[13] The Spirit To Me

This is a more serious thought, but I wanted to put it up on my blog, so if my hard copy journal gets lost or ruined, I can always have this entry I wrote.

       Over the summer, I wen't on a Church History tour. One of the stops was Joseph Smith's birthplace in Sharon, Vermont. It was such a peaceful place. I remember sitting in the room by the piano looking out into the trees and significant monument while a friend played the piano. I felt so amazing that I wrote down how I felt. That day, I had been pondering the Spirit and how the feelings are different for everyone. I felt like in that moment, I could express in words how it felt for me, so I did and this has become one of my most important words as I find myself constantly looking back on what I wrote for guidance. I titled it The Spirit to Me meaning how the Spirit speaks to me, and how I know how I feel when it is the Spirit.

I wrote, "The Spirit to me is the hope I feel. The drive in my heart to do good. It is the cleansing of my view to see who I really am, the view of who I can be. The Spirit is the incredibly strong desire I get to do everything I can to help those around me feel Christ-like love. The excitement I get to share this beautifully perfect gospel. 

     To me, the Spirit is the comforting thoughts that burn within me. sometimes I feel like I might explode with joy. The Spirit is the change I plan to become more Christ-like. Nothing bad enters my mind. It is the reassurance of what I know, who I am, and what I know is right. The strength I feel within myself that I know I can overcome anything.

       The Spirit to me is the decreasing distance between me and Jesus Christ. It is the love I feel from Him and His voice telling me that I am not alone. The Spirit is so strong. It makes me feel like I can never be knocked down. It is the unwavering faith and burning light that can never be darkened. It is the willingness inside of me to devote everything to helping everyone feel the peace the gospel brings. It is the firm testimony I have that I will give anything for. I will never stop standing as a witness of God. 

      The Spirit is the piercing voice of warning, love, and comfort that is small but extremely powerful. The Spirit is the brightness I see in everyone around me. The incredible love I have for people I've never met. The desire for them to reach their full potential and gain everything Heavenly Father has. The Spirit is every piece of happiness I feel. A happiness that the world looks for, but rarely finds. I will never lose this. I will do whatever it takes to keep this fire burning inside me. 

      Even if no one else will stand with me, I'll stand alone because I know that I'm not really alone. I will, simply because that is what Heavenly Father needs me to do. And that is enough for me."