A Loving Father in Heaven

"He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure indescribable love.  We are important to God not because of our resume but because we are His children.  He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful or broken.  God's love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I know that I am lucky. I was raised in a home where my  parents were married. (Still are. 49 years in May.)  I grew up with two loving parents who cared for me.  They worked hard and we were poor.  But, our home was filled to overflowing with love.

Because of this, it's easy for me to believe in a loving Heavenly Father.  While I believe that He is all-knowing and all-powerful, I also believe He is caring.  That He wants me to be happy.  This belief brings me great comfort and hope. 

I recently read a post about prayer.  The author was asking if others thought prayer really works.  She believes in prayer, but more as a 'positive thoughts' kind of thing.  I think it's good to pray, no matter who or what you believe in.  As for me, I believe there is a Person I pray to and that He is listening.  I have had my prayers answered too many times to believe it's coincidence.  

 I like knowing that I'm not alone in my struggles.  That there's Someone who is watching over me, and if I ask, He'll send help.  My problem is that, often, I forget to ask.  It's easy in our day to day to just take it all on ourselves.  We trudge through, dodging the stones being thrown, picking up the pieces, not bothering to lay our burden at His feet. 

Yesterday, I was weighed down.  Nothing life-threatening or huge.  Just the everyday stress, with a generous helping of family concern.  It was enough, tho, that I found myself pleading for help.  'I don't know how to do it myself. Please, help me find a way.'  

Today, through the help of angels, who happen to live in our neighborhood, my burdens were lifted, problems solved.  Prayers answered.

"What this means it that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us.

No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, 

our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near

to Him so that He can draw near to us." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

(Read Pres. Uchtdorf's talk here.)