L-O-V-E

This week I decided to read again the talk that has had the most profound influence on my life. Every time I read this talk I feel humbled and more determined in my testimony of this great Gospel. 

The talk is "The Love of God" by Elder Uchtdorf. Although the whole talk is worth reading and studying and applying in our lives I wanted to specifically point out one part. It is under the section, "Why does Heavenly Father Love Us?" Elder Uchtdorf says, 

"God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that he doesn't care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. 

"We are important to God not because of our resume but because we are his children. He loves everyone of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God's love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked."

"What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to him so that He can draw near to us."

 These words bring great comfort to me as I try to accept love from myself, those around me, and especially my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I try to put God's love for me in a box, to limit it, because of how I feel, but the more I try interpreting through the spirit how God feels about me, the more I realize that God's love doesn't fit in a box. It is so much that it fills the whole earth and all the earth's that he's created and the Heavens. We are His creations. I think about the things that I create, a cute card, a great paper, a meaningful gift. I love these things. They make me so happy. I cannot even imagine the love God feels for the people he has created. 

Elder Uchtdorf asks the question, "How can we increase our love of God?" At the end of his discussion of that question he says,

"Try and keep on trying, until that which seems difficult becomes possible--and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."

I love these words. It does not happen overnight that we can feel God's love or that we can increase our love for him. This is a work. I have been trying to cut the ties I have made from my worth to the things of this world or the things that don't have any value or meaning. I have been trying to replace those ties and attach them to things of greater worth, like our Savior, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father's love, which never wavers. 

Love can truly change our lives. We are God's children. It is a work to be a good child of God, but it is a work that is filled with faith, miracles, and love beyond the comprehension of our finite minds. 

You are worth it. I am worth it.