You're a Gem.

This morning, in conjunction with seeking light & inspiration at a nearby temple (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), I had a very sweet and powerful experience.  With it being the weekend, I was going to wait and type it up next week, but when I saw that it was International Women's Day, I knew I needed to take the time to share this TODAY.

While driving away from my house this morning I had the idea to text a song to a friend of mine.  I've learned to as-immediately-as-possible follow through with the whisperings of God's spirit, so I pulled over and sent the text.  Next came the thought to tell her how amazing she is, that she is just the way God needs her to be (strengths, weaknesses, insecurities and all) and that He works beautifully through her.

That phrase made me think of a prism and how it refracts light.  The words came to me, "We're each unique prisms (with the different faces & facets of our personalities and testimonies) and God's truth, light and love shines through us in ways that touch different people."

As I got back on the road and on to the freeway the cloud coverage was blocking much of the sun's light, what had just been a bit of snow was now encompassing the road and reducing visibility.  It looked quite bleak ahead of me.

Yet I had a feeling that as I got closer to the temple the sun would reappear.

Sure enough, as I exited and turned up the hill towards the temple, there was almost no sign that it'd been snowing.  The sun was brightly shining, accentuating the experience that I was having.

I parked, texted my friend the idea about the prism and walked in to the temple.  As I started walking up the stairs my eye caught a collection of little rainbows up on the wall.  I silently gasped as I saw they were coming from the little diamond prisms in the stain glass window.

I felt like God had been with me the whole time, teaching me beautiful truths through each followed prompting.

After that experience, if I could shout one message from the roof tops to the women around the world, this is what I would share...

God created each of us with distinct beauty, timeless traits and divine gifts.  The more we come to know these truths, the more clarity that we'll have about ourselves and the greater ability to share God's light.

As I pondered this, the thought came to me that too often we busy ourselves with outward polishing--I need to work on this "flaw", overcome this "weakness", get rid of this "ugly" part of me.  Or perhaps at times, or for very long, unrelenting seasons, we are clouded with doubt & discouragement, seemingly beyond any hope of being capable to accomplish what needs to be done or ability to be "good enough".  Yet, even in those darkest moments when we feel buried in the depths of despair, our value in God's eyes is the very same, just as if we were a gemstone hidden deep in the earth.  It is no less precious.

Each day if we could do ONE thing to fulfill the purpose of our creation it would be...

SEEK HIS LIGHT!

Let go of the comparisons.  Set down the unnecessary and unobtainable expectations.  Leave the polishing to the Creator.

As we seek God, His cleansing light will purify, polish and sanctify us.

The beauty is, not only does this process bring more clarity and understanding of who we truly are, but the light that we refract, also allows others to better understand their purpose, beauty, mission and truth.

So do yourself a favor, do those around you a favor, don't dim your shine, don't play small.  Instead look inside of you to feel the truth of who you really are.  Seek to be in a place where God's light can illuminate your soul.  I will tell you, the best companions come with light--love, HOPE, faith, kindness, concern for others...JOY!  Pure God-given JOY!

Just like my experience this morning, your path may feel obscured, unforgiving and bleak, but keep your sights on where you're going and continue on.  The light will come and with it a knowledge of God's great purposes for you and the precious gem that you have been created to be.

And

SO MUCH LOVE to fill your HEART!  It is so worth it.  This my friend, is the type of woman that will be a powerful influence for good, a force to be reckoned with.

P.S. This song is one of my new FAVORITES! Just had to share it because of its message of light. (Listen to it herehttps://g.co/kgs/3GXQoF.)

The moon is sitting in his favourite moment
The stars are by his side
But I can tell it's going to take you a minute
Before you sleep tonight
And I know that you might feel alone
In the quiet of the night
And how you long to keep the light on

His word, is a lamp
And a light, to your path
And Jesus promised to be with you
Where you are, where you are
You don't have to be afraid, of the dark anymore
Because His truth will keep the light on, in your heart
Yes His truth will keep the light on

This old world is going to keep on spinning
But you're going to be alright
‘Cause there's not a minute, that he's not here in it
Standing by you side
And I know that you might feel alone
In the mystery tonight
But you can always keep the light on (because)

He'll keep your burning, pure and clean
If you'll let His light shine on everything
And bring all that's broken
Into the brightness of Jesus

And He will light up your life, like the Tennessee sky
You'll glow in the dark, like a firefly
And you'll stand like a lighthouse
A beacon of hope in the night