So I haven't blogged for.ev.er, but November is giving me a chance to get back into it! Like many other people who blog, in honor of this month of Thanksgiving, I am going to share something I am grateful for each day. These will really be in no particular order, but they are all things that bless my life, and help me recognize and honor Heavenly Father who loves me, and I love him!
Thankful Thoughts, Day 1
I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. And a Heavenly Father who loved us enough to give us the opportunity to be tested, tried, and to grow in ways we could only do on this Earth. He loves us so entirely He also provided a Savior to be our example, to suffer and atone for our sins, and die for us to provide a way for us to make it back.
Jesus Christ is my Redeemer, He is my advocate with the Father (see D&C 32:3). He not only went through indescribable pain to pay for my sins, He also suffered for my pains, sicknesses, and deepest sorrows. The sorrows that even with an amazingly awesome family, can't be understood by anyone but Him (see Isaiah 53:4-5). I know He knows. I have felt Him send the comforting Spirit. I have felt the Spirit whisper of soft encouragement in my struggles and in my weaknesses.
Last week I had an extremely hard few days. Have you ever had something said to you that hurt you and part of the reason it hurt so much was because at least some of it was true? That's what happened last week. Something was said (actually written) to me and it hurt me deeply. After a little discussion, the person in question assured me she wasn't intending to make me feel sad or upset. She just thought I needed to know.
After a good cry, it was clear to me that I can always do better. Be a better person. I fail in so many ways. I am imperfect. Pretty much the most imperfect person I know. This one of the main reasons I need my Savior. Because if I was perfect, I wouldn't need to rely on Him and His atoning sacrifice and His grace and His ability to succor me in my weakness and trials. BUT with Him, not only can I feel a renewed desire to be better, I can also understand that even though sometimes I'm not giving my 150%, I am usually hovering between 80-90%. (yeah, okay, edited now to say probably more like hovering around 40-50%. Maybe I was a bit too generous with my self-evaluation...:) And the advice I feel from Him? Sometimes I need to be more gentle with myself and satisfied with the 40%. My best isn't good enough, but my best (and even my not-so-best) can be good enough WITH Him. Because He makes all the difference.
So so grateful for my Savior.
Jesus Christ is my Redeemer, He is my advocate with the Father (see D&C 32:3). He not only went through indescribable pain to pay for my sins, He also suffered for my pains, sicknesses, and deepest sorrows. The sorrows that even with an amazingly awesome family, can't be understood by anyone but Him (see Isaiah 53:4-5). I know He knows. I have felt Him send the comforting Spirit. I have felt the Spirit whisper of soft encouragement in my struggles and in my weaknesses.
Last week I had an extremely hard few days. Have you ever had something said to you that hurt you and part of the reason it hurt so much was because at least some of it was true? That's what happened last week. Something was said (actually written) to me and it hurt me deeply. After a little discussion, the person in question assured me she wasn't intending to make me feel sad or upset. She just thought I needed to know.
After a good cry, it was clear to me that I can always do better. Be a better person. I fail in so many ways. I am imperfect. Pretty much the most imperfect person I know. This one of the main reasons I need my Savior. Because if I was perfect, I wouldn't need to rely on Him and His atoning sacrifice and His grace and His ability to succor me in my weakness and trials. BUT with Him, not only can I feel a renewed desire to be better, I can also understand that even though sometimes I'm not giving my 150%, I am usually hovering between 80-90%. (yeah, okay, edited now to say probably more like hovering around 40-50%. Maybe I was a bit too generous with my self-evaluation...:) And the advice I feel from Him? Sometimes I need to be more gentle with myself and satisfied with the 40%. My best isn't good enough, but my best (and even my not-so-best) can be good enough WITH Him. Because He makes all the difference.
So so grateful for my Savior.
Comments
And, your thoughts on the Savior made me cry a tear myself. Everything you said is so true. I am certain that my issues over not being able to be more than 60% pain him because with Him I am always good enough. Thanks for the reminder. And...thanks for being the bestestestest sister in the world. I am thankful for you!