Sometimes if we don't write things down, we forget. And the Lord didn't give us experiences and blessings so that we can forget. It's like taking all the credit for all your blessings; someone once told me that they also take credit for all the bad things so it's okay. False. Did you give birth to yourself? Give credit where credit is due. Thank God for parents who gave you life. Thank God for your physical body you were sent here to gain and protect. Thank God for giving you trials that allow you to grow and strengthen your stride. Thank God for the chance to feel love. Thank God for everything.
Even if you don't feel love, you always have that option. A Savior was part of His plan. Christ was it from the beginning. He was the strongest example. I am grateful for strong examples. The power rests within us because it's a gift. Whether or not you have the light of Christ and the manifestations of the Spirit from time to time, or whether or not you live your life under the covenant of baptism where you have it with you at all times, we are directed. Whether or not we listen and take heed is another story. We end up making choices, and good for us, but that choice is a gift. And the blessings are rewarded accordingly. All is fair in the knowledge of God. He can do what he wishes to will, but he will not recede our choice.
I think it's wise to pray to be aware of the spirit teaching you. I think it can be difficult to master how we can receive revelation, but I know all good things come from God and we will have those moments, mostly small, and some large, where we must adhere to the promptings. Even when you think you're crazy. Even when you have no clue if you did anything significant. I think the world could use a little more people trying to do what is right.
For example.
I saved half of my lunch instead of being a pig the other day. I thought I could save it for later, but I also had the idea of giving it to a person on the sidewalk if the opportunity arose. Thinking back to a time where I admired a friend for doing the same, I've always wanted to make sure I was that person. So after several blocks a woman came up to me and asked if I had any food on me. Without even thinking I smiled, said yes and gave her the bag. I don't believe she even said thank you, but I think she was just shocked. I hope she ate it, but ya know, that doesn't matter. The Lord provided her with a way to eat lunch that day, even if she still had a long way to go before she would not have to beg for food any longer. Maybe the fact that I was nice, or someone on the sidewalk saw it and it changed them. Who knows, and again, it doesn't matter. What matters is that I was prepared to help those in need. Even when not seemingly grand; a used lunch - woopdie do.
For example.
I am not the best at going out of my way to talk to people, so when I do, I know the Lord is using me in a way that is more purposeful. There is reason. So I turned around to this girl this one time at institute. I had not seen her before, but that was the case with half of the room. I introduced myself and actually end up giving her my number at the end of the conversation, just naturally. No, that normally doesn't happen. I hadn't thought much about that incident from 5 months ago, but apparently she did. I got a call from her asking if she could get a ride to church, thinking I probably didn't remember her, but it all came back (but she was right at first -I had forgotten - I didn't get her number). I took her to church today and she's awesome. She said she started going to her mom's ward because she never felt really welcomed or like she belonged. I related to her and told her how I had to overcome that. She said I was the only girl she knew, and I also told her how we can overcome that. God wanted her to know she wasn't alone. Why me? I just happened to pick the seat in front of her. I think God was glad he could count on me and not resort to a back up plan.
Another explanation.
Some may know me as being indecisive. So anytime I have this feeling of surety and comfort - I run with it. I did this with my decision to attend BYU, with my decision to move to DC, and my decision in who I dated. Those are all slightly larger decisions, all of which were confirmed in my mind. I had to think about them; I had to do things to make sure I was prepared to make those decisions, but I was guided to them and am still making sure I am doing what I can to make sense of them. I don't know if I can just check things off; life is fluid. You must keep moving with the changes and seizing the opportunities that come, by being someone worthy and ready for them, but it's definitely easier knowing I have the full support of a Heavenly Father on my side. Someone knows me better than I know myself.
We all have certain traits and talents that lead us in different directions. This world would not be functional without people going after their desires. It's not selfish, hardly. Our desires can become selfish when we do it for the wrong reasons or give the credit to the wrong source. Good luck climbing out of that hole if you choose the latter. Satan will make it seem like it's the better route at first, but then you're stuck and you'll see how you forgot to listen to the right voice. It's always easier to prevent the spill in the first place than to clean it up later.
But you can always clean it up. This world would function better if people took more ownership for their spills instead of ignoring them or leaving them to someone else. {Hello foreclosure and healthcare debt, or roommate who never cleans up after herself}.
You are given more and more every time you exercise your faith and take action to the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Put your faith in the words of God, and your attitude will change, your desires will become righteous and you will find the purpose that you are looking for. I promise, all things will work together for your good.
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