I think with all the sites online now-a-days we tend to either only post things that make our lives seem great or we only see posts of others that make us think everyone else has perfect lives!
BUT,
I think it's time we all admit that we aren't perfect.
I'm not saying that we just agree with that statement. I'm saying really admit it, remember it, live it and not forget that others aren't perfect either.
At a relief society activity I went to a while back we learned about the church's Addiction Recovery Program. Then we even had a little 'meeting' of our own, set up like it would have been at a real meeting. We were encouraged to share whatever we felt the need to and reminded that no one is perfect and that as others shared their stories, we should pay attention to what we could learn from them, not judge them for mistakes made.
As the sister's shared their stories, you could feel the spirit pouring into the room. The things that others had gone through or were going through were tough. BUT the most amazing thing was that these were sister's I knew and went to church with. These were sister's I looked up to and wished that I were more like!
And yet, here we were, sitting in this circle learning deep dark secrets of trials - tough trials - that others had gone through!
It was so eye opening to hear these things and realize that although we may act like our lives are almost perfect, and that we've always got it together, it made me realize that everyone is going through life the same as me! That even if our everyday challenges aren't the same the overall reality is that we are each being tested to the degree that we can handle.
So if you look at my life and think "Wow, I wish I were living Kayla's life and had her easy trials" What you should remember is that the trials I am given aren't easy for me! And that I might be sitting there thinking "Man, I wish I were living through so-and-so's trials. I could handle those."
Here is a quote by Cheiko N. Okazaki
"He's not waiting for us to be perfect. Perfect people don't need a Savior. He came to save his people their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes. He's not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief."
Sometimes I think we get so caught up in our human feelings, like being angry and frustrated or hurt and sad that we forget we need to love and try to understand.
I think we hear something that we don't agree with or that makes us uncomfortable and instead of praying or listening or trying to understand what our friend, sibling, parent, neighbor or stranger is going through, we put up our walls and say to ourselves "I don't agree so I'm going to ignore instead"
Repentance isn't supposed to be easy. It's not supposed to be comfortable. It's supposed to be difficult. It's supposed to test us and cause us to learn humility. Repentance isn't only to repair mistakes we have made. It is to heal our hearts, heal others hearts and bring us closer to our Savior. It isn't just saying a prayer. It is admitting we are wrong, apologizing and learning. It helps us move forward. It helps us to be happier.
I wish I knew who this quote is by but I just found it in an old institute journal:
"Patience and love go hand in hand. The Savior loved everyone and in return was able to be patient with their lies and hatred. When we have love for others, we understand that they have trials and sufferings the same as we do. This helps us be patient and to try and understand what they need." -Unknown
I am not perfect.
I can be quick to judge.
I've turned my back when others needed me.
But I'm trying really hard in my every day life to stop and honestly ask myself "What would Jesus Do?"
Because if we say that we believe the gospel, then we must believe ALL the gospel. And that includes loving, forgiving, serving, acting, trying, teaching, learning, trials, hardship, joy, peace, consecration, humility, patience, sacrifice, and agency.
So if there is something or some relationship in your life that isn't quite lined up with the gospel, repair it! The Savior will greatly reward us when we actively and humbly strive to be more like Him.
Let us all try to remember that how we react to our worldly trials will effect our celestial glory and not wait another minute to fix our mistakes! Let us remember that even if we don't understand the others situation, we must have love for them and help them through their trial.
Don't let pride, or embarrassment keep us from reaching our celestial goals!
And now, watch For God So Loved the World, because scripture will always say it better than I can!
I am so grateful for a loving Savior and Father in Heaven who continually bless me and my family, even when we don't deserve it. I know that He cares and that He will do anything for me if I just ask.
I know that He is there.
So if you look at my life and think "Wow, I wish I were living Kayla's life and had her easy trials" What you should remember is that the trials I am given aren't easy for me! And that I might be sitting there thinking "Man, I wish I were living through so-and-so's trials. I could handle those."
Here is a quote by Cheiko N. Okazaki
"He's not waiting for us to be perfect. Perfect people don't need a Savior. He came to save his people their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes. He's not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief."
Sometimes I think we get so caught up in our human feelings, like being angry and frustrated or hurt and sad that we forget we need to love and try to understand.
I think we hear something that we don't agree with or that makes us uncomfortable and instead of praying or listening or trying to understand what our friend, sibling, parent, neighbor or stranger is going through, we put up our walls and say to ourselves "I don't agree so I'm going to ignore instead"
Repentance isn't supposed to be easy. It's not supposed to be comfortable. It's supposed to be difficult. It's supposed to test us and cause us to learn humility. Repentance isn't only to repair mistakes we have made. It is to heal our hearts, heal others hearts and bring us closer to our Savior. It isn't just saying a prayer. It is admitting we are wrong, apologizing and learning. It helps us move forward. It helps us to be happier.
I wish I knew who this quote is by but I just found it in an old institute journal:
"Patience and love go hand in hand. The Savior loved everyone and in return was able to be patient with their lies and hatred. When we have love for others, we understand that they have trials and sufferings the same as we do. This helps us be patient and to try and understand what they need." -Unknown
I am not perfect.
I can be quick to judge.
I've turned my back when others needed me.
But I'm trying really hard in my every day life to stop and honestly ask myself "What would Jesus Do?"
Because if we say that we believe the gospel, then we must believe ALL the gospel. And that includes loving, forgiving, serving, acting, trying, teaching, learning, trials, hardship, joy, peace, consecration, humility, patience, sacrifice, and agency.
So if there is something or some relationship in your life that isn't quite lined up with the gospel, repair it! The Savior will greatly reward us when we actively and humbly strive to be more like Him.
Let us all try to remember that how we react to our worldly trials will effect our celestial glory and not wait another minute to fix our mistakes! Let us remember that even if we don't understand the others situation, we must have love for them and help them through their trial.
Don't let pride, or embarrassment keep us from reaching our celestial goals!
And now, watch For God So Loved the World, because scripture will always say it better than I can!
I am so grateful for a loving Savior and Father in Heaven who continually bless me and my family, even when we don't deserve it. I know that He cares and that He will do anything for me if I just ask.
I know that He is there.
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