God's Sweetest 'I Love You's'

Awhile back I was saddened and hurt by someone and their interactions with one of my children. I ultimately forgave this person, tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but felt it best to keep a safe distance from them. 

Last week I felt an internal nudging, after learning of some trials they were facing, to reach out and convey my care and concern for this person and their family. So, putting our past differences aside, I set to work on mailing them a care package. As I was headed to the post office I wondered, “Is this weird? I haven’t spoken to this person in a long while.” 

But then this quote popped into my head almost as quickly as I finished the previous thought. “Never suppress a generous thought.” We don’t know in life if people will receive us. But we will never look back and regret extending a kindness or an olive branch. I felt so grateful as I put that little package together to know that true forgiveness had taken place in my heart. It wasn’t an empty sentiment I convinced myself of after the offense, but a truth I could feel. Previous hurt was replaced with sincere concern. And it felt really right. 

I thought about my Savior and His commandments... like forgiving those we feel wronged by. Sometimes those commandments feel so hard. But as we set aside our own agendas, and just do what He asks, we are rewarded with not only the sweetest peace for our own hearts; but oftentimes the ability to see the other person’s heart the way He does. And oh, how that changes everything. 

Seeing others through His eyes makes all the difference. It doesn’t mean we put ourselves in situations were we are misused or taken advantage of. But it means hurt is replaced with compassion. It’s this compassion that frees us to see the other person through His lens, and feel the peace that comes from knowing He extends that same grace to us in our own flaws and shortcomings. 

It’s this yielding of hurt for compassion that enables us to feel His love in such an unfiltered way. I was reminded yet again that His commandments, especially the hard ones, are also his sweetest I love you’s.

Listen To A Prophet's Voice

I was so very grateful for the opportunity I had to watch General Conference this past weekend. To be able to invite the Spirit into my home, to feel God's love and awareness for me and my family, and to be taught. My overarching impression was the gratitude I felt to have a living prophet, leading and guiding Christ's church in these latter-days. I felt specific gratitude to President Nelson for being that prophet.

                                                   President Russell M. Nelson

I find myself grateful for the steady stream of continued revelation given to him. Grateful for his willingness to address the things that seem so applicable to the happenings within the walls of my own home. Thankful for his steady example of loving others, seeking diligently, and showing a willingness to do the Lord's will. I have felt my love for this true disciple of Christ increase so much as he has taken upon himself the mantle of prophet, priesthood key holder, and mouthpiece for the Lord.

Image from Mormon Newsroom

President Nelson instructed women of the Church on their ability to have direct access to God's power through the power of the priesthood. He showed us what our heartfelt efforts to lift and help our brothers and sisters across the globe through humanitarian work has done. He provided clarity on the call to love our neighbors, whether or not we share the commonality of race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, belief, or other labels the world would use to separate us. He offered additional insight and inspiration on the continuing adjustments to the functions of the Lord's Church. With each address it felt like he was speaking to me personally. I love that at the heart of all his messages and each of his efforts, is the sincere desire to bring us closer to our Savior. To help cement in our hearts that this is Jesus Christ's church, and He is at the center of it.

We live in a crazy world. A world that can be scary to live and raise a family in. However, I love that the prophetic blessing and promise given, is that if we will live Christ's Gospel, follow Him, and let Him change our hearts, peace and joy will be the fruits of our heartfelt efforts. I know that as I have put this promise to the test in my own life I have received an edifying peace that could only come from heaven's help. I truly am so grateful to have the opportunity to listen to a prophet's voice and know that as I follow his counsel, I will be led closer to my Savior.