Luke 12

So, I love movies and especially true-to-life stories. I've never been a Sci-Fi fan because it's just too unrealistic to me to relate to. I just prefer stories that are REAL, no matter happy or sad. I had seen previews months ago for "The Lovely Bones." It was obviously not a true story because the story is completely told by a girl who has died. Yet, I was really impressed with the realism of the story - the possibility that it could all be true.

Suzie is the name of the young girl who narrates and you watch her viewpoint of everything she sees after her death. It's a terribly sad story of her murder, but the artistry and joy expressed in her heaven are renewing and hopeful in the powers of peace. I was captured by this fictional story because I knew the same "missing child" story has happened to many families. Just a few days later I watched a true story on Dateline about a girl in Oregon, Brooke Wilberger, who went missing and years later her family finally found out she was murdered. As the story progressed and I found out the dates - she was taken in May 2004 and had been a BYU Freshman that year. So I was at BYU with her because that was my senior year and she disappeared right after I graduated. I then remembered seeing her disappereance on the news. Following watching that, these stories - one fiction-based the other all-true - became so overwhelmingly real to me. I knew I was at risk, my children and anyone I knew and that fear started to grow. I have always known it's good to be educated in bad things that happen to people to strive to prevent them as much as possible. There is evil and I can't stop it, but I can try my best to not be part of it. That's just the way I've always seen it. I take breaks from serious matters, but these two stories seemed to occupy my thoughts tremendously and of course made me sad to think about these girls and their lives cut short.

Then my little miracle came. I was not sleeping as easily as I normally do thinking and fearing the possiblities so I turned to my scriptures. Just opened up to Luke 12 and there is all I needed to know to bring the wave of peace:

"2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

These six verses of Christ's words took all my fear and worry away. I know I am not free from bad things happening to me or the ones I love. Yet more importantly, I know His words are true and he is there to succor all of our pains, doubts, heartache and sadness because His love is immesurable to us. He never forgets us because His love is so powerful. I have felt it and I am so grateful for His guidance in my life everyday. In this little moment I needed some peace and it came from His words. I know He knows me.