There You Are, Peter!

While watching the movie "Hook" the other day, a few thoughts came to mind...

The the biggest thought, was of our tendency to forget who we really are. The movie basically centers around Peter Pan, and that as he grew older, he forgot who he really was.

So often this happens to us too. We allow others to determine what we think of ourselves. We compare ourselves to others. We take our weaknesses, and hold them up in comparison to others strengths. We forget who we really are. Our potential. Our Divine nature. Our greatness. At times we forget who and Who's we really are.

"God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn't care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely." -President Dieter F Uchtdorf

We are wonderful. We are beautiful. We are inherently good, strong, and powerful. We are His...

His love will find and remind us of who we really are. He will send others to help in this process as well. Loving family and friends often help us and lift us, when we doubt ourselves. They encourage and love us. They see the good in us and remind us of who we really are.

In 'Hook' it was a friend of Peter's named 'Pockets' that believed in him, and helped him remember who he really was. (Click the link below to see what we are talking about...)

There You Are, Peter! Scene from Hook Movie (1991) | MOVIECLIPS

We all need a 'Pockets' in our lives. And it would be a wonderful thing if we could be a bit more like 'Pockets' in encouraging, loving, and believing those around us. Remind them who they really are, of their greatness and potential. It will greatly bless our lives if we try with all we are to see each other, and ourselves, as He see us...

"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 

1 Samuel 16:7

Love is the way of the disciple...

"Love should be our walk and our talk.

"Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true attitude of our discipleship.

"Love is the way of the disciple."

-President Dieter F Uchtdorf (Ensign November 2009)

Forget You Not...

Last night was the General Relief Society meeting...

President Uchtdorf gave a talk entitled "Forget Me Not." He spoke of a time when he was walking through a beautiful garden with his wife and daughter when he noticed the tiny bloom of a Forget-Me-Not among the flowers. He said he recognized this flower because he has had a tender connection to it since his childhood. He went on to use the flower and it's five petals as a metaphor...

**First, forget not to be patient with yourself.
"Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember to also be compassionate and patient with yourself."

**Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.
"Dedicating some of our time to studying the Scriptures or preparing to teach a lesson is a good sacrifice. Spending many hours stitching the title of the lesson into homemade pot holders for each member of your class perhaps may not be." :)

**Third, forget not to be happy now.
He spoke of the story of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the search for a 'golden ticket'... "The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy."

**Fourth, forget not the "why" of the gospel.
"While understanding the "what" and the "how" of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the "why." When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet."

**Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.
"Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love."

He concluded by saying, "Sisters, we love you. It is my prayer and blessing that you will never forget that you are truly precious daughters in God's kingdom..."