Because He Knows Me

I believe I have recently learned a profound truth. It has only been two days since I heard of it, but during the less than 48 hours I have had to ponder these things, I have felt it settle into my heart.

Let me explain.

We went to Detroit two nights ago with some friends. On the drive back we were discussing the Savior and His love for us. Now, I know and have known for some time that Jesus Christ loves me and knows me as an individual. I am grateful for this knowledge and I pray that I can help others to come to understand it as well. But this discussion in the car truly felt like a light bulb turning on in my head and my heart.

The brother who was driving the car mentioned that he has heard the phrase: "A true friend is someone who knows you and still likes you anyway." He then went on to say that he always viewed the Savior's love to be the same, that he loves us even though we have our shortcomings and make mistakes. But through serving in different capacities within the church he has come to understand that the Savior loves us even better because He knows us.

As I thought about this, I reflected upon some of my opportunities to serve in the church. Currently I am teaching the 7/8 year olds in Sunday school. It is a wonderful age to work with and I truly enjoy my calling. These four little people are complex and dynamic. They have incredible wit and are extremely clever. Their personalities are so vastly different and yet I love them all in the same way. I love them even better because I know them.

Do my lessons go perfectly every week? No. Do the children always listen and respond appropriately? Definitely not. Do they ever interrupt my lesson with a joke or a complaint about the kid sitting next to them? Absolutely. But I love them all the more because of it. It is these little idiosyncracies that make them unique and individual.

I make mistakes all the time. There are many things in my life that I could be doing better, but because Jesus Christ knows me even better than I know myself, He loves me perfectly. Because he knows my heart He knows how to love me.

It is the same for you. Because He knows you He loves you.