words that shine

[journal entries turned blog posts lol.]

words are fickle things. they possess insurmountable power. power to lift. to inspire. power to drag down. to hurt. to impact.

words are the way of human life. we start with garbled phrases. our “first words” are hoped for and then fawned over. throughout life we learn how words should be used. but that doesn’t mean everyone uses their words correctly.

I know for a fact I have said words to hurt someone else. not usually on purpose. sometimes in jest. but the fact is they’ve injured. those instances which I hope are few in number stick. stick in one’s mind forever. apologies may be offered. forgiveness may be given. though that does not mean those moments slip the mind.  

the way words impact us is incredible. the popular playground phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is false. in my opinion words leave deeper wounds. bones heal with time. but hearts and minds are the hardest to convince. hearts and minds are the most difficult to heal.

I have a passion for words. for communication. for journaling. and simply writing. words are beautiful. but it’s all about how we use them.

I strive to watch my words. I strive to never purposely hurt another with my words. because when I look to my Savior -- when I look to his words. I find the perfect example. He used love. and justice. His words healed. His words were submissive and humble. His words taught, and continue to teach. He is the Word. His words are words of hope and peace. His words, and even deeper his actions bring everlasting life. His Atonement is priceless. He suffered the ultimate Sacrifice. He bled from every pore. And in His hardest moments His words were few.

“ in John 17, Jesus offered an intercessory prayer. “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do … before the world was.” (John 17:4–5.)He then went on to say in verse 24, “For thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24.)”

Matthew 26

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

D&C 19

18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

His words were pleas unto the Father which teaches us the ultimate lesson. Our Father hears our every word. Our Father seeks our love through the words within our hearts.

and his words in his final moments. 

Luke 22

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 

[he endured. TO THE END! for Me. for mercy. for justice. for love.]

His words are the crowning words of humility. of submission. of pure love. of devotion to his Father. to Our Father.

Christ’s words are the perfect model as to how my words should be. Christ is the perfect example.

Parallels and Identities

The other day I sat and drove with my mother. We talked about anything and everything. Sometimes I bring up my little self, and she always talks of my personality at that age.

She then brought up some thoughts from when us girls were little. She shared with me her feelings towards getting shots as children.

She said the doctor would have her set us up on her lap, and the nurses would administer the shots. We would look up at her. We would cry and scream. She couldn’t help putting the words into our mouths, “Mommy, why would you do this to me? Why would you let them hurt me like this?”

She said as we got shots, as we had those feelings, she sat with us and cried. She wept with us.

Oh what a wonderful parallel can be drawn here. Because those shots were to protect us. Those shots were there to ensure our growth. To better us.

So now I imagine my Savior. I am in His arms. And I am struggling. I seem to be failing miserably. The pain. The heartache. I feel it all. But I don’t realize I’m in His arms. He is holding me tight. Protecting me. And as I question Him, as I question my Father in Heaven, “Why? Why would you do this to me? Why are you letting me struggle? Why are you giving me these trials.”

I don’t always see his tears. Jesus wept. Jesus is weeping. With us. As we have feelings of discontent, pain, and sorrow He is there at our side. And though we may not be aware- He is cradling us in his arms. 

I can imagine Him saying, “Don’t you see my child, don’t you know I understand the pain that you are going through? Endure it. I will not leave your side, dear one. Don’t you know that this pain will strengthen your faith? Don’t you know that these trials are necessary for your growth? Don’t you know that because of the things in which you endure you will be able to make it Home safely back to me?”

This is truth. He weeps with us.  He smiles with us. He understands us better than any being upon the face of this earth. He longs for us to realize- fully realize that our lives are in His Hands. That our Father in Heaven has a perfect plan for us. He longs for us to comprehend that all things work together for our good.

It’s an interesting thing. We are to be humble. We are to be as little children. Little children look to their parents with utmost faith. Little children trust and love their parents with all their hearts. And in return their parents love them. [mosiah 3:19]

My Heavenly Parents love me.

I am their daughter, I am a daughter of a King. I have great worth.

That’s the thing- Father wants us to realize our Individual Worth. Our Divine Nature. But in that we must not become prideful. 

None of us can escape that identity given to us by God in Heaven above. We are beloved. We are His. We must realize this & appreciate this, and with that we can become oh so glorious. Oh so happy.

// sunday thoughts

lovely lovely words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf from an address titled [The Reflection in the Water]

"Too many go about their lives thinking they are of little worth when, in reality, they are elegant and eternal creatures of infinite value with potential beyond imagination...."

"Because He is merciful and loves His children, God has given again in these latter-days the truth about where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going."

"My dear young friends, this knowledge allows you to see your own reflection in the water. It assures you that you are not ordinary, rejected, or ugly. You are something divine — more beautiful and glorious than you can possibly imagine. This knowledge changes everything. It changes your present. It can change your future. And it can change the world."

"There will always be voices telling you that you are foolish to believe that you are swans, insisting you are but ugly ducklings and that you can't expect to become anything else.

But you know better. Because of the revealed word of a merciful God, you have seen your true reflection in the water and you have felt the eternal glory of that divine spirit within you. You are no ordinary beings, my beloved young friends all around the world. You are glorious and eternal."

Words

Happy. Happy. Happy.

You Lovely Lovely Thing.

SHINE for Him.

Breathe Kindness.

Remember Who You Are.

Stand in Holy Places.

Choose the Right.

Think Lovely Thoughts.

Prayer Heals.

Doubt Not. Fear Not.

Be Faithful.

Laugh.

Love One Another.