Coming Unto Christ

WEAKNESS - This is not something I always admit to easily.

I like to be STRONG!

 

I often probably portray myself strong and confident.

While I am strong and confident in many things, and I must say in great thanks to the Lord that I can be strong and confident in aspects of my life and faith, I have many weaknesses of which I am aware. At times I feel like these weaknesses cut me to the core with the thought:

"What if these weaknesses are the very things that are holding me back from progressing in the ways I desire to progress."

 

My weaknesses may incorporate the weaknesses and failings that I perceive, along with the perceptions and judgements of others towards weaknesses or failings that I may or may not be blind to.

 

In those core cutting moments I often find myself in conversation with my Heavenly Father sharing my weakness and my heartache associated with them. I find myself pleading with him for the Grace of his Son to bless my life despite my failings and to help me progress or show me in what ways to progress.

 

 

It is in the moments of my prayers that I find myself drawing strength from the Grace of Christ and confidence in my path forward. Those weaknesses are more often than not still a part of me, but I feel a power strengthening me to move forward and to trust that as I come unto Christ I am progressing in a manner that is pleasing to my Heavenly Father and therefore can be pleasing to me.

 

 

It takes time and practice to change our weaknesses.

Sometimes those things that we perceive as weaknesses may in fact be our greatest blessings that help us to recognize our great need for Christ in our lives and his Grace.

 

I am grateful for the Savior's invitation to 'Come unto Him' for it is through him that I have found my strength and confidence despite my many weaknesses.



Hallelujah! "Praise ye the Lord"

This Easter season I say HALLELUJAH for the promises of eternity. 

Most imprinted on my heart this week is that love is not just a mortal experience, it is an eternal experience. I have been blessed with peace in this truth and a gratitude that we do not miss out on eternal experiences if our mortal life does not bless us with those things. The promise of love and increase in a family will be mine and I say HALLELUJAH!

I say HALLELUJAH for families as part of the plan of salvation and the opportunity I have to serve mine. The joy and happiness that comes from family life as well as the refinement in my weaknesses are a true blessing. 

I say HALLELUJAH for Temples on this earth where I can commune and covenant with God in a sacred and holy place. Where I can learn of him and provide service to others that have passed on. 

I say HALLELUJAH for one day being united and reunited with family members who have passed on, my grandma and grandpa Clements and Madson.

HALLELUJAH!

A Child of God

My brother Benjamin was in pre-k when his teacher came up to him on the first day of school and asked him, "Who are you?" and his response was, "A Child of God." 

Hearing this story after it had happened I remember always being impressed that he at such a young age knew who he was.

Benjamin was born last into our family. From the start I felt a bond with him as his oldest sister. I loved to care for him and play with him. When he was born I nicknamed him baby - because he would be the baby of the family. All my siblings growing up had called me Shell when they were young because that is what they could say. When Benjamin heard me call him baby he added a Y to the end of Shell and from then on I became Shelly. 

Being 14 years older than him it was only a few short years later that I was off to college in a different city, hours away. I left when I was 17, having graduated a year early, so he had only just turned 3. It was important to me that we still had a relationship, despite being away from home. 

I am so glad that I had opportunities to be part of his life and to know him because he is brave, bold, and full of so much character. He has been there for me in times of heartache. Words cannot describe the love that I have for my brother. 

I am grateful for his choice and desire to serve a mission. While some have thought that he is choosing to serve  because it is what all my other siblings have done, the truth is this was what he wanted to do. He sought for his own testimony, he has done much good through service, he has made mistakes, he has repented, he has worked through trials, he has witnessed the love and power of God in his life and as such wants to help others find what he has found to be true.

My brother has grown into an incredible young man. I will miss our phone conversations but I am happy to share him with Brazil so they too can be blessed by his character and strength.

Serve the Lord well Benjamin! It will be a blessing to you forever!

I am aware of my brother's imperfections as only a sibling knows, but this post is about his strengths and how God will be able to use him to bless the lives of those in Brazil that he serves despite weaknesses.