Let it Happen

It has previously been against my nature to be an advocate to this phrase 

but as I have pondered I have found some great truth in it.

A very dear friend of mine once coined this phrase and I mocked it,

In another setting my counselor spoke the same phrase 

and I laughingly rejected it.

At another point in my life while seeking advice on how I can make 

my mission an amazing life-changing experience, 

my beloved mission president spoke the previously stated words. 

"You don't make it happen, You let it Happen..." 

The 'coincidental-ness' of all this lead me to ponder it deeper 

and to compare it to the truths I know.

We are Children of our Heavenly Father, 

we are here on earth to learn and grow. 

As part of our mortal progression we have the 

opportunity to choose between good and evil.

To 'Let it Happen' does not mean to give full sway to the 

influences of evil and temptation, there's more to it.

We have been given this earthly experience

with the purpose to succeed.

Our Heavenly Father knew it would be difficult 

and that we would make mistakes.

So He provided a Redeemer and Savior,

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

He paid the price for our sins, 

provided the perfect example, 

and taught His Gospel that through it

we may be cleansed from sin

and return safely home

back to our Heavenly Father's presence.

The First principle of His saving Gospel is to have FAITH.

This mortal experience is for the purpose to have us grow. 

We are like clay in the Potter's Hands.

He is molding us into something far greater than we can see.

In this mortal life we may never understand why we had 

to go through the trails and tribulations we did.

I believe as we all reflect back we will never regret the 

Growth of Character that has come as a result. 

Now whenever I go through experiences that are painful and I doubt here are some things that I have come to remember.

I don't know what the future holds but I know who holds it

Trust a known future to a known God

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."

-Proverbs 3:5-6 

He is helping you become 

"The Glorious being that He sees that 

you are capable of becoming" 

-President Boyd K. Packer  

I know that are Redeemer lives and because of Him we can be renewed and strengthened through His atonement daily. I know my Heavenly Father's love for me and for all of His children is real and eternal. It it His whole work and His glory for us to come Home to Him. 

 

The Rock

      The mission is so interesting. It is a pattern for our lives.

Not just the life that we will carry on after the name tag comes off, 

the mantle removed and we move on to regular life.

It establishes a pattern for our loyalty to the Savior on through eternity.

I had a great leader, a friend, and we had a work to do. We were in a good area and every day we had the sacred privilege of putting all of our energy in helping others come unto Christ. He taught us how to get lost in the work, immerse ourselves in the scriptures, to pray with great faith and witness miracles.

The mission went through a transition phase and we were taken out of the area and on to other responsibilities. I had no idea what the next assignment would include or how I was even adequate enough to be considered.

Black ball point pen on lined paper wrote: 

"There's a reason you were called to this, I will do my best to carry on the work you have done here while I still can...You are a leader."

These words meant nothing amidst the chaos of changes and goodbyes. A few miles up I-5 and I found myself in a total dream, everything I had always wanted and desired was right in front of me.

One night after planning and only a few degrees 
past total exhaustion we received a phone call, 

"Have you heard the news? Not to put a downer but 

there was a terrible accident. Your leader..." 

A dense cloud formed around me for days, I tried to work and serve but I was so hurt and I would not extend a helpful hand forward. Rather I grew very bitter and angry in my heart.

Why have I been left alone? Was my faith not strong enough? Why would you leave? It pains me to think of your body torn in pain, the suffering that you must have felt, the price that you paid, the love that you have.

In the moment I don't know if I understood the great, celestial example that was before me, possibly very similar to Peter. Though we cannot make up for the lost time we can make a resolved commitment to that leader that He has always intended us to be.

"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

-John 21:17

                                                 

I know that this Gospel is true, many people have layed down their lives for it. Because of the example of these individuals I have made the commitment to continue to give my whole life to it.

I know our Savior and Redeemer lives, this is His work.

"With God, nothing shall be impossible" -Luke 1:37