By Carla Long, Presiding Bishopric

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

A good friend of mine recently moved to a new city. Moving to a new place, even when there is family there, is never easy, and she recognized the need to find a community where she belonged. She did everything right. She found meet-ups online of activities that she was interested in, joined book clubs and hiking clubs, and found good people doing good things.

One day, though, she visited a dog park with her pup. A group of men were sitting around chatting, and she wasn’t too impressed with what they were chatting about. She was, to be honest, a little put off by their conversation, and didn’t engage with them all. The next time she visited the dog park, though, they were there again, and she somehow stumbled into a conversation with them and something remarkable happened. She found they had a lot in common; the earlier conversation she had overheard wasn’t really who they were. She found herself smack dab in the middle of a community she never even saw coming. She now engages with them frequently, both at the dog park and in other outside activities. She looks forward to seeing her surprise community.

Like Timothy in today’s scripture, my friend didn’t allow herself to be ruined by what she heard. She found that she was open enough and vulnerable enough to see this surprise community in a different way and could work past her initial feelings. Doctrine and Covenants 165:1c says, “Opportunities abound in your daily lives if you choose to see them.” My hope and prayer is that we might be more forgiving, more kind, and more understanding of each other so we might be surprised by communities that welcome us, as well.

Prayer Phrase

“…share abundantly in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

From Scarcity to Abundance

Take a deep breath and release your fear of “not enough.” Name one place of scarcity in your life, then name one way you already see abundance. Offer a simple prayer of gratitude: “God, open my eyes to your abundance.”

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.