God Is in the Details of Our Lives

Wasn't General Conference wonderful? I really enjoyed it. I especially love this quote from President Monson.

"God is in the details of our lives."

I have found this to be so true. Our loving Father in Heaven truly does care about the big things and the small things in our lives.

This summer I went on a trip to Utah with my Mom. One night, we decided to explore the new mall built close to Temple Square. As we browsed through Macy's, I found a dress that I wanted to try on. It was kind of just randomly placed in the store--there weren't any other dresses like it I could find. Because it wasn't where it was supposed to be, I didn't know if it was on sale or not. I decided to try it on anyway and it fit really nicely. However, when the cashier checked the price for us, it was nearly $100 dollars. Don't get me wrong, it was cute, but that price was a little bit out our budget. I hung it back up and decided I'd check my local Macy's Outlet store later on in the season to see if one turned up on clearance.

When I was returned home later in the week, I found myself running to the mall to pick up a blouse for a family portrait. I ended up looking in the Macy's Outlet store. I felt strangely prompted to look at the dresses. It was weird, since I was there for a blouse, but I went anyway. As I glanced through the racks, to my surprise  the exact same cut and color of dress I had tried on in Salt Lake practically fell into my hands. I checked the size, and it was perfect. I was stunned. I hadn't expected it to be in the clearance center so soon, let alone to find the exact same color and size! I looked at the price tag and it was 75 percent off the price it had been in Utah. I know that God was looking out for me. He knew that finding that dress would mean a lot to me. Amidst the billions of things He had to do that day, he took a moment to let me know that I was special to Him.

I know this is sort of an odd example and some of you might think this was just a random coincidence. However, I know that this was a tender mercy of the Lord. He truly is "in the details of our lives." He loves us and He knows our hearts. When we make the effort to build a relationship with Him, God will bless us in ways innumerable.

Sincerely,
Sal

Discouragement

Discouragement. That is a big, ugly word with a capital “D.”  All of us from time to time have felt it. That dark, deep-down feeling that we are nothing, have no worth, and will never amount to anything. It’s that feeling of despair and hopelessness that nothing will ever work out.

If I were talking face to face with you right now, I would look you directly in the eye, grab your shoulders and shake you (Okay, so I might be more gentle than that, but you get the idea J), and firmly tell you that those feelings are not true. But, don’t just take it from me. Here’s what President Uchtdorf says:

Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten—especially by God.

Have you ever felt that way before? I certainly have. Sometimes it seems that we are of no value because we’re not famous, not rich, don’t feel like we’ve done anything worthwhile, and this list goes on. Especially for those who are women, sometimes it seems like the day-to-day tasks that we accomplish are so minute and that they will never make a difference. But, once again, these discouraging thoughts are wrong. President Uchtdorf continues:

The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances. He will use—in His own way and for His holy purposes—those who incline their hearts to Him.

God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.

May I emphasize this statement one more time: “God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.”

lds.org

Wow! How cool is that? God knows us, loves us, and sees the good that we do, even though the world tries to tell us that what we accomplish isn’t worthwhile. Our loving Father in Heaven wants us to trust in Him and realize our true worth as His sons and daughters. I hope that we will all take the time to remember who we really are and cast awful feelings of discouragement out the minute they come into our hearts. Remember: those despairing feelings are not true. Through the infinite power of our Father in Heaven and Christ’s atoning sacrifice, there is always hope.

-Sal

Spiritual Thought: Charity is the Pure Love of Christ

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During this Valentine's season, take a moment to think about what Love really is. It is more than paper hearts (though they are nice too!) To me, Love and Charity are the same thing. I hope you enjoy this thought about Charity and have a great next few days.

"Charity is “the pure love of Christ,” or “everlasting love” (Moroni 7:47; 8:17). The prophet Mormon taught: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (Moroni 7:45; see also 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of charity. In His mortal ministry, He always “went about doing good,” teaching the gospel and showing tender compassion for the poor, afflicted, and distressed (see Matthew 4:23; Mark 6:6; Acts 10:38). His crowning expression of charity was His infinite Atonement. He said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). This was the greatest act of long-suffering, kindness, and selflessness that we will ever know.

The Savior wants all people to receive His love and to share it with others. He declared to His disciples: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35). In relationships with family members and others, followers of Christ look to the Savior as their example and strive to love as He loves, with unfailing compassion, patience, and mercy. "

Thought from www.lds.org study topic of "Charity."