Look Up

I created this blog several months ago, and then never did anything with it. I have thought about it a few times, and couldn't even remember what I named it. Something made me check it out tonight and I have to be honest that I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the title I had given my blog. "Look Up" became an inspirational phrase a few years ago for me, as I read 2 Nephi 2:28. I love this chapter in the Book of Mormon, and for some reason, as I read this verse that day, the phrase "look up" came to my mind. I wrote it in my scriptures, in journals, on sticky notes to put on my door and walls. In General Conference in October 2011, I was touched when Elder Carl B. Cook gave a talk based around this idea, and an experience he had with President Monson. It was a tender mercy of sorts.

I feel it so appropriate and important at this time of my life to have "Look Up" as one of my life motto's. Each day, I get up with many concerns and cares on my mind. I wonder about school and my ability to perform the tasks there. I wonder about how my body will feel that day - will I have the physical strength to do the things that are required of me and even more, will I be able to handle whatever physical suffering I experience in the day in a Christlike way? Will I have the charity in my heart to be selfless and kind enough as I interact with my family and others throughout the day? I wonder if I will be all I should be and do all I should do. As I kneel each morning and ask my Heavenly Father for help through the day, I am reminded of who and what I am looking to in my life and reassured that all will be well because I cannot fall if I am built on His rock. When I look up to Him and to His will, everything in my life falls into place. I am at peace.

This is a time of my life when I feel like there are so many different possibilities and sometimes that makes me anxious. I am seeing though, that as I 'Look Up' all the fear leaves. I find total peace as I obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost that come line upon line, precept on precept. It is becoming a sure pattern for me: I receive a prompting, and if I obey, peace follows. I am starting to worry less about what will happen and trust more in my Heavenly Father's love and power. I see His hand working so consistently in my life and I see the way He turns all things for my good. Looking up to Him brings peace. Wondering what is going to happen and how it is going to happen destroys my peace. I know that as we look to Him we can find grace to help us through each day. He is there, ever waiting. He guides us step by step, if we desire Him to, to get us to our happy ending, our Heavenly Home. Happiness and peace can be ours in the meanwhile, if we will but look up. After all, He is the Prince of Peace.