I have come to the conclusion that we will probably never comprehend how much our Heavenly Father loves us. As I study the scriptures and learn more of the atonement, I realize more and more of the great love God has for us. “For God so loved the world, (us) that He sent His only begotten Son. Romans 8:16,17,32,38,39. Do you feel the reality of what it means to be a literal spirit daughter of heavenly parents who love you? Do you know who you truly are?
Our Heavenly Father feels it so important that we learn and know this truth, that the Nursery Manuel at 18 mths begins with “I am a child of God” these young children are taught this in all their primary years. YM and YW are taught it through all their years. YW repeat each week in the YW Theme, “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love Him. The Proclamation to the world states, “All Human beings male and female are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.” The RS theme begins, We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. Do you think our Father has a message for us? He doesn’t want us to forget that we are His children.
As Latter-day Saint women we have more than the average demands in life. We generally have more children, more responsibilities, more directions to be pulled. We serve, show compassion, are self reliant and thrifty, we strive for perfection and we belong to the greatest organization for women on earth who’s motto is.. “Charity Never Faileth” Yet many times we fail to love and have charity for ourselves. So why are so hard on ourselves? -- When things don’t go as planned in life, we become discouraged and Satan sits waiting to jump in with his #1 strategy to destroy women. We begin to compare ourselves to other women, feeling inferior, sinking in to despair and discouragement and darkness sets in. When we choose to participate, Satan begins to win for he knows if he can destroy the woman, he destroys the family, He hates families because he doesn’t have one and never will! Satan uses the forces of evil to convince us that we are beyond help or forgiveness, he sends messages of doubt, despair, and fear. He desires misery for us.
-When we truly know and believe we are God’s daughters, we will have the power to resist Satan. As I have pondered this topic the thought came---- To what sources of light are we as women turning to for self approval???? We will never find self worth when we turn to the world‘s lights for approval and happiness. We will find peace and everlasting happiness when we turn to the Savior’s Light for approval.
Satan is the Destroyer. The lights he uses are beautiful and alluring, un-true and temporary, eventually leading to darkness, despair, and destruction. Jesus Christ is the Savior. His light gives truth, illuminating love, peace and everlasting happiness. Jesus Christ is the source of all light. He is the Master of all light. He is the Light of the World and because loves us he has given his light, the light of truth that gives direction to everyone. It is the means by which the Lord invites and entices all men and women to improve. His light is everlasting. DC 88:7-13,67,68 DC 50:24. Do you see how generous the Father is? He gives us the Light of Christ that guides us to more light. Do you think he desires you to be lifted, enlightened and loved? To have all that he has? Do you know he loves you? My sisters, I hope you can feel His great love for you. God is our Father and desires us to return to Him and have all that He has.
“Like a gentle smile embraces empty souls in lonely places, We should be more gentle with ourselves. We’ve been hurt by others often, we’ve forgiven and forgotten, We should be as gentle with ourselves. Life can be hard but we need not be so hard on ourselves, if we will see like the Shepherd leads his flock with gentle commands, with his gentle voice that only hearts understand. One thing we can know for certain, He has borne the awful burdens so we can be more gentle on ourselves. One thing that I know for certain: He will bear my every burden, so I can be gentle with myself.” Michael McLean
