He Always Knows What I Need

[from my online journal today]:

Self worth is one of the hardest trials I believe any woman deals with. Why? Because we are so precious to our Father, and vital to His work, thus the adversary chooses that as one of the best ways to destroy us. Convince a woman she isn't of worth, and you've not only drastically affected the lives she touches, but also dealt a terrible wound on generations to come. It sounds exaggerated. It's not.

It is good to know that I'm not the only one who has my days where I struggle with feeling good about me, and what I do, and how I try. A woman may try harder than anyone, but will also beat herself more when not reaching the often unreachable goals she sets for herself. If that doesn't apply to every woman, I know it applies to me. In the last 3 or 4 weeks, I have moved leaps and bounds past my intense personal struggles of feeling of worth. For that I owe immense gratitude toward my Savior, and to Molly Gibson. :-)

Isn't it absolutely amazing how wonderful our Savior is? How He really does know what is happening to/with us, what we struggle with, and best of all how to help us? Yesterday I opened my brand new Ensign. That's always such a sense of excitement. About 75% of the time, I read the First Presidency message first. This changes only if there is an article that leaps off the page saying "Read Me Now!" Yesterday, I couldn't have felt more strongly that I needed to read the First Presidency message before anything else, especially as the "Read Me Now!" impression was so strong as I read the title: "The Influence of Righteous Women."

I'm not saying the article was not magnificent, because, of course, it was. But it was going right along where I had expected it to. And it was something I knew all sisters needed. And I was thinking of how wonderful a Father we have to inspire the Church leaders to include this article at this moment. And then I read a passage that--though I know it is to every single Daughter of God--at that moment, it was only for me.

"May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fulness of the gospel (see D&C 45:28). Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to 'succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees' (D&C 81:5).

"My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. He knows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you to succeed in this life and in eternity."

Is not that the most perfect thing I could have heard right now? I, who am a major fan of rising to potential. I who try to reach it, and run faster than I'm able--especially with my own "feeble knees"...spiritually as well as physically. This counsel touched on almost every trial I have been enduring in my life of late--all of my own making, of course. There are problems I create because I go about reaching my potential in the wrong way. I highlighted with color each one for emphasis and as a reminder to me of what to and what not to do. And I know if I am obedient to exactness (Alma 57:21) in this, I will achieve even more happiness through and in the Lord than He has already been blessing me.

This is a quote I need to put every where around me in my life. Memorize it, remember it, and apply it. For I need every word. I believe every one of my Heavenly Sisters needs it, too.

One's View...make that two

I received this forwarded email and thought "Yes!" I was also relieved to know that the evil others have been calling good, I have maintained as evil or wrong. Always good to see others with pieces of light and truth who stand up for what is right.

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY! 'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

If ever I feel...

...that I am flawed, that I am undesirable, that I am undeserving, that I am not of worth, then I need to remember that

I am a Daughter of My Heavenly Father,

Who Loves Me.

If that isn't enough, then I can read President Hinckley's entire talk. I remember crying then, as I cry now.

I know it's true.

I am Heavenly Father's daughter. His little girl. That divine relationship is enough for me to not pay heed to any one who tries to make me feel and think less of myself...including myself.

Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam

A couple of days ago, I was visiting a special needs friend who asked me to record myself singing Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. It reminded me that once at a BYU devotional, the speaker had us sing 3 other verses that we never sang in Primary when I was in it. I don't think they do now either. I had written them down in haste as the congregation sang, and I've had them sitting near my scripture study materials ever since. I promised I'd share them with her. And then I thought I should share them here, too. (You can listen to it here.)

I knew that the words have a great message, one that I need to try to incorporate more in my life. I should read them often and live them more.

1. Jesus wants me for a sunbeam

To shine for Him each day

In every way try to please Him

At home, at school at play

Chorus:

A sunbeam, a sunbeam

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam

A sunbeam, a sunbeam

I'll be a sunbeam for him.

2. Jesus wants me to be loving

And kind to all I see

Showing how pleasant and happy

His little one can be. (Chorus)

3. I will ask Jesus to help me

To keep my heart from sin

Ever reflecting His goodness

And always shine for Him. (Chorus)

4. I'll be a sunbeam for Jesus

I can if I but try.

Serving Him moment by moment

Then live with Him on high. (Chorus)