Stars Build Faith

Maray na aldaw

We have seen so many miracles this week, especially in finding families to teach. We were also privileged to see someone we are teaching enter the waters of baptism. Her name is Kayla. I am brought to tears when I think of her story and a special experience that is close to my heart that helps us all better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Kayla and her baby kyle, who when he was born wrote on his record that his religion was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints even though she wasn't yet a member :)

The ward has been so great at supporting her and the Young Women have completely embraced her. 

It's been over a year since I've really looked at the night sky. This seems strange, but as a missionary, we are working until 9:30 pm and once we get home we still have to eat, update records, and get ready for bed before lights-out. But this week, we went on our roof before bed. As I looked up at the sky, I was filled with the spirit and as I watched the stars twinkling above me, a scripture verse came to my mind:

But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator. --Alma 30:44

As I gazed at the majesty of the stars arrayed in the heavenly canopy, I knew that He was there. The stars are proof to me that there is a God that has all power, wisdom, and love to create and care for all the works of His hand. They are reasurances to me that there is a God that I can "trust with all [my] heart and lean not unto to [mine] own understanding." (Proverbs 4:5) for "we can trust in the living God who is the savior of all men, specifically those that believe." (1 Timothy 4) 

When we "come to a knowledge of the goodness of  God and His matchless power and His wisdom and patience and longsuffering towards the children of men" (Mosiah 4:6,) we can trust that no matter the setbacks or hardships in our lives, we will as Job, "come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). Job had this trust in God even though he lost everything because he knew that his redeemer lives. 

When this faith is exercised we will not fear, as David of ancient times who faced a monsterous obstacle but did not trust in the arm of the flesh or his own strength for he knew "the battle is the Lord's." (1 Samuel 17:32) and "with God, nothing shall be impossible." (Luke 1:37.)

As we recognize His strength and our own weakness, we can trust in His Masterful hand to take us where we need to be, give us refining trials and shape us into His image for we are the clay and he is the Masterful Potter and "[w]e are the world of [His] hand." (Isaiah 64:8)

All the stress of trivial matters can be removed from our lives as we come to these realizations. "Wherefore, be of good cheer and do not fear"(D&C 68:6) for the Lord is with you and "shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers" (D&C 112:10.)

As we believe and trust in God, the same God of scriptures who performed countless miracles for those who had faith, the same God who created this beautifully designed world, from the smallest atom and quarks to the celestial bodies displayed across the universe, we can be sure that He is all power and love. I am going to take more time each day to look at the stars and realized this simple truth. I don't need to fear or stress for I know that my Redeemer lives. 

-Sister Gray