Life keeps moving on here at an extremely rapid pace! I
can't really keep the days straight.
A quick update on our investigator: On Tuesday I studied hope in the
morning and rekindled mine. I felt a really calm assurance that she would
text us that day, and I told Hermana Durham so. At 8 o'clock pm, sure enough
she texted, "Hi girls. Miss you." She has continued to text us off
and on. I know that she recognizes truth
and goodness in the church and can't stay away from it. We told her if she ever
feels lonely to pray and read the Book of Mormon, so she will continue to
progress until the next step God puts in her life. We have run into her
twice this week by following other subtle promptings we have received. Both
times have been just enough to have a quick, pleasant conversation, probably
just enough to remind her of the light and goodness and love of God. It is an
amazing feeling to recognize that God is using us as His tools in her life,
even though we have no idea what will happen or what the purpose is of all
these little things.
I love Words of Mormon 1:7
7 And I do this for a awise bpurpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord cknoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he dworketh in me to do according to his ewill.
I love being able to feel that
truly God can put me where He needs me and all I want to do is help Him
accomplish His purposes.
I also love the 2 Nephi 4:16-35. That keeps coming back as
one of my favorite scriptures. I love it because it shows the entire spectrum
of being a human being on this tiny planet. First Nephi feels badly about himself. I
have felt that way. Especially as a missionary. There are always
things I realize I could have done better, spiritual gifts I wish I had,
mistakes I really didn't need to make again, but the rest of the passage is
just balm for the soul. Jesus Christ and God KNOW we are weak and imperfect.
That is the whole point of His condescension and suffering and death! Satan
wants us to droop down our heads and forget all that Jesus Christ came
here for. He wants us to remain in our sins because we have lost the hope
and faith to move forward. We cannot let the Atonement be in vain! If we
hang down our heads and dwell on our own limitations, we will not be able to
become all that His glorious Atonement offers us.
26 "O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord
in his condescension unto the children of men that visited men in so much
mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and
my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? yea, why should I give way to temptations [even temptations to not forgive yourself], that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?....28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin [or despair]. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.... 29 Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions [or guilt because of weaknesses]. 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O lord, i will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation."
I also love D&C 3:10, when Heavenly Father forgives Joseph for losing the 116 pages.
"But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of
that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave
you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work."
We have never gone beyond the reach of the love of our
Father. It is never too late to be close to Him again. We have never missed too
many blessings that it is not worth it to return to Him. And He loves us enough
to want us to labor with Him. As His children, we will always be chosen, it is
just up to us if we have the grit to roll up our sleeves and thrust in the
sickle!
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