Today's Relief Society lesson was based on this talk. I love Relief Society. It's like finally getting the gourmet dessert after a seven course meal. The hormones start swirling around the room and you have no clue what's going to happen. The sob fest attacks you like the plague. One lady shares a story and pretty soon the whole room is bawling.
Today we talked about pretty universal topics. Judgement. Grudges. Forgiveness. The list is fathomless.
I feel this is something that virtually everyone struggles with. I know I have to fight judgmental thoughts on almost a daily basis because they so easily slip. I love how President Uchtdorf says to replace those thoughts with a heart full of love for Heavenly Father and his children. With this problem, there is actually a pretty quick fix. This is where I'll give President Uchtdorf the stage....
The Bottom Line.
This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:
Stop it!
It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, “Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.”
We must recognize that we are all imperfect—that we are beggars before God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seat and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy—to be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed?
Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves? My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven?
Now to introduce the 3 day challenge:
Each of the 3 days, during at least one situation you stop and ask yourself, "What would a holy woman do?". See if you can notice a difference. I'm up for the challenge. Are you?
Every single person on this earth is absolutely beautiful. We are all different but the worth of each and every one of us is the same in the sight of God. Along with forgiving others, we need to forgive ourselves. We are all human. So inevitably, we are all sinners. BUT, we ALWAYS have time to work on our weaknesses. Letting our light shine bright will liberate others to do the same.
Let your light shine, you beautiful people! ....and have a glorious week!
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