Seeing the Lord's Hand in my Life

On Wednesday night, I was in the Taylor Building doing homework. It had been a long day and I had more homework to do than hours to do it in. While trying to focus, I heard a girl sniffling. My first thought was to go see if she was okay but I dismissed it, thinking she probably just had a runny nose or something. The thought kept coming back to go talk to her but I just told myself, I don't have time.

My backpack was out of arms reach so I stood up to get a piece of gum. Somehow, before I knew it, my body was kneeling next to the girl's chair and I was explaining that I had the feeling to come make sure she was okay. The sweet girl started crying harder. I didn't know what to do! I had never done anything like this before.

I asked her if she wanted to talk about it. She told me it was complicated and a long story...and that she needed a hug. (Little did she know she was talking to the world's best hugger!) So I gave her a hug and she started talking. She explained that she felt like there was no hope and how she feels like she doesn't have a handle on anything in her life. As she was talking, I looked up and saw a picture of Joseph Smith's first vision.

Once she had finished talking, I got up to get her more tissues. I felt impressed to share with her my testimony...but I was scared. I didn't know how to begin so I tried to push the thought out. I said goodbye to her but as I was standing up, my knees bent again and I started to tell her I needed to share something with her.

I went on to explain that as she was talking to me, I had looked up and seen the picture of Joseph Smith's first vision. I told her one of my favorite things about that story is that when Joseph is praying, Satan is near, and Joseph feels like he is ready to sink into despair and abandon himself to destruction but, he keeps praying and Christ and the Father appear. I then bore testimony to her that right now, she may feel like there is no hope, and she might be filled with despair. But, if she continues to pray with faith, her prayers will be answered and she will be able to see the hand of God in her life.

I know this to be true. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to share my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, the power of prayer, and the love the Savior has for his each one of His children. The gospel is true. I know this with all my heart. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, that occasionally takes me from my homework, to remind of the real work I have to do.