Faith | Like family ties, we are stronger when we connect to God
One of my favorite memories as a child was cuddling up late at night with both of my parents in their giant waterbed. My dad would recount story after story from his childhood.
We held our breath as he told near-death experiences like the time he was wildly bucked off a tractor and nearly run over, or when he dove headfirst into a too-shallow snowdrift.
We giggled as he described trying to escape his birthday spankings only to run soaking wet into an electric fence. He had to use his brand-new pocketknife to cut his also brand-new shirt free, to the dismay of his mother.
We shared in the disappointment he felt on Saint Patrick’s Day, when he finally had a legitimate reason to wear his embarrassingly green, second-hand Levi’s to school, only to fall in the mud that morning while doing chores; requiring him to change beforehand.
Looking back, I understand now why those nights, filled with love and connection, mattered so much.
Science has shown that children who know their family history score higher on measures of self-esteem, emotional well-being, and resilience. Children begin to understand that they are part of something larger than themselves; that sense of belonging provides stability and identity. Hearing how their mom and dad met, or how Uncle Bob broke his arm, creates a connectedness that enhances empathy, morality, and unity.
Kids are more resilient when they know who they are and where they come from. The same is true for all of us. We draw power from understanding our identity and our heritage.
Imagine a world where every person knows that they are a Child of God. That he loves each of us beyond measure, and he has a plan for us. Because he loves us, “He gave his only begotten Son ... that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17). The life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the greatest evidence of God’s love for us!
Knowing that we are cherished children of a Heavenly Father changes everything. We can all walk a little taller, and love a little more generously. We can withstand the trials of this life with the peace that is found when we know not just who we are, but whose we are. It provides eternal perspective to our earthly experiences.
As children of God, we are all part of his divine family. We can find inspiration from those who came before us. Moses remembered how God had delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. (Exodus 15:1-19). Stephen found confidence in his lineage of faith. (Acts 7). Their heritage gave them hope. Ours can too.
Just as we are fortified through our connection with family, we can be fortified when we connect with our Creator.
One way we do this is through prayer. It has been said that prayer becomes natural when we remember our true relationship to God; that he is our father, and we are his children. Reach out to him and you will find him reaching back. He longs to remind us of our divine identity and potential. Embrace this truth!
Understanding our true self provides an anchor to our souls. It has the power to steady us when we feel unsteady and lift us when we feel low or lost. When we know who we truly are, we receive strength beyond our own.
And that is something we all can use.
Guest Spiritual Life writer Beth Douglass is a member in the Pasco Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.