I had a very special visit with my grandmother yesterday. We
share a common faith in the LDS gospel, and have been brought very close
through my conversion. I love that she has much to teach me, and I have ears to
hear.
We drove to Salt Lake and had dinner at Hires. I am a silly
girl, and can live off a compliment for days and days. A hostess at Hires told
me I was very pretty. This sounds like silly girl talk, but her simple words
made me smile for at least ten minutes straight! The fact that a total stranger
would take time and effort to say something kind to me was surprising and
lifted me up.
We roamed around Temple Square, and ran into a very sweet
pair of sister missionaries, Sister McQueen from New Zealand and Sister Jarrett
from Hawaii. I told them I was seventeen, and they told me I looked older. I
said, “If I was older, I would be on a mission too right now!” Then my grandma
told them I was not yet baptized, and my story spilled out. They were simply
delighted from my simple story. It was very spiritual and emotional. Little
moments like that just make a girl feel so happy. I must be careful not to let
myself become lifted up in pride when others say kind things about my
conversion, but rather be grateful for their kind words. They were so happy to
be doing what they were doing, I felt even stronger my need to go on my
mission. They were beautiful, not only because pretty to see, but because the
light of Christ was literally burning in them. I am tearing right now, just
thinking about that light. I feel light inside me, and that is where true
beauty lies. Our beauty is truly seen through the love of Christ. When I am a
missionary, I want to find someone to praise and encourage and tell her she is beautiful.
We can build others so high, and our stories can really spark something in a
person. Christ would have us build each other up, as high as we can. We must not allow fear and possible judgment keeping us from showing kindness to strangers, the Lord’s Sheep. It is easy to build those who have our love guaranteed. We never know what we are capable of giving until we reach out to those who need us.
My grandma brought me genealogy for me to look at, and make
copies of. I become very emotional talking about my ancestors, because they
sacrificed much to bring the faith of Jesus Christ into their families. From my
grandma’s father’s line, we have ancestors who traveled from Denmark in order
to escape persecution from the dominant church in the area. They sacrificed
their security and home to bring the gospel to generations to come. Where would
their children’s children’s children (and so forth), my ancestors be without
their bravery? That is pure, Christ like love right there. They didn’t know us,
but loved the Lord enough to make that sacrifice.
My grandma’s testimony of their sacrifice touches me. I can
see her love for them, and her love for me as she teaches me about their lives.
I have been given special gift. Praise the Lord for my grandma, and for her
understanding that she is giving to me.
Christ made the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary. He felt
individual pain for his brother and sisters. He died, so that we might
come to Him. Might. We might. He was not guaranteed our
repentance in return, only a possibility. He had no thought of himself, just
pure love for us. (Again, I am crying at the very vision of this love and
sacrifice)
I testify that it is through love that we conquer this
fallen state. Love isn’t about princes and damsels in distress. It is about
sacrifice, giving, and gratitude. It is about seeing what the Lord has done for
us, and in return, giving what we can to his Sheep. We do these things in
accordance to the spirit, to keep ourselves also taken care of. But, we may
feel burdened by what the Lord asks us to do. He blesses us in ways we cannot comprehend when we heed to
His will. Literally all he wants to do is give. He gives to those who take what
they have, and give it to those who need it more.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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