His

Sometimes, we get so lost in the world, so caught up in what others want us to become, that we forget about ourselves.
And even more importantly, we forget about Heavenly Father, and what He wants us to become. Or rather, WHO he wants us to become.
Sure, we can be a doctor, or a lawyer, or an electrician. But that doesn't matter to Heavenly Father. What matters to Him is that we are healers, peacemakers, and examples. That we go out of our way to help those who are lost or hurt. Our Father commands us to be merciful and forgiving, not a judge of others. In Doctrine and Covenants section 64, verse 10, it says, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men." We are told to be spiritual electricians. The Lord wants us to shine our own light. "Let your light so shine before men,  that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
We each have our own unique talents, and our own challenges. Our own family, friends, and peers. And it's for a reason. We all belong to a loving Father in Heaven, who knows us by name. "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." 1 Nephi 21:16. Our brother Jesus Christ chose to keep the nail prints in His hands and feet instead of receiving a perfect, unmarked body, for that purpose alone. So that we could be engraved on His hands. Because He loves us.
We are His. "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will stand as witnesses of God, at all times, and in all things, and in all places, as we strive to live the young women values." The Young Women theme that is stated each week reflects the desire we should each have to become closer to Christ.

"I am the daughter of a king who is not moved by the world, for my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His."

I want to be like Christ. He has given me guidelines and qualities to develop. I know that I am His. My favorite scripture says, "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me. And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost." Doctrine and Covenants 50:41. I have no reason to be afraid, because God is watching over all. He has given us to His Only Begotten Son, to watch over us and protect us. We will not be lost. Remember, our Shepherd is one who will leave the ninety and nine to bring the one back to the fold.

Beauty All Around

 

Where some see weeds, others see wishes.

Beauty is all around.

We go through our everyday lives,

And it's hard to see the good in things,

even the good in people.

But there is good in everything.

A dandelion may not be the prettiest plant, but it contains a wish.

Trials that we go through are

depressing,

dark,

stormy.

But after the dark, comes the light.

"Everybody wants happiness,

Nobody wants pain.

But there can't be a rainbow

Without a little rain."

After a trial, we see the progress we've made,

The lessons we've learned,

And the things we appreciate more deeply.

There is good in everything.

If we look for it,

It will be found.

 

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky

Whenever I feel the rain on my face

Or the wind as it rushes by

Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes

 That I might see the color of butterfly wings

He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things

He gave me my life

My mind, my heart

I thank Him reverently
For all His creations of which I'm a part

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

(My Heavenly Father Loves Me, by Clara W. McMaster, Children's Songbook)

Look Not Behind Thee (Genesis 19:17)

In the Rearview

"Oh, yes. The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." -Rafiki (The Lion King)

Everyone has a past. We hear it over and over again. "Nobody's perfect." Then why do we have such a hard time forgiving ourselves, and moving on with our lives? We expect ourselves to be free of any stains, while in reality, we were born with stains. The Lord expects us to mess up. In fact, he wants us to, so that we can learn from our mistakes. He sent us to an imperfect world so that we can become better than it. So we can rise above the rest of the world by pressing forward.

"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

  Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

2 Nephi 31:19-20

We need to "keep moving forward" (Meet the Robinson's) and forgive ourselves for what we've done in our past. We need to remember the story of Lot. When she was commanded not to look back, she turned around to her old home and was turned to a pillar of salt. We probably won't be turned to salt if we revert back to old habits or sins, but we will no longer be progressing.

So "look not behind thee" and forgive and forget what you may have done in the past.