God Thinks You're Wonderful

Children’s books have always held a special place in my heart. They have a way of speaking “plainly that ye cannot err.” They teach purely and simply yet allow for individual interpretation and application. Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors. A few years ago a dear friend and sister gave me a copy of You Are Special with the following written on the cover,

“With great care He crafted you with 
His perfect hands. Always remember to 
turn to Him each day so He can remind you 
just how much He cares. Though you 
may not understand everything trust in His 
love and know that God doesn’t make mistakes 
and has created the perfect plan for you.”

This message pierced my heart again today as I have been pondering what His plan is for me. As a Young Single Adult (YSA) I find it especially difficult to understand what the Lord’s plan entails with regards to relationships.

Another close friend of mine compares dating to Tupperware. We are each seeking a lid, hoping to find one that snaps and seals tight. Our Tupperware containers vary in size, shape and even brands, each is unique and provides a variety of advantages.  This analogy reminds me of another favorite author, Shel Silverstein’s books The Missing Piece and The Missing Piece Meets the Big O.  

If you are anything like me, you have felt alone. For a long time I mind myself putout, tired and frustrated just sitting doing nothing, but then realizing it was not getting you anywhere you slowly lift yourself up, pull over and flop down. Gradually you find yourself moving forward, making progress and having rough edges smoothed. Doug Walker’s lyrics from Stones in a River describe this process much more eloquently than I can.


the trials of our lives can work for our good
if we let the savior's love surround us
he'll find us

like stones in the river
we are tossed and turned
when the current moves so strong
but stones in living water over time
are shaped until the edges are gone
polished and smooth, that's what we will be
if we put ourselves in god's hands
each day of our lives is a gift from the giver
to smooth all the edges
like stones in the river

Each day I am striving to allow my trials to work for my good. I turn to my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ and begin once again focusing on what matters most. The URL and thoughts within my profile all surround this, focusing on eternal truths; leaning upon the Savior’s infinite atonement while overcoming the opposition in this life by finding joy in the journey. Joseph Smith Jr. taught, “Happiness is the object and design of our whole existence...”

Finding this joy can sometimes be difficult, especially with the challenges of dating. These challenges fade away was we cease worrying about all the details and allow the Lord to assist in bringing them about according to His time. In the meantime, I have found it most beneficial to focus on my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. I am seeking to become the kind of wife and mother He needs me to be in the future.

Another wonderful friend shared the picture above along with the following quote at a time when I was discouraged in my journey. 

"You just run for God. Run for God with all your might and do not worry about who you will marry. Just keep your eyes on Jesus. One day you will look next to you and you will find someone running alongside of you with their eyes on Him, too."

Please don't get discouraged as you face life's challenges and opposition. You are never alone. He is by your side every step of the way. As you walk forward in faith,

"... promise me you'll never forget... 

that you aren't an accident or an incident... 

you are a gift to the world... 

God Thinks You're Wonderful."