Skip to main content

Prayers for Paris

Someone responded to the #prayforparis by saying this "Friends from around the world, thank you for #prayforparis, but we don't need more religion! Our faith goes to music! Kisses! Life! Champagne and Joy! #parisisaboutlife"

I thought a lot about this. France is a place I am thankful to say I am a little familiar with. I've spent weeks there, have French friends, love the food, know a lot of the artists, seen the cathedrals and artwork and have even grasped a bit of French. I have stayed in Paris for seven days, wondering the streets daily with my little sister and Spanish friend. I am not French, let alone Parisian, but the city still has a place in my heart. 
Religion is not something you turn to when you are weak, rather, it is the only thing that makes you truly strong. I cannot imagine not having a knowledge of the gospel and relationship with God, especially in a life-threatening event. Of course I believe in life and joy and music (and probably kisses, I'll let you know when I have my first one;))...maybe not champagne, but I will substitute that with chocolate or sparkling cider. 
But I also have faith in God. A god that has created this world, created me, blessed me, listened to me, answered me, loves me. 

I don't think of God as an aspect of my life. He is the one who gave me life! And I truly believe that really living life to the fullest comes from knowing what life is about. Knowing your purpose, and knowing what is beyond mortal death. Life is amazing and we are here to experience joy. Pure joy doesn't come from champagne or living a perfectly Parisian life. Heavenly Father (God) loves ALL of us. Individually. Equally. Eternally. Unconditionally. Constantly. Deeply. Fully.

Our culture is a big part of who we are, and God loves uniqueness. He created us all to be that way! But the most important part of who we are, is the eternal part: the reality of us all being sons and daughters of God. That is who we are.
The first time I went to Paris, in 9th grade, and fell in love

Paris is a city that to me, solidifies God's love and existence. I don't think the people would spend hundreds of years, tons of money, resources and labor to build a cathedral if they did not believe in God. The artwork wouldn't exist without divine inspiration. God lives.
I hope that the people of Paris are safe. I hope they turn to prayer, and that they are humbled and that the missionaries there can teach the people about the truth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Comments

  1. JenniferNovember 15, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    Thank you for this testimony, Golda. I was of course heartbroken at the tragedy in Paris, but I was especially sad at the editorial cartoon denouncing the need for religion. I know many people will use the attacks to support that God doesn't exist; after all, they may say, how could a loving God let this happen? I don't fully understand, but I choose to put my faith in Heavenly Father as I continue to pray for the French people to feel an outpouring of love in their recovery ... and that someday they will be able to attribute that peace to Him.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Good News

Senior year is almost three-fourths over. And I know fourth term is just going to fly by! Moonlight, Spring Concert, Prom, AP tests, college enrollments, Graduation! Speaking of college... I got a housing scholarship to UVU!!!! I am so excited and very surprised. I wasn't really expecting it, and when I refreshed my email on my phone, walking back into Dance Company, I jumped for joy!! The scholarship covers 2/3 of the cost for room. I also have a full tuition scholarship. There are 400 students out of the total 30,000 in the Honors program, 150 are Freshman and 36 Freshman get the housing scholarship. So fees, books, about $200 per month for the apartment and food is all I need to pay. Hopefully, the Regents Scholarship will work out and cover most of that stuff! I'm so humbled, grateful, and excited to be starting this new chapter. I think, deep down I've wanted to go to UVU since my first workshop there. Now this kind of gives me the assertion that it's the right...
5 comments
Read more

Why I Am Choosing To Serve A Mission

Although this is very difficult to articulate, dare I even say impossible, I am going to try! I am choosing to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I will serve for eighteen months. I do not choose where I spend those eighteen months, or even in what language I will speak during that time. I will take a break from school, from my dancing and leave my family. It is a sacrifice. It is a sacrifice I am willing to make because I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ lived and died for me so that I can repent, learn to love fully, and become like him. To become better and to learn during my lifetime. I know that he died for every one . I know that he knows each of us, individually, and wants us to be happy. Heavenly Father also loves and knows each of us. He has guided and directed me numerous times, in ways that cannot be explained without fully recognizing His divine hand. The relationships, experiences, trials, and blessings I ...
5 comments
Read more

First day of college

Man, the first day was amazing! I don't have class until 9:30, then I walked over (super easy, short walk) and found my modern class easily. We went over questions and syllabus today so no dancing. I really love the faculty and I'm so glad I got to go to workshops here in high school so I'm a little familiar with the program. Then I had technique 2, and we did one across the floor. The two teachers said "okay, we have some people we want to move up to Tech 3 right now...Golda..." I was so happy! Placement happens throughout the week, but I was so happy to get moved up right away! So now I'm in pointe 3 too. I feel so grateful to be able to dance 9:30 to 2:30 every.day. !!!! I didn't get into my first institute class, so I read all the emails from my missionary friends. Mondays are a whole lot better with those! :) My colloquium class was good, then I met up with my roommate who was hanging out with 2 RMs. We went to play ping pong before another Freshman...
6 comments
Read more