“The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think,
what we really do, and who we really are becoming.”
what we really do, and who we really are becoming.”
Another thing I'm taking away from my trip to Paris is that God knows each one of us personally. I knew this before going, but was struck by this thought over and over again during my trip as I was surrounded by so many people.
I don't usually feel like I'm only ONE of such a large crowd in my normal life, but crowding onto the Metro and seeing hordes of people at the Louvre and around town had me feeling overwhelmed by the thought of how many people there are in the world.
I would stand on the Metro looking at the variety of people and then think about how they all have their own families and friends, and how those people have their own families and friends and so on and so on so that my mind could hardly comprehend how many lives full of hopes, fears and struggles that means there are...and this was just in Paris! What about an ever bigger city?! I don't even want to think about India or Japan or some place.
One day in particular as we were riding the Metro, there was a young man (early 20s) who appeared to be going home from work. He was clearly upset and seemed to be stressed and going over an incident. My heart hurt for him and I said a little prayer on his behalf. I then thought, that if I felt love and concern for this stranger, how much more must the Lord feel for Him since He knows him by name, and knows his past, present, future and potential? It was a soul-opening moment for me for sure.
**Thoughts??**
Comment Window Tidbit: I love Sundays!
Comment Window Tidbit: I love Sundays!
29 comments:
What beautiful thoughts here...
thank you :)
It is hard to understand but so comforting to know.
Great post. I agree with Jenn--so hard to understand, but such a wonderful doctrine. I think about temple work--it could be done so fast if we did work for masses at a time, but it's one by one by one--it's the one that matters.
Very thoughtful post! Thank you...
Love the new banner and picture by the way....enjoyed reading your thoughts for today...
This is a "thought" or epiphany that I can really relate to. Throughout my life I have had countless epiphanies about the love of the Lord for me, for each of us. I have prayed for many a stranger in circumstances like you mentioned. I don't know why I have learned this countless times, but it seems like more than any other part of my testimony, this understanding has come to me, this view of myself amidst so many in the world, and how much we each are loved. I remember standing in the ocean as a young girl on a campout with my Girl Scout troop and knowing the Lord knew me, that I was not alone. This knowledge really made it easy for me to stay on the straight and narrow throughout my growing up years. I guess it has been a spiritual gift and a blessing because it has been such a continued personal revelation. It has helped me to have great compassion for people who make bad choices. I suppose it was easier when I was younger, and now that I am an adult making my own way I sometimes still need to remind myself.
I love your story about the man on the Metro. I think that is going to stay with me throughout the week.
Elder Bednar always says the most wonderful things, doesn't he? Inspired for sure.
I had very similar thought when I was on my trip to New York City last summer. So many people, and yet He knows ME so personally.
ah, jill. i am crying. thank you. i needed this right now. i am having the worst experience at work, and my character, person, judgement, and whole being has been called into question on more than one occasion in punitive and hurtful ways. the one thing that has helped me get through it was being able to pray - and to know that heavenly father knows ME. that quote is going on my fridge. i need it. i also apparently need to continue to work on my faith- because it seems like it gets tested when i least expect it.
This is beautiful, Jill. I am struck by the thought that I was right there with you while you were having these insights and epiphanies and soul-opening moments and I didn't even know it! Let alone experience those same things. It makes me realize that I could be paying a lot more attention.
p.s. LOVE your new profile pic!!
What a kind person you are, Jill.
Your story of the moment on the metro will linger with me; I can tell I will mull it over & use it in relation to my own growing pains right now. Thanks for sharing such personal insights.
Have a good week!
xoxo
This is one of my favorite things about cities. You really learn that your way isn't the only way, and not only that, but that the Lord is working in so many different ways with so many different people. When I think of all the diverse cultures and backgrounds He is present in, it is overwhelming. I know people here who are completely different than I am, but they still know the same God. It's a testament of His omniscience and omnipresence, and of all the scriptures where He speaks of His other folds and the trees in the far reaches of the vineyard.
Your silent prayer made me smile, as I say so many for people I pass as I'm commuting on the train or bus, or walking down the street. It's a good time to people watch, and you see so many who just look downtrodden, or who have some kind of obvious handicap or difficulty. I am always reminded of how blessed I am in what I see as a fairly simple existence. In reality, I have so much that I don't acknowledge.
"It was a soul-opening moment for me for sure." Indeed, indeed and you captured it so beautifully to teach us, too. Thank you.
oh my AMEN! Try going to Mexico City...if not the biggest in the top 3 spots. Good epiphany missy, especially since you are not in that environment often enough to really dissect it. I love what Michelle said too, often there are things that you are preoccupied with that you don't notice things or sometimes you do...and leave your stuff to the side....
what photo?///I am so not detail oriented sometimes...cute!
I often find myself caught up in thinking about all the people I come across. They each have their own lives full of other people who have their own lives, etc., etc. Sometimes when I'm driving on the freeway I'll think about how each of those people is going somewhere from somewhere. Or in the airport, thousands of people are coming and going, some excited, some sad, some apathetic. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all those thoughts, but like you I find it comforting to know that Heavenly Father knows each of them.
And I like that term: soul-opening. I like it a lot.
And I LOVE that quote by Elder Bednar. Love it.
What a great quote! Love these thoughts as usual. I have a hard time in crowded places (I think it is one reason I dont' love Disneyland) because so many of hte people seem sad and just look like life is too hard. I always so feel guilty, how come I am so blessed, how come I was born into such a great family, how come I am so happy when so many are not? I think it is so sweet that you said a prayer for that young man....
great thoughts...
I really love Elder Bednar. His quote is so perfect and I need to remember that.
I love that you have written that thought and feeling down. To teach and to remember.
I, too, pray for those that I see when I am walking or driving. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of them but I feel blessed when "I" see them and acknowledge that they would benefit from a prayer.
I called the temple the other day to add someone's name to the prayer roll. I only had the first name and it dawned on me - Heavenly Father knows who I am calling about.
Such a blessing to know this. To understand this. To share this!
Those are great thoughts. It's awesome that you were so thoughtful to say a prayer for that guy. It is quite staggering when you think about it that way.
Ya.. that quote pretty much stomps on my thinking I am fooling anyone. It is comforting to be known and loved but it is also overwhelming to know I am not living up to my "potential." (hate that word but can't think of another)
I have felt that way about a stranger before but never thought about it the way you did...what beautiful thoughts you have shared. Thank you!
Simply amazing. Love those moments of epiphany.
I cannot comprehend HOW God knows and loves us all individually, but I know that He does.
These are beautiful thoughts, Jill. I often worry about being aware of the needs of each of my 4 girls, even though I feel like I know them so well and love them totally. Our Heavenly Father's capacity for love is beyond what I can comprehend, but I'm very grateful for it.
I love how you expressed these feelings. Often, when I'm wondering how to help someone and am praying about doing so, I pray that they will feel--if even for a moment--a full measure of the Savior's love for them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love Sundays, too!
It's an amazing thought that the Lords knows each one of us personally and comforting to know we are not left to do it alone.
Lovely thoughts.
I've thought about this before, too, and it is beyond my comprehension. I am amazed at this world that the Lord created for us. It is so large and expansive, yet Heavenly Father can zero in on each of us individually.
There is a Hilary Weeks song that talks about seeing those around us in need, like the man on the subway, and saying a prayer for them because that is the most we can do. I try to do this, and feel so much love for them, even though I do not know them. I love your perspective that the Lord knows them and loves them so much more. We are so blessed to have this knowledge. I don't know how I got to be so lucky.
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