Because I am such a child, I enjoy movies that were made targeting toddlers and young children. My nephew, Seth, who undoubtedly is the most adorable thing on the planet (sorry if you're finding out he's cuter than any of your nephews this way...) is obsessed with the Disney/Pixar film, Cars. Oh, how this little boy LOVES Cars. We have watched that movie over and over and over again. While Seth enjoys the tooting tractors, one of my favorite parts is when Lightning McQueen comes in to his sponsor's tent with all those rusty cars. There is one truck who is rusty from top to bottom and has a licence plate on the front bumper reading "FRED". As Lightning walks in, he is being praised by the rusty cars for his talent and performance that evening in a big race. Fred steps up and proclaims Lightning as his hero. Lightning notices the licence plate and replies by thanking Fred by name. Completely stunned and obviously not making the connection, Fred exclaims, "He knows my name! He knows my name! Later in the movie, almost the very end, Fred tries to get into another big race without a ticket. But, he's not worried, he tells the man at the gate, "It's okay! Lightning McQueen knows me!" His excitement that he is known (or was at least for about 5 seconds) by one of the most famous race cars is his time is priceless. He is upbeat, full of energy, and wants to let everyone know.
Relating movies to the gospel has always helped me put things into perspective and understand different angles of church doctrine. As I've tried to expand and build upon my testimony through the years, there is one principle that the Lord always seems to remind me of and help me renew my sure knowledge of; that He is so constantly aware of me and that He loves me. Or as Fred would put things, He knows me, God knows my name.
He Knows Our Name
This isn't anything new. God has always loved and known His children. In fact, the very first recorded words of the Father in The Book of Mormon are to His son, Lehi. He calls him by name and praises him, "Blessed art thou, Lehi....thou hast been faithful.." Isn't that interesting? The VERY FIRST words recorded in The Book of Mormon from our Heavenly Father stand as a testimony that He knows us personally, He knows what we are striving to do and become, and He is proud of us.
Have you ever seen someone from a previous occasion years later only to recognize their face but were unable to find their name? Maybe they walked up to you and reminded you of old memories that you had perfect recollection of, but still no name came to your mind. I've had this experience several times, my darn mortal brain isn't great at retaining information. (<<My high school report card is evidence of that). I was at a tennis tournament in Logan waiting for my match to start and had worked my way around watching other matches when all of a sudden, a girl about my age ran up to me, "KRISSY! How are you!?" I felt SO bad. I knew she looked familiar, but I had ZERO idea who she was. She was so nice and asked how I'd been playing in the tournament and even asked if I knew where I'd be playing college tennis yet. I couldn't believe it, I obviously knew this girl pretty darn good at one point, she seemed to have some pretty good information on me! I tried so hard to remember, but really couldn't find anything that sounded remotely familiar about this girl. After a short exchange, she hugged me, wished me luck and was on her way. I was relieved when she finally left because I was running out of small talk, but I felt terrible that she seemed to know me so well and that I had no memory of her whatsoever, not even her name.
In the most time-stopping event in this dispensation, a young boy knelt down to pray. He was seeking truth and answers and decided to pray and ask God Himself which church was His. After a few moments, the clouds parted and a pillar of light rested on young Joseph. He looked up to see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I don't know for sure, but I like to think that though he was in complete awe of their beauty and perfection, he was probably moved more than anything by the words he heard next; "Joseph. This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him." God KNEW who it was kneeling in the grove seeking answers. He knew Joseph was a good boy who was ready to receive such powerful insight and answers. God knew him, and He knew his name.
When we receive a priesthood blessing, the priesthood holder seeks to follow the Spirit and give a blessing as he directs. If performed humbly, worthily and by the Spirit, the blessing in essence becomes words from our Heavenly Father catered to the needs of His children. The blessing starts by stating the individuals full name, reiterating that we do not simply fall into a large population of mortals on the Earth. But that God knows us as one of His unique children and intends to bless us individually, uniquely, and according to our needs and the life He has planned for us.
He Knows Us
I'm not sure how, but somehow our Heavenly Father knows us all beyond our comprehension. He knows our likes, our dislikes, our strange little quirks. He knows if we are shy or bold, if we are goofy or serious. He knows I am deathly afraid of clowns and that I love Panda Express. He knows I am not a great test-taker and that I struggle with Math. He knows I like to be silly and act about ten years younger than I actually am. He knows that I can be bold and say things I probably shouldn't. He knows that I have burning passion to gain an education and strengthen marriages and families. He knows that I am impatient and that I don't always like to wait. He knows I am trying. He knows I am not perfect, but that I am trying so hard to make Him proud of me. Above all, He knows what I can become. All of this information He knows about each and every one of us has come through consistent time spent near us. He knows I am not great with Math because He has been called upon to render help and aid in almost every exam I've ever been given. He knows I am impatient because He sat with me day after day as I tried to learn Spanish on my mission for months. He knows I am trying because I frequently ask for His help and He is instantly there and blessing me. He's gone to such efforts to get to know me better and watch me change. He knows who I need in my life and who will help me get back to Him. He sends seen and unseen angels daily to tell me what I need to hear and teach me what I need to learn. Even if I were to never contact Him through prayer again, He would know exactly what I need and the condition of my heart.
There have been times in my life where I have felt like I wasn't worth Him getting to know. I felt like one of Fred's friends, just a rusty old car with not a whole lot to offer God and His kingdom. I think there come times in all of our lives when Satan gets us to question our divinity and self worth. He's a trickster, that one. Unlike Fred, sometimes I find myself hiding to the side, trying to cover up all my rust and trying to go unseen. Because in comparison to Lightning McQueen, what's a rusty old car?
High School can be hard. There isn't as much compassion as there should be, students try to steal each other's thunder, bodies are changing, awkward phases are still continuing, and through all of that we are supposed to get good grades that will send us to college. It can be hard. It was really hard for me. I made some mistakes and had a bit more rust than your average student. I didn't feel like I had worth unless I had some boy's attention or if I had been asked to the most recent dance. One night I remember really struggling. I didn't have a consistent group of friends that I could really lean on, I had made a lot of mistakes, people didn't like me, and I just wasn't happy. I was angry that I wasn't well-liked or that people wouldn't give me a second chance. I was jealous of other girls and the boys that liked them or the talents they possessed. I felt I was the only loser having a tough time in High School. (<<Riiiiggghhhtttt.) I didn't feel loved and I certainly didn't feel like I fit in. As I laid crying into my pillow, (SO dramatic) I had a distinct impression to pull out and read my Patriarchal Blessing I had received a few months prior. I started to read and nothing really stood out. Not until the very last line. "Your Father in Heaven wants you to know how much He loves you." It was such a simple phrase. Something I heard in Primary songs and Young Women's lessons all my life. But for some reason, that night it just hit me strong that He was so aware of what I was feeling and that He struggled right there with me. I knew He knew me.
"Compared to God, man is nothing. Yet to God, we are everything." Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Because He knows and loves us all so deeply, He knows exactly what we need, what will help us grow, and what will really push us to our limits. Sometimes when those moments of pushing and growing come, we think, "Where is God now!? Why isn't He helping me through this trial?" We forget that He is usually the one giving us those mountains to climb in the first place and that's He's always been present. If we went to the extent of getting to know Him as much as He has gotten to know us, we could never possibly allow ourselves to think that He has left us to struggle on our own or forgotten us. I try to imagine what He does on a daily basis to keep an eye on me and bless me so much. I imagine He and countless angels in a large control room, all with headsets and their eyes towards a large screen playing out my life live. I imagine him at the top desk and the second I stand in need of something He yells, "Did you all hear that? Angel Leah, get down there! Krissy needs comfort!" Moments later, "Did you hear that? Krissy needs help remembering I love her! George, get down there and help her find her Patriarchal Blessing! Let's go, let's go!" Now. Obviously, it's probably not exactly like that. But it amazes me how He just knows exactly who to send and what to have them say right when I need to hear it. It is precise and exact every time. He has a perfect track record and I will always be grateful for His personalized tender mercies.
Don't Forget Him, Don't Forget His Name
“Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you. God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God love encompasses us completely. He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked. What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Did you hear that? He loves us despite all the rust we've got all over. He sees much deeper that the outward appearance. Making an effort to get to know the qualities and personality of my Heavenly Father has brought me so much closer to Him and helped me understand His will on a much deeper level.
Joseph Smith taught the following:
"There are three things that are necessary in order for a person to draw down into his life this power that we call faith. First, the idea that (God) actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will." (Lectures on Faith)
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