When I was very small -- the age of 3 or younger -- I lived with my mother and father (a young couple) and my baby sister in the rural Idaho area of Tetonia.  I have almost no memories of this myself, but I love one story that my father told me.

My father would take me -- his baby girl -- to a creek some distance away from the house.  We would go fishing.  Again, although I don't remember, I must have loved these times when I was close to nature, and close to my beloved Daddy, and feeling as if I was of some help to him.

One day, my father was working outside.  My mother came out to him and said, "Where is Annie*?

Dad said, "I don't know. I haven't seen her.  Isn't she in the house?"

Then, fear and realization came over my mother's countenance.  My dad told the story this way:  "I have never seen anyone move as fast as your mother was running."

My mother ran to the creek and, sure enough, there I was, up to my ankles in, thankfully, a shallow area.  I was blissfully "fishing"!

My desire was pure and holy.  But, being a very small child, I didn't and couldn't understand the principles and forces of the creek, therefore I was in danger.  I had wandered away from the safety of home; I was outside of where I was meant to be.

This story that my father told me has always been the foundation of my testimony in my Savior, Jesus Christ.  My earthly mother ran as fast as she could to find me and rescue me -- she gave everything she had at that moment -- to save the life of her daughter (me).

Since I knew my earthly mother would do that for me, I have come to realize that I can trust that my Savior is also looking for me, at full speed.  He is always trying to find me, if I ever wander away from the gathering of his wings, and he comes to save my life.  "Annie!  There you are!"

I belong to my Savior.  I don't belong to Him on the basis of how 'good' I am -- because I am not good.  I cannot obey the law.  But I have become aware that Jesus knows me, and He keeps tabs on me, and He gives me gifts, and He speaks to me.  He keeps me safe and happy to the best of His ability -- occasionally when I run off to some creek -- "Where did she go now??" and then He starts running.

3 Nephi 9:13-22  "O all ye that are spared . . . will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? . . . if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.  Behold, my arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive . . . I am Jesus Christ the Son of God . . . And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons [and daughters] of God . . . by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled . . . I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.  Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God.  Behold, for such have I laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."

Isaiah 49:15-16 "Yet will I not forget thee.  Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me . . . (v22) thy daughters shall be carried upon [my] shoulders."

*(Annie is not my real name.)

Tags: Jesus Christ Redemption Atonement Love

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