." My Dad was right! I believe his words- if you want happiness, then choose it.
2. A short pencil is better than a long memory.
I often came to my Dad in his room and he is hunched over writing in his journal. Behind him- a bookcase full of journals. I have picked up my Dad's habits and become an avid writer. He emphasizes writing the precious things down so that we will have always have them and be ready to find more.
3. Happy wife = happy life.
He has never stopped loving my mom, and seeking to make her happy.
4. Serving others brings true happiness.
My friends have often come over and been given unending amounts of food by- you guessed it- my Dad. He gives and gives. I've heard some say, "Why is your Dad so happy?"
He always told me to serve others, but I'll never forget when he showed it. After a crazy, fun, famished day in Salt Lake, we stopped at McDonalds. At the drive-through I ordered my usual- the spicy McChicken. yum. We got our food and started to pull out of the parking lot. We stopped by the cross walk before the main road and as I pulled the food from the bag, I was caught by surprise to see my dad was putting his sandwich back into the bag and handing his bag of food out the window. I leaned forward and a looked outside, a homeless man, clothes torn and rugged, hunched over and pushing his shopping cart full his belongings. The man quickly grabbed it with a big smile on his face and said thank you. My dad waved and drove away. I will never forget how quick my Dad was to give to others in need, and I've never known a happier person.
5. The pearl of greatest price is eternal families.
He always said this. I finally looked into it a little more. Jesus Gave a parable in Matthew 13: 45 ¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold ball that he had, and bought it.
He always emphasized families, and the importance of doing fun activities together, and learning to get along. Families are the most important thing we have, the most precious gift, the most precious relationships, and we should seek that precious pearl and sell all we have to attain it. I now know that its only because Heavenly Father gave us his son Jesus Christ that we can have families that will last after death, and forever. Ultimately I am grateful to my Dad and Mom for teaching me about my Heavenly Father. They have instituted a desire to learn of God in all my siblings, and I have had a priceless spiritual journey getting to know Father in Heaven and his Son Jesus Christ.
This video captures a fathers love for his family. Although my family dynamic is much different- I can easily relate to this. I hope you can also. It touches my heart. Happy Fathers Day!
“At the last moment, He could have turned back. But He did not. He passed beneath all things that He might save all things. In doing so, He gave us life beyond this mortal existence. He reclaimed us from the Fall of Adam."Once we understand the fall of Adam, we will then understand the need for a Savior. (President Thomas S. Monson)
Although we will never understand what Jesus Christ had to go through, I will forever be grateful that he filled that need, and is our mediator with the Father. It isn't until we've lost someone that we can really appreciate Jesus sacrifice to know that will we see them again. "In certain situations, as in great suffering and illness, death comes as an angel of mercy. But for the most part, we think of it as the enemy of human happiness."
“My beloved brothers and sisters, in our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.'" (Thomas S. Monson). It isn't until we have felt the darkness of the world that we can appreciate the rejuvenating light that comes from the Savior.
I'm forever grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that the greatest act of love was for us, because we all need Him to live again and return to our Father in Heaven. He is risen.
"We can be like a mirror and direct light even into dark places. We are not the sources of light; nevertheless, through us light can be reflected to others." Ted E. Brewerton
