This morning I had a conversation with one of my sisters which proved to be a humbling and learning experience. My writing may not be seen by the masses, but writing was never about popularity for me. It is meant to inspire others (even if few) to acknowledge there is hope in everything and worth in everyone. I'd like to admit that there is nothing selfish about what I have set out to do here, but the truth is that my writing helps me too. I have never considered speaking a strength. Writing is more my strength and it makes it even better when I know it has touched lives, but how often do we focus only on our strengths and forget that we have weaknesses that need improvement? What is it about growing pains that we avoid thinking it is for the better? I had someone once tell me that they didn't pray for patience because it usually meant being stretched outside their limits. Yes, growing physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually is never a thing of comfort, but the lessons learned from them can be a comfort if taken with the right perspective. If I had only one regret, it would be not attempting to do something or giving up on something only because I'm not good at it.
One of my favorite talks by President Dieter Uchtdorf is titled Forget Me Not. He shares:
"I want to tell you something that I hope you will take in the right way: God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect.
Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not.
And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
It’s wonderful that you have strengths.
And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.
God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will...Please remember to be compassionate and patient with yourself."
"Be compassionate and patient with yourself." He doesn't say quit when you have figured out it is not your strength. Good things take work, some more than others, and that is okay. So whether your weakness is not being in great shape, not good with speaking, not good at math, not good at showing affection, or not good at cooking, all these things can be improved with work and dedication. We have the promise that we do not go alone in our journey of improvement, our Lord has declared, "...my grace is sufficient for all...that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).
A great example comes from the life of President Heber J. Grant. President Grant was teased in school for his poor penmanship, which was labeled as sloppy. He dedicated spare time to improving his penmanship, year after year. He was determined to make his weakness a strength. President Grant later became known as "the greatest scribbler on earth." He went on to become a teacher of penmanship and bookkeeping at the University of Utah.
Victories are sweeter when we can look back and see how far we have come. May you keep trying and keep believing; remembering to be patient with your efforts and small steps you make towards making your weaknesses strengths.
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