The Parable of the Beanie

So, first off let me start with a story from Thursday night: we had dinner with this family in one of our wards that are super nice. They have two little birds that were chirping happily, sitting in their cages. I wanted to go over and pet one through the cage, but of course I didn't want to get my finger ripped apart by demon birds, so I asked if they were friendly. The next thing I know the little girl has opened the cage and the birds are flying directly at me. Luckily they were friendly, and although one did nibble on my face, he was not trying to eat me but was just expressing affection. It did freak me out a little to have the birds flapping around my hear, at first. But then I realized they weren't going to hurt me or anything so it was just good fun.

 I feel like we do that a lot as people. We get freaked out and shield ourselves from things, but then really those things that we are shielding ourselves are really something amazing. We spend way too much time living in fear. We need to just trust in God knowing that things are going to be amazing. He loves each of us, He gives us experiences that might seem scary, but really they're there to help us grow. We shouldn't be afraid of change because change is amazing, it's what allows us to be more like our Savior and ultimately happier.

So, there is this street in Herriman that we walk down pretty often because it's more of a main road that connects some different areas together. Since the very first time I walked down that street in March there has been this beanie sitting there in the gutter. Over time it's gotten a bit dirtier and more beat up. This week as we walked down the street I saw it again and it hit me in a new way. 

Since March it has gone through a a lot. It has seen snow, wind, rain, many cars, and yet it's still there, pretty intact. It's true that it is now now nearly as vibrantly colored as it used to be, and it's got stuff on it, but it's still in the same general spot, still the same beanie. It made me think of all the people that we pass every day in life. They're going through all sorts of trials. They experience heartache, rejection, betrayal, all kinds of things that we don't see happening. But we can see the marks they leave behind. We don't always recognize them for what they are, but we see the change that comes over people.

All this hat is waiting for is for someone to see it's potential. If someone picked up this beanie and cleaned it up, it would still probably be a pretty nice beanie, that would bring warmth and comfort to the wearer. It might not look like much but it does have potential. People are the same. Sometimes they don't look like much but all anyone is really waiting for is someone to recognize their potential, love them, and help them clean up their lives.

This is what the gospel is for. The gospel of Jesus Christ helps all of us see our own potential which is great. We have the potential to become as perfect as Him through His Atonement. We have the potential to do great things. I know this is true. I know Jesus Christ makes all things possible. I know He loves you.

Have a wonderful week and remember to see the potential of all those around you. You are a child of God and he loves you immensely.

Love,

Sister Judd

Herriman District 2

We got to go to the temple today! This is my district: My companion, Sister MacGregor, Me, Hermana Wilcox and Hermana Paredes, and Elders Northrop, Passey, Richards, and Tyler. It's a pretty great district, I love them and I love serving with them.