Our second devotional comes from TCU senior Kalina Fajardo. Kalina is a senior music education major from Fort Worth, Texas. She is an RA, a member of multiple choirs and Christian organizations, and she leads TCU’s Latter-Day Saint Student Association (@tcu.ldssa). If you meet her, you will quickly notice that she radiates kindness and positivity. Truly: it’s almost magical. You can see her read in our 2020 virtual Carols by Candlelight video coming out on 12/7!
Reading:
2 Nephi 4:16 “For my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.”
Reflection:
Over the past eight months, my mind has been racing. Sometimes I feel like it runs its own race, and it takes great effort persuade it to come along with me and focus on my zoom class, engage in conversation with my friends and neighbors, or spend time in prayer. Most often, my mind likes to linger on things I consider to be “lost”: half of my study abroad semester, a productive summer travelling and working summer camps, singing close to my friends again, getting to hug people whenever I feel like it. When my mind travels this familiar path of mourning, I am far from delight. I’m usually also far from any productive thought process as well.
These words from the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi sank into my heart, the way much-needed advice often does, “my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually”. While my mourning certainly has its place, I can choose to ponder on the things of the Lord instead. Rather than relive my losses, I can delight in my spiritual memories. I can remember the Lord and remember the ways He has lifted me and blessed me in times past, with the assurance that He will continue to do so.
During this season, let us choose to balance our racing thoughts of disappointment and grief with memories of when the Lord has been good to us. Let us remember, ponder, and delight in the things of the Lord, and in our personal witness of Him. Let us use this delight to bring joy and hope to others.
Let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the ways You have been present and involved in our lives every step of the way. Thank You for the ways you have come through for us, for the blessings both visible and invisible to us. Please bless us with the strength and peace to remember You and to delight in Your word and Your presence. Show us the way. Amen.
Comments