The New Year always brings multiple emotions from new beginnings to reminiscing to goal setting. With the turn of the New Year I sat down pondering on the past year. This past year has been full of changes and growth. Learning has come at every turn and thought, where I was to where I am is completely different. I never thought I would be where I am today, or be the person I am this day.
What I've been taught in the last year:
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| Laguna Beach |
1. Taking the Right Path
2. Greater light requires greater darkness
3. Trust in the Lord
4. Take Courage and Follow Promptings
Taking the Right Path
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that there are times when we are prompted to take a certain path.
For me I feel and recognize that prompting and act upon it but then comes the thing that I've struggled with. That path I was prompted to take does not end well. I've wondered why I was taken down that path even though it didn't go well. I've even wonder if that was the right path. Did I recognize that prompting correctly, or was it just me misunderstanding what I felt?
The truth is, that prompting was correct, it was my expectation of that path that has caused me to question the prompting. In my mind, I believe if I receive a prompting all is well or should go well. However, God never told me how that path would turn out, He has only prompted me to take it. Most often that prompting and that path is to teach me something that I could not learn any other way. Just because it's the right path does not mean the path will be smooth and end well. There are paths that are rough, harsh, and even treacherous because they are meant to teach us greater lessons, and help us grow so much more. God leads us down paths that are rough, but also down paths that are smooth-there is a plan and purpose for all paths.
Greater Light Requires Greater Darkness
In a recent book I read the author said in order for us to receive greater light we must be able to comprehend greater darkness. There is an opposite in all things. Newton's Third Law teaches us, as well as the scriptures, that with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In order for me, and even you, to receive greater light I (you) must first comprehend greater darkness. Christ had to descend below all things in order for him to overcome all things. It is when we comprehend great darkness that we are able to comprehend greater light. We cannot know one without the other.
Ether 12:6 states, "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." In other words we do not receive greater light until we are tried, passing through greater darkness. It at times seems hard to pass through unbearable trials, but we must remember to have faith in Christ to the point of knowing greater light awaits us.
Trust in the Lord
This has been a lesson that I've been constantly learning since my mission. Keeping in the theme of promptings, this has been one of the things that I am still working on but have learned it more this past year. The beginning of this year I was living in Wisconsin hoping to get accepted into the Master's program at BYU. At that time I was healing from a head injury which caused me to lose my job and my health insurance. I felt defeated and on the edge of despair. A couple of months later I learned I did not get into the program at BYU and I wondered how in the world this could happen. I had a 67% chance of getting in, how did I not get in? I felt for the past year, as I prayed about moving to Utah, that it was the right direction.
Through the process of BYU, I found another program that I fell in love with, this being in April. Most schools close their application dates by this time but as I looked into the program I found, to my surprise, that I had about two or three weeks before the deadline. I quickly and somehow, miraculously got all the paper work in necessary for the application. I already decided before hand that I wasn't going to go to this school, even if I got in, because my heart and mind was so set on Utah. I lived in Utah before and loved it, and I've felt this constant pull to be there. Eventually, I heard back from the school. I was accepted and would be starting school in August. Housing and finances were an issue but somehow God provided a way. After He softened my heart I journeyed on to my new path. Every step of the way He opened a new door taking care of my every need. I really had to trust in Him. I was blessed with an amazing job, a great ward-that I absolutely love, and so many good people who have surrounded me with their love. It has been a testament to me that this was the right path for me, and I had to really trust the Lord every step of the way.
Take Courage and Follow Promptings
When you have a prompting or subtle thought take up courage and follow that prompting. We may not know if its from the Lord or not until we act upon it. However, there is one thing we can know, every good thing that entices us to do good is, indeed, from God. When you feel impressed to do something good for someone do it, it is from God. I have this tendency to over think things, I ask myself is this me thinking it or is it from God? I even consider all the reasons why I shouldn't do it, like they may not want my help or they may get mad at me for trying to help. But, of course, you never know until you actually act on that prompting.
In following promptings the Lord has lead me to so many amazing opportunities and experiences. I remember having this very subtle thought about applying to the store I was shopping in. My dad even mentioned it on the phone when I talked to him later that day. I decided to look up their current job openings and applied to a couple positions. Needless to say, I was hired on and have loved every minute working for this company. You never know what path you will be lead down. Sometimes the prompting doesn't turn out the way you hoped it would but God always leads us to great things, nothing is wasted or useless. There is a purpose for everything He prompts us to do, sometimes He asks us to do things to see how much He can trust us to reach out and help His children.
Life is a learning process. We are learning every minute. God is always guiding us and is in the details of our life. He wants us to succeed and have joy in this life. He is there for us, He does listen to us, He loves us, and He is always blessing us even if we do not see those blessings or even believe in Him. I am grateful for His love in my life and the lessons I've learned over the past year and the place I've ended up at. God is good!
Taking the Right Path
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that there are times when we are prompted to take a certain path.
For me I feel and recognize that prompting and act upon it but then comes the thing that I've struggled with. That path I was prompted to take does not end well. I've wondered why I was taken down that path even though it didn't go well. I've even wonder if that was the right path. Did I recognize that prompting correctly, or was it just me misunderstanding what I felt?
The truth is, that prompting was correct, it was my expectation of that path that has caused me to question the prompting. In my mind, I believe if I receive a prompting all is well or should go well. However, God never told me how that path would turn out, He has only prompted me to take it. Most often that prompting and that path is to teach me something that I could not learn any other way. Just because it's the right path does not mean the path will be smooth and end well. There are paths that are rough, harsh, and even treacherous because they are meant to teach us greater lessons, and help us grow so much more. God leads us down paths that are rough, but also down paths that are smooth-there is a plan and purpose for all paths.
Greater Light Requires Greater Darkness
In a recent book I read the author said in order for us to receive greater light we must be able to comprehend greater darkness. There is an opposite in all things. Newton's Third Law teaches us, as well as the scriptures, that with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In order for me, and even you, to receive greater light I (you) must first comprehend greater darkness. Christ had to descend below all things in order for him to overcome all things. It is when we comprehend great darkness that we are able to comprehend greater light. We cannot know one without the other.
Ether 12:6 states, "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." In other words we do not receive greater light until we are tried, passing through greater darkness. It at times seems hard to pass through unbearable trials, but we must remember to have faith in Christ to the point of knowing greater light awaits us.
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| Black Beach-Thanksgiving Day |
This has been a lesson that I've been constantly learning since my mission. Keeping in the theme of promptings, this has been one of the things that I am still working on but have learned it more this past year. The beginning of this year I was living in Wisconsin hoping to get accepted into the Master's program at BYU. At that time I was healing from a head injury which caused me to lose my job and my health insurance. I felt defeated and on the edge of despair. A couple of months later I learned I did not get into the program at BYU and I wondered how in the world this could happen. I had a 67% chance of getting in, how did I not get in? I felt for the past year, as I prayed about moving to Utah, that it was the right direction.
Through the process of BYU, I found another program that I fell in love with, this being in April. Most schools close their application dates by this time but as I looked into the program I found, to my surprise, that I had about two or three weeks before the deadline. I quickly and somehow, miraculously got all the paper work in necessary for the application. I already decided before hand that I wasn't going to go to this school, even if I got in, because my heart and mind was so set on Utah. I lived in Utah before and loved it, and I've felt this constant pull to be there. Eventually, I heard back from the school. I was accepted and would be starting school in August. Housing and finances were an issue but somehow God provided a way. After He softened my heart I journeyed on to my new path. Every step of the way He opened a new door taking care of my every need. I really had to trust in Him. I was blessed with an amazing job, a great ward-that I absolutely love, and so many good people who have surrounded me with their love. It has been a testament to me that this was the right path for me, and I had to really trust the Lord every step of the way.
 |
| Mount Soledad-Veteran's Memorial |
When you have a prompting or subtle thought take up courage and follow that prompting. We may not know if its from the Lord or not until we act upon it. However, there is one thing we can know, every good thing that entices us to do good is, indeed, from God. When you feel impressed to do something good for someone do it, it is from God. I have this tendency to over think things, I ask myself is this me thinking it or is it from God? I even consider all the reasons why I shouldn't do it, like they may not want my help or they may get mad at me for trying to help. But, of course, you never know until you actually act on that prompting.
In following promptings the Lord has lead me to so many amazing opportunities and experiences. I remember having this very subtle thought about applying to the store I was shopping in. My dad even mentioned it on the phone when I talked to him later that day. I decided to look up their current job openings and applied to a couple positions. Needless to say, I was hired on and have loved every minute working for this company. You never know what path you will be lead down. Sometimes the prompting doesn't turn out the way you hoped it would but God always leads us to great things, nothing is wasted or useless. There is a purpose for everything He prompts us to do, sometimes He asks us to do things to see how much He can trust us to reach out and help His children.
Life is a learning process. We are learning every minute. God is always guiding us and is in the details of our life. He wants us to succeed and have joy in this life. He is there for us, He does listen to us, He loves us, and He is always blessing us even if we do not see those blessings or even believe in Him. I am grateful for His love in my life and the lessons I've learned over the past year and the place I've ended up at. God is good!
