He will make it more

One of the hardest lessons that I have had to learn (and continue to learn) is to rely on the Lord with all of my heart. I have now been on my mission for nine months and every day of it I have struggled to let go of my own will. I want so much to please my Heavenly Father and I hold such a high standard of performance for myself. I have beat myself up with this standard that I have struggled to reach. Failing to reach these expectations has been a source of contention within the walls of my own heart.

Last week I had a really great conversation with my companion about my concern. I want so badly to give a satisfying offering to my Father in Heaven and I want to continue to reach for my fullest potential with out beating myself into the ground for failing to reach perfection. After a long conversation I walked into the bedroom and saw a picture sitting on top of the dresser. The picture was of the Savior and a young boy who was bringing a small offering of 5 loaves and 2 fishes. The caption on the picture said, 

"He will make it more."

 

 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down... When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

 ~ John 6:9-13

"He offered all he had. Surely he must have known that his meager contribution was not enough, but what a miracle he beheld when the Savior made it enough and more. Sometimes our gifts seem small, but let us always remember that He will make it more."

 ~ Simon Dewey

"We can find positive meaning in weaknesses that are not taken away. Surely nothing is quite as humbling as having a weakness that we cannot overcome but must continue to struggle with throughout our life. Such a weakness teaches us, in a very personal way, that after all we can do we must rely on the grace of Christ to make up the difference. As we humbly submit our will to the Lord’s, we find that our weaknesses can indeed become sources of strength if we put our trust in Him."

I have a testimony that although I am weak and flawed and fall short more often then not, I can be made whole through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He can take my meager contribution and make it more. I testify that He loves us, that he is patient with us, and that if we rely on Him all our weaknesses can me made strong. I love Him.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

21 Keys To A Successful Life

President Monson said, "In our journey on earth, we discover that life is made up of challenges—they just differ from one person to another. We are success oriented, striving to become “wonder women” and “super men.” Any hint of failure can cause us to panic and give up before we start."

"Our responsibility is to rise from mediocrity to competence, from failure to achievement. Our task is to become our best selves. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final."

Each one of us has been blessed with the gift and opportunity to repent every single day.  Our forgiving and completely loving Heavenly Father blesses each of us with a new day, a new sun rise to try again to be our best selves. 

Pres Hinckley in his first talk as President of the church told us all to, "Stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds... We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm. He will overrule for the good of this work. He will shower down blessings upon those who walk in obedience to His commandments. Such has been His promise. Of His ability to keep that promise none of us can doubt. "

"This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike."

I am thankful for the opportunity that my mission has given me to look inside myself, identify my weaknesses and be blessed to turn to God as he uproots them from me. I'm reminded everyday that I still have a long way to go, but I am grateful for the chance to work one-on-one with him everyday. Even as we try to turn this willful, stubborn missionary into a effective instrument in His hands.

We have been given so many tools to help us become the best versions of ourselves. The overreaching power we each are offered is the blessing of the Atonement. 

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, … omnipotent hand. …

H. Jackson Brown Jr. outlined a few specific ways that we can apply the Atonement into each of our lives:

1) Marry the right person. This decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.

2) Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talents.

3) Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully

4) Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5) Be forgiving of yourself and others

6) Be Generous

7) Have a grateful heart.

8) Persistence, persistence, persistence

9) Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest of salary.

10) Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11) Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12) Commit yourself to quality

13) Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige.

14) Be loyal

15) Be Honest

16) Be a self-starter

17) Be Decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong

18) Stop Blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19) Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

20) Take good care of those you love

21) Don't do anything that wouldn't make your mom proud.

I'm not suggesting that you try to accomplish all of these things today but we can start today. Become the person you want to be.