Hello! This week I have enjoyed having my little brother, Adam here. Although we have both had our own schedules and responsibilities, it has been nice to have his company and spend some time together.
I wanted to use this weeks post to share some thoughts I had a few weeks ago. I was at my internship and had a gap of time between clients, so I decided to walk around the nearby mall (since it was the middle of the day and too hot to walk outside). Schools had recently ended for the school year, and so the mall was full. I was intrigued as I walked by so many different people. As I looked into the eyes of many of these people, I could not help but to see a sense of emptiness and sadness. Maybe it is just my perspective since beginning my career as a counselor, but I have realized how deeply wounded many people are, and how we don't always realize how hard life can be for those around us. It has made me more aware, that there is so much to people's lives that we don't see and don't fully understand. My guess, is many of these people I saw probably turn to unfulfilling sources for healing.
As I was thinking on these things the scripture verses John 3: 16-17 came into my mind "16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." These people that I was passing by, were my brothers and sisters, children of God. The Savior has suffered for their sins and provided a way for each of them to reach their fullest potential, and to receive eternal life, if they would come unto Him. What a hopeful truth!
These two quotes from General Conference had come to mind as I continued to ponder on this experience:
First from Elder Kearon's talk "God's Intent Is to Bring You Home":
"My friends, my fellow disciples on the road of mortal life, our Father's beautiful plan, even His 'fabulous' plan, is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out. No one has built a roadblock and stationed someone there to turn you around and send you away. In fact, it is the exact opposite. God is in relentless pursuit of you. He 'wants all of His children to choose to return to Him,' and He employs every possible measure to bring you back."
And another from Elder Renlund's "The Powerful, Virtuous Cycle of the Doctrine of Christ". This was after he shared a story of his experience kayaking in Hawaii with many failed attempts before he was successful with the help of his guide.
"Consider how the expedition guide helped me after I flipped over in the kayak. He did not shout from afar an unhelpful question such as, 'Mr. Renlund, what are you doing in the water?' He did not paddle up and chide me, saying, 'Mr. Renlund, you would not be in this situation if you were more physically fit.' He did not start towing my kayak while I was just trying to get on top of it. And he did not correct me in front of the group. Instead, he gave me the help I needed at the time I needed it. He gave me advice when I was receptive. And he went out of his way to encourage me."
We are loved by our Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we come unto Christ with honest hearts we can expect Him to kindly encourage, to perfectly understand, to wisely counsel, to lovingly chasten, and to completely heal. Why? Because He is our Redeemer. He knows who we are and who we can become. With His perfect love and matchless power, we can all overcome this world. And He invites us to join Him in His work. We can love, share and invite as He would, bringing others unto Him and to partake of all that He offers.
More from the week:
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