I have been thinking a lot about LIFE today. I have realized in the course of all this thinking and pondering that it’s not about me and what I want, but the truest happiness and deepest joy comes from living our lives as the Lord would like us too. Each of us has a divine role, a purpose in life that only we can fill. We truly are blessed to have the knowledge that we can choose to follow and submit our will to God, our Heavenly Father who has the godly power to see all things, or to go our own way without His help. Do we TRUST Him enough to let Him guide us? Do we TRUST Him enough to submit our will to Him?
He has given us the opportunity to choose what we will do, He loves us so much that He won’t take that agency of choice away, but what should we choose? Do we choose to do those things that will give us lasting happiness or those that give us a moment of satisfaction?
In today’s society we are so focused on the individual that we forget what life, our life, is truly about. We have been blessed with bodies given to us by our Father in Heaven. What are we doing to them? Do we hold them sacred? Do we respect those around us that choose to keep them sacred and sanctified? Will we treat others with respect, or knock them down to build ourselves up?
Personally I have found that when we are kind to those around us, we actually become stronger more capable people. Love grows inside us that is genuine, unselfish, and true. We become the type of people that care, that are true disciples of Jesus Christ, people that are respectful, honest, caring, people that understand what Life really is about. There is a saying that goes “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”. How true this is, we cannot know when someone is hurting inside, how they truly feel, but if we go about doing good – lifting up one another we become the answer to someone’s pleading prayer, we become the friend that made a difference, we become a Hero.
We can never truly know what difference we make in someone’s life, but each of us is needed. We have a reason to live; we have a reason to be here at this time in our lives. Through us God can work the miracles He needs to for His children.
There is a story, that has touched my heart and I would like to share this with you.
“I remember when I was young, there was an older boy who was physically and mentally disabled. He had a speech impediment and walked with difficulty. The boys used to make fun of him. They teased and taunted him until sometimes he would cry.
I can still hear his voice: “You’re not kind to me,” he said. And still they would ridicule him, push him, and make jokes about him.
One day I could bear it no longer. Although I was only seven years old, the Lord gave me the courage to stand up to my friends.
“Don’t touch him,” I said to them. “Stop teasing him. Be kind. He is a child of God!”
My friends stepped back and turned away.
I wondered at the time if my boldness would jeopardize my relationship with them. But the opposite happened. From that day onward, my friends and I became closer. They showed increased compassion for the boy. They became better human beings. To my knowledge, they never taunted him again.
Brothers and sisters, if only we had more compassion for those who are different from us, it would lighten many of the problems and sorrows in the world today.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Concern for the One,” Liahona, May 2008, 17–20
I love this story! What an amazing blessing this boy was granted. To have just one person stick up for him. I know that in my life I have been blessed with friends that have helped me in many ways, ways that seem so small to the outside world but were HUGE and life changing for me. What would happen if we all took the counsel given at the end of this story “have more compassion for those who are different from us?” it will lighten many of the problems and sorrows of today’s world. We can make a difference one by one.
I want you to think about the following questions…
At what times in my life have I truly felt peace?
What were my happiest moments?
What is my life all about?
What can I do today to be a little kinder to someone?
If there is anything in this life that I have discovered… it’s this – We are all in this together! We have the power to make a difference in someone else’s life. There is a reason for everything, every situation, every opportunity, short coming, everything.
We have the power to make this world a better place. If we work together, with God as our leader, all things are made possible… when we go about doing good, we can do no wrong. Even in a world of hurt, pain, anger, and evil we can feel peace, love, comfort, and hope as we strive to lift each other, choose the good things in life and do our best to live the standards our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has taught “Love one another, as I love you”.
There is a saying that I learned when I was a little girl that says, “Kindness begins with me”. I hope it will begin with each of us today. I hope we can each use our God given agency to do good, to bless the lives of those around us. I hope we can see who we really are, why we are here, and make the choice today to do good today. May God be with you!
