"You're Doing Just Fine"

This is a guest post, written by a beautiful friend of mine. I recently heard her share this story and felt compelled to ask her if she would be willing to share it on my blog. She graciously agreed.

I think it would be great if Elder Perry were able to hear the follow-up to this brief moment he shared with my dear friend, so if any of you actually know Elder Perry (or have less degrees of separation from him than I do), feel free to pass this on to him.


~~~~~~~~~~

Just a few short years ago, I was a total mess. 

Years of physical and emotional abuse
at the hands of members of my familyhad sent me running from them, and my Savior, straight into the arms of a young man who took advantage of my insecurity. 

I hated myself and I hated my family.
So much so, that I attempted to take my own life. 

Satan had me convinced that even my Father in Heaven hated me, and that I was a waste of time and space. 

Around this time, my parents decided that it would be a good idea to go to the Martin Harris pageant. I wasn't at all interested in going, but my protests fell on deaf ears, and they refused to take no for an answer. 

I sat on an uncomfortable metal bench, waiting for the pageant to begin. Busy playing with my cell phone, I barely noticed the buzz making its way through the crowd. I glanced up and saw numerous people jumping to their feet. I was totally confused until I saw a man whom I'd only seen on TV. 

Elder L. Tom Perry...

I slowly stood and watched him make his way to his seat. I then noticed people beginning to line up to meet the towering member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 

Before I knew it, my younger sister asked me to go with her to see him. 

Fear gripped me. 
I did not want to go.
I felt unworthy and ashamed to be in his presence due to my past sexual sins. 

But, again, my parents made it clear that I was to go anyway. 

I stood in line, heart pounding as as I got closer to Elder Perry, this stout man of God. 
The temptation to run was intense, however, my time finally came and I approached him with timid steps. 

He smiled at me and extended his hand. I hesitantly took it and chanced a brief glance at his eyes. I saw and felt an intensity there that I had never experienced before. It was like he could read my very soul. I did not feel judgement or scrutiny as I expected but, instead, I felt an indescribable wave of love envelop me. 

He seemed to sense my hesitation. And so he leaned in a little closer and squeezed my hand a little tighter, and said;

"You're doing just fine." 

My eyes welled up with tears as I smiled my first real smile in months. I felt an immense weight lift from my chest as I posed for a picture with him and my sister. 

I turned to him, with gratitude in my heart, and said, "Thank you so much." 
He smiled and said, "No, thank you. Your Father in Heaven loves you." 

That very moment proved to be a huge turning point in my life. Elder Perry's words helped me find the courage to meet with my bishop and begin working through my sexual sins. I also began to heal from the many years of abuse that I had endured. 

I am so thankful that I was able to meet one of Heavenly Father's most choice servants; that he told me exactly what I needed to hear, in the very moment I needed to hear it. I don't think I would be where, or who, I am today without this experience. 

I know that God has a plan for me.
I know that He loves me.

And, I feel so blessed to have that knowledge.

~ Anonymous ~

Comments

  1. What a beautiful story. I've had the chance to meet President Hinckley and Elder Holland and both had that exact same love emanating from them. I'm so glad you got this opportunity to feel the Savior's love. And thanks, Sidreis, for sharing her story :)

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  2. So amazing! thank you for sharing. LOVE!

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  3. Thank you for sharing this. This is beautiful.

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