Filling the Lamp

I have always loved the parable of the ten virgins. I have heard it from a very young age, and it has served me well in my life. In every day choices I usually overestimate how much of something I will need for fear of running out. I always put away a little extra money, I always put in a little extra detergent, I always wear one extra layer of clothing. This usually serves me quite well.

While I always tend to be paranoid about the practical and more physically obvious things in life, I still manage to neglect the spiritual. I find that I will quite often run out of oil and realize I missed an opportunity because I wasn't prepared. Or that I could have learned a new principle, but I wasn't in a position to listen. But what I am most prone to do is just wear myself out and lose the desire to be Christlike.

Today I got sick of this wearing myself out. So I did something about it.

I spent a significantly larger portion of my day being spiritual. I read talks, scriptures, watched videos, and so on. I was filling my lamp. I always fill my lamp, but not until I have already run out and I end up saying that one thing to that one person who is hurt and then I have to do damage control. Oy. My new goal is to fill as I go. Novel concept, right? I just hope we can all remember to recharge. Mentally. Emotionally. And most importantly, spiritually. Everything else tends to go better when you do.

Now. I am a very spiritually private person. I don't like to share the truly deep and personal things I know and feel. I don't know if it is a fear of judgment or what. But I have never felt comfortable being open about it. I believe that sharing a very necessary part of being spiritual. And I want to do better. So:

I have a deep love for my Heavenly Father. He knows me and loves me and is willing to do anything for me. He even allowed his only son, Jesus Christ, to die so that I could be made perfect. Through this atonement I can receive forgiveness for my shortcomings and return to live in the kingdom of God. I have a testimony that we are not left alone. God has given us apostles and prophets to guide us on the earth today. Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God on the earth today, and we can continually receive guidance through his council. We also have apostles on the earth, as in the days of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Simply put, it is another testament to the divinity of Jesus Christ, and is a companion to the Bible. It brings comfort and understanding to the troubles we face in life.

To any who feel lost or abandoned; you need not be. God loves you. He cares for your happiness. He has given us the proper tools to draw near unto Him. We need only to seek them. "Pray. He is there. Speak. He is listening." He seeks for your happiness, and I hope you will in turn seek for Him.