We Have Grown

"...this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God..."

This is my purpose, and at times it scares me a little.  I know I have grown, but I feel like I have so much growth to go.  For me at least sometimes life just seems to much or just can't quite hack it.  I feel like my change is not enough.  I feel far from where I should be, and no where near being able to be in the presence of God.  Then I take a second and think....Does God want me back?

Then the spirit smacks me in the head, or softly touches my heart and reassures me, of course He does.  Life is the time for growth, to often we all are too hard on ourselves, I think.  Growth takes time and patience, it is so easy for us to see the change in others, but as we look inward the change is rather hard to see. 

As I move forward I make it a goal to recognize the change in myself, not in a prideful manner or anything, but to see where I was and how far I have come.  " I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things..."  Growth is not easy, and forces me to step out of my comfort zone and stretch, but I know with the help of God a servant as weak as me, can be a valuable tool.

I have noticed one down fall to this chance to grow.  I expect others to have to change and grow as I am.  Looks like pride creepin' in.  My life is mine, and the changes I go through are lessons I need to learn.  Sometimes I think we think how unfair...why me...they should have to do this...

I know I have at least thought this at times.  God gives us the chance to change and grow not just for ourselves, but so we can be a more useful tool in His hands to help others.

On Sunday this topic came up.  (Us growing and then expecting others to do the same)  We read from a talk called " You Are My Hands "  the talk in a nutshell is, we are Christ hands.  He works by way of using us to help others.  We talked about how we need to help all, no matter if they are on the same page as us or not.  That is not our place to judge.  The growth rate of another is not up to us to measure!

The Gospel allows us all to grow.  Our part in that growth is to stay humble and help others on their way.  Recognize where we, ourselves have grow, stay humble, and continue on with a heart filled with joy, knowing that this growing period is, because God loves us!  We have Grown!



The Worth of Every SOUL is Great.....even ME!!!

I was asked a simple question the other day, and couldn't find the answer.  I tried to shrug it off, and cover up my embarrassment with a slight laugh, and a quick change of topic.  The outside conversation may have changed, but my inward conversation continues to roll the idea of what an idiot i am, or how could i not know such a simple answer.  As my mind begins to roll, destroying thoughts of self worth overtake my mind.  Questions of why me,  who even cares, or even what am I even good for?

The enemy of our souls' has found a new battle ground, our MIND, with emphasis on self-worth.  If the adversary can enter our minds, and take control on not only our outward look on life, but also our own inward self refection, he has won.  Destroying our own ideal of our self worth, which would cause us to lose sight of our true value, a son or daughter of God.

I read a talk Am I of Worth? by Emily Thevenin, who tells her story of her personal fight for self-worth.  We can find strength in Emily's words as we have to face our own inward battle.  Emily just like I, confess at times we do the most damage to ourselves just from our negative thought process towards our self. 
Emily gives great advice for us all, that our self worth is not determined by our accomplishments in life, but we all share the common value as children of God.

We can also turn to the scriptures for advice to defend or fight back this mind twisting enemy.  I find comfort in D&C 18:10 which gives us all a confidence booster in knowing that God sees not only worth, but great worth in a soul.  Keepin' that thought in the back of our minds can help us continue on in the combat of self-worth.

I personally know how it feels to be in a state of depression, and have family members and very close love ones who have to fight this personal battle each day, but I am confident it is a battle that can be won.  We just have to continually remind ourselves that we are sons and daughters of God.  That our soul has value of great worth. 

I know as we strengthen our relationship with God, we will see how great we are each worth!  I am grateful to have that opportunity to pray to Him each day, to get a reminder of my personal worth.  I know also as we are willing to case our shortcomings upon our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can be lifted from our own self destruction and become something great.

And on a last note, when we get down do like I tell my little sister, make sure to take the time to laugh (even if it is just laughing at our own simple mistakes).  God loves us, and through Jesus Christ we can change!