Day 9 of 365 days of solace: A God for individuals!

Cleaning up dishes the fun way!

Today I was telling a friend about an experience, which I thought was interesting.  I was telling a family member that Heavenly Father had blessed me in a specific way.  She dismissed it, and said, "Oh, no, that's not God, that's just you.  God's too busy to care about little things."

I love how children delight in helping!

In the past (when I didn't use to be so nice, and I was a LOT more confrontational), I would have gotten an attitude and replied forcefully.  But now, I just try hard to let people voice their opinion without always feelings the need to "correct" them, or to "put them in their place."

Breakfast: "Hamster in the Hole"

If I do decide to respond to something (versus, just saying nothing- which there is a time and place for), I try very very hard to make sure I speak with love--

Sometimes speaking with love means to speak in warm, loving words.

And sometimes speaking with love means just to listen, or speak more softly and patiently--paying close attention to kind tones! (which I momentarily did not show my son yesterday!)

In this case, I spoke with love, by speaking in softer tones, and I did not jump down her throat and say- how dare you talk like that. (In truth, she said some...mmmm..not very kind things- which I have not shared here.)

Dinosaur boy has dinosaur fights on my cell phone!!

Some of you may not believe that God is a tender, loving, merciful God, who knows and loves each one INDIVIDUALLY, but that is exactly what kind of a God He is! If you seek Him through scripture and prayer, and ask Him if He loves you, and what He wants for you to do in this life- He will direct you.  The answer may not come immediately, but as you decide to come to know Him, and diligently study His word each day, He will lead you to that truth- which is that you are loved by Him, and you are of infinite worth.

I love this excerpt by Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

You are not forgotten. 

Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love. 

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time! 

He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom.

The Psalmist wrote: 

“When I consider thy heavens,

the work of thy fingers, 

the moon and

the stars, which thou hast ordained; 

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? … 

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, 

and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”⁵ 

My son was upset that I made him
wear this Frozen Olaf shirt!

God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes. 

The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow. 

....you are closer to heaven than you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine. Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. 

Please REMEMBER- you are never alone!

Sometimes God directly communicates with us, as in a sacred, special feeling, song, memory, and a variety of other experiences that He uses to communicate His love for us, and our value in His eyes. 

Sometimes God uses the voice, hands, and hearts of others to communicate His love for us.  The source of all pure, sweet, unselfish love comes from God.  When you are on an errand of kindness and mercy, you are on his errand.  When others do the same for you,they are on God's errand.  It's that simple.

Here are just a few beautiful verses on the subject of God's love!

• 1 John 4:1616 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

• 1 John 4:77 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 

  1 John 5:22 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

  1 John 4:1212 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 

  Ephesians 5:22 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Moroni 7:13

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

Here is a beautiful song, to consider.  I hope you find the answers you seek in understanding that YOU have a place that you belong in this world!

I know life is scary and sad sometimes, but God can help you find your way through it all.

Trust Him,
Christine