Voice of Love: Becoming by Sally Marks

 
     This month it took me a while to receive something from Heavenly Father because there were so many thoughts going through my head. I had an opportunity to attend the Genesis meeting while I was in Salt Lake City this month, and was very pleased with all I saw. It appears the message of love is being shared and indeed this is what Our Father wants us to share. I was also honored to hear the thoughts of those who felt the words in this column are being helpful in their daily lives. Thank you. To God be the glory!
     As I rode back home on the plane and looked at the clouds I could only praise Him for all He has done for me and continues to do. I am awed at who I am becoming. The gospel of Jesus Christ helps us to become someone we never dreamed we could become. We become soldiers in God's army and walk with respect and dignity. We begin to rise above our situations and realize Our Father is in control and nothing can happen to us for we are protected every day. The trials in life are to make us strong. We are being molded in the Master's Hands!
     I called my son one day, upset about something going on in the church. I told him I wanted to be the best Relief Society president ever. I wanted to be because "I am black," I said, "and I want to represent my people well." After sharing my thoughts with my son I later prayed and this is what I was told. You have not been called to represent YOUR people well. You have been chosen to represent ME well. You see, Brothers and Sisters, this race thing is really getting old! It is not about the color of our skin. It is about serving our Lord and Savior and listening daily to the promptings of the Holy Ghost who is here to guide, direct and teach us.
     As I began to ponder on the words whispered in my ears I opened my mind to understand that the problem is me. The problem is not whether white people will love me or not. The problem is do I love myself and do I know who I Am! When I began to understand, how foolish was I? People will always not like you for one reason or another. That is just how it is. Some people like my locks, some hate them. Some think I am a beautiful woman some say oh, she's alright! What is important is what you think about yourself. Stop blaming others for your insecurities and ask a caring and LOVING FATHER to heal you. That is exactly what I had to do. I had to ask Him to show me, ME again, and to remove those things that are not of Him. Now don't think I have arrived and don't feel insecure about things, but you can believe it is about being the best I can be for the Father. It is about asking Him for guidance and direction every day. Time out for feeling bad about myself. When I feel badly about myself, others sense it. Isn't that true? Can't you look at a person and know when he or she is confident?
     Brothers and sisters we are DIVINE children of our Father. We should walk with our heads high every day. We are in the Kingdom of God with a divine purpose. Did our brother, Jesus, worry about the Pharisees and what they thought, and oh by the way did He worry about how He looked carrying the cross? No! He had US on His mind and we should have Him on ours.
     I love the Lord so much!! I could never put into words how my heart feels right now. Repentance was in order when I whined that day to my son. I am so grateful for an earthly family that loves me unconditionally and who respects me for who I am today. I am grateful for you and all that you are to me and to mankind. I am grateful for the opportunity to share with you again that God loves you so much and knows the language of your tears. When you can't say the words, He knows the whispers of your heart. When Moses was given the assignment to go see Pharaoh, he asked God what name he should give the children of Israel when they asked Moses who sent him? The Lord responded say I AM sent you. So it is with us. Having been sent to earth to fulfill the Master's plan; don't worry about what people say, remember I AM sent you. For in Him you are becoming all He wants you to be. I say this, my dear Brothers and Sisters, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.