This last week I attended a Relief Society meeting with some wonderful ladies,
all about having a Christ centered Christmas.
There were some wonderfully talented ladies who sang,
played the violin and even formed an impromptu chime choir.
As I recalled some of the things that were shared that evening
I remembered something specific.
There was a testimony shared by a wonderful sister,
she wanted everyone who entered her home to know that
she believed in Christ.
This morning I was thinking about the power of that statement
"I Believe"
not just in Christ but because of Christ.
I have a fundamental belief that people are good
- everyone -
not in a rosy glass kind of way though.
I believe that people have a tremendous capacity to do good, because of Christ.
Moroni 7:13
"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and
enticeth to do a continually; wherefore,
every thing which inviteth and b to do c,
and to love God, and to serve him, is d of God."
Now that said People do bad things, make difficult or strange choices
with harsh consequences, but under that there is good in everyone.
I also believe that the more we let people see
that we believe this about them
the better they will feel, about themselves,
their circumstances, their relationships, and their efforts.
I believe this mostly because someone showed this much belief in me.
I don't even think he realized how much this has effected my life.
TIME FOR BACK STORY
My first semester at university I began running
and within a few months I was in emergency care having my knees x-rayed
and came home to have surgery and try to recover.
My surgery was minor and recovery was long and boring!!
All summer I walked around town with a cane/crutch
waiting to be told I could go without!!
(which didn't ever happen, but that's another story!)
During that summer I was contemplating going back to school
since my first semester had been a complete nightmare!!
(another story for another time!)
I was going about my usual summer activities
which included attending the summer rodeo.
(yes you heard it here first I WAS A BUCKLE CHASER!)
As I attended that rodeo a friend of mine sat down beside me.
Now here is a point of clarification - this friend of mine
is older than my father and is a wonderful man
who's children were all grown and living lives of their own.
I believe he was a clerk for our Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint Ward
(I could be wrong).
I don't remember the exact words of the conversation that we had
or even why he said he needed to talk to me.
What I do remember is the tone of our conversation,
when I suggested I was considering different options for school
he said one word, "why."
Now in my 19 year old brain I had every reason
to choose a different path and try something different.
He might have been simply curious but at the same time
the tone of the conversation changed from that point.
I didn't try to justify my decision making process, I told him the truth.
School has been rough and I'm not doing well, and I don't like it.
(Sounds Super 19 year old doesn't it)
He didn't tell me to grow up or change my mind and go to school,
I don't actually remember what he said at all,
but I do know that when I left the rodeo that night
I knew that he believed I could do it and I started believing I could too.
Now That Is IMPORTANT!!
This man took the time to have a conversation with me,
and let me open up to him.
He showed me He BELIEVED.
Not just in my ability to go back to university but in me.
So here is the TRUTH!!
There was no miracle,
I went, I still did not excel, I still had trouble with roommates,
I didn't like some of my classes at all!!
But I had changed, SOMEONE BELIEVED IN ME,
(and expressed it) and I had changed.
There were some aspects of my university experience I completely enjoyed,
I tried harder at a lot of things, not just school.
And eventually after a year I ended up with awesome roommates
in a ward where I grew to love lots of people - not just my roommates.
I decided to serve a mission and upon returning home
I did not return to that university.
My situation in life today is directly related
to that decision to return to University.
I do not believe I would have chosen a mission
had I changed my educational path, and my mission has blessed my life
in more ways than I will ever understand!!
Now I don't believe that in order to show someone that you believe
they are a good person who can do good things - even great things -
you need to say those words.
I believe that you can show this through your actions.
When I am out with my two year old I encourage her to talk to strangers,
I know that sounds crazy but it is true
and I believe what it teaches her is important.
I am right there being a vigilant parent,
but if she want to say something to someone
or someone approaches her to talk I encourage
her to communicate with them.
Sometimes even the strangers are a little taken aback
that I encourage my two year old to say things to them.
Here are some examples.
At the park there are myriads of kids running around and she notices
one of the mommies is wearing a beautiful coat with bright stripes.
She comes and tells me, I tell her I like it too and
I ask her if she would like to go tell said mommy that we think it is beautiful.
Away we go and to my amazement the mommy is a little shocked
that I am even talking to her, let alone my two year old!!
I enjoyed our short visit, and it showed her I BELIEVED that she was a good person.
Good enough to talk to and good enough for my children to associate with!
At the grocery store or running errands with the girls
to the bank, the clinic, or the health unit, and a wide range of other places,
we often run into people who admire Ms. A's long hair or Eyes,
or are commenting on Ms. E's mass of unruly curls.
I encourage my girls to have an actual conversation with these people,
not talking over them, accepting for them
and excluding them from further communication.
I often encourage Ms. A to say thank you herself and ask them how their day is going!
I BELIEVE these people are good people,
as before good enough to talk to and
good enough for my children to associate with.
Now for the disclaimer I do have conversations with my children about
staying close to mom and Always checking with me first
before talking with people who are Initiating conversations with them,
and never getting in anyone's car without my permission and the like.
But I don't believe that I should teach my children that
anyone who she has not met before is a dangerous person
and liable to do bad things.
This applies equaly to those we do know not just those we don't!!
I wonder some times if I express often enough to the women I associate with
how much I believe in them,
and I wonder how different their day or their week would be if I did!!
So here is my list - anyone close to me knows I am addicted to lists!!
I Believe
I believe in a human race that has an enormous capacity for good
I Believe
I believe that when I show others I believe in them it changes them FOR GOOD.
(not just for the day)
I Believe
I believe that some wife's and mothers stretch and grow everyday
and need someone who just simply believes in them.
(AND SAYS IT!)
I Believe
I believe that expressing confidence in others is an exponential pattern.
I express that I believe you can accomplish something
you believe you can (just a little more)
you accomplish your goal
You believe in yourself just a little more
(Set another goal!)
you express to someone else that
they can also accomplish this goal
YOU BELIEVE IN THEM!
THEY BELIEVE IN YOU!
(You can call it the Pay It Forward principle if you want)
I Believe
I believe that This all Comes through CHRIST.
A loving savior who understands all our guilt, our shame,
our joy, our sorrow, our sleepless nights, and tireless days.
I Believe
I believe that Anyone who just read this has thought of at least one person that they need to call, email, or text message right now and tell them
YOU BELIEVE!!
SO GET OFF OF HERE AND GO DO IT!!!!
