What is a testimony? I looked it up because I questioned myself on whether or not I actually know. I have summarized it like this: A declaration of truth.
That led me to consider what "truth" is. I have summarized it like this: Light. Unchanging. Forever. It is the knowledge of what is. Anyone can know what "truth" is for themselves. It can and will be confirmed to you personally through peace spoken to your heart by the comforting Spirit of Christ.
Much like my mother and my siblings- I find peace and light through music.
I would like to share some lyrics from; "Oceans- Where Feet May Fail". My friend sent me this song during a particularly dark time in my life. And despite the seemingly never-ending dark and heavy weight I felt- this song managed to shine light and testify to me of truth. I will share lyrics and insert my thoughts in:
"You call me out upon the waters- the great unknown where feet may fail. (He called me to this life during this specific time. Life is filled with "unknowns" and I may lose sight of His plan- my "feet may fail".) And there I find You in the mystery-In oceans deep my faith will stand. And I will call upon Your Name. And keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace. For I am Yours and You are mine.(I often visualize Peter in this moment. Christ called Him out to the waves- even in a storm. He asked Peter to trust Him. And Peter did the best He could to keep His eyes up. But eventually the waves grew and Peter called out to Christ to help him. And Peter was saved by Christ- held in His embrace. I want to do what I can to walk into the arms of the Savior. But sometimes the waves of life seem so big. The storms seem to be raging in my life. I have stumbled and I will stumble again. I'm human. I'm imperfect. And despite that? He calls me to Him. To follow Him. To trust Him. He offers peace, hope, love, and forgiveness. He holds out His arms to me personally.) Your sovereign hand will be my guide...You've never failed and You won't start now...". (God is in the details. I believe that. He is in the beauty around us. God is good. He has blessed us with "choice". We can choose how to navigate ourselves and our lives. It is never forced upon us. Following Him means letting Him guide your way to what He has to offer. And what He has to offer is more than we can imagine. What He has to offer is eternal peace, joy, love, happiness. If that is what you seek? He won't fail you or lead you astray.
"Rescue" by Lauren Daigle: "You are not hidden. There's never been a moment you were forgotten. You are not hopeless. Though you have been broken, your innocence stolen. (This pretty much speaks for itself. Hearing these words brings me peace. Our Father and Heaven is aware of each and everyone of us. We have never been and never will be "forgotten". No matter how lonely, crazy, or hard this life may be. No matter how broken we feel.)...I will send out an army to find you in the middle of the darkest night, it's true, I will rescue you. (This makes me think of the Good Shepherd going out to find that one. Everyone is important to Him). There is no distance that cannot be covered over and over (Our Savior has suffered individually for each of us. With that comes the blessing of starting over. Trying. Again and again. His Atonement covers everything-every distance- no matter "how far" we think we've gone.) You're not defenseless. I'll be your shelter, I'll be your armor...". (Although I often feel alone and maybe even unprotected in this world...He has offered protection in and through Him.)
I have come to know for myself personally- and honestly, sometimes I feel as though I have to relearn and come to know again who I am and whose I am. I am a daughter of Heavenly Father. Every single person on Earth is sons and daughters of Him. I am important to Him. His love is eternal. And His love is personal- individual. That reminds me of a quote I wrote down a week or so again that said something like; "He loves us where we are. And He loves us too much to let us stay that way". I believe through Him we can change. We can improve. We can find peace, hope, love, forgiveness and light. It is because of Him that we aren't bound by our weaknesses. It is because of Him we can.