A Moore Kingly Life

Haven for the Heart

Well friends, here you have it. This is the culmination of many sleepless nights, hours on my knees, and the final resignation of my will to the Lord. I’ve been feeling like Heavenly Father needs me to tell my story – that there have been things that I’ve gone through that were meant for a purpose far greater than myself, that there is someone out there who needs to hear it.

I have become increasingly aware of the fact that we need each other. We cannot get through our challenges of this day by ourselves. We weren’t meant to! We NEED the support and love and laughs from those around us! And we need Him.

I think that one of the reasons I’ve been so hesitant to start a blog is because I don’t want to write about ME.

There’s nothing incredible about Madi Moore, or her life, you see. Although I’ve had my challenges, none of them are unique to me; Who am I to share my struggles, when I’m still struggling? Who am I to share what I’ve learned, when surely there are others more talented in writing, with far greater perspective, and confidence in what they are sharing? Plus, this is SCARY! You must know, dear reader, that I am terrified. You see, in the coming posts, I will proceed to be more open and honest than I have ever been in my entire life. I am not particularly accustomed to talking about hard things. Vulnerability is not a feeling I would normally jump at the chance to experience. But I have been discovering that one of the tragic ironies of this life is that so many people feel isolated from each other by the very feelings and emotions that they actually have in common.

I’ve been quite humbled the past several weeks as I’ve felt very strongly that the things I have experienced have been for a purpose FAR greater than myself. This is NOT about me, and it’s NOT about now. It never has been. I have experienced what I have gone through so that I am in a better position to relate to and serve those around me. There’s someone out there that needs to hear my story. Of this I am certain. Our stories are meant to be shared.

It has become quite clear to me in moments of quiet contemplation and solitude that I want to write about Him. My Savior. The Source of true peace and complete joy. So although I will be sharing deeply personal experiences and feelings, my focus will be on Him, and how He has helped me.

My one greatest desire…of all the dreams and even bucket-list items (that literally FILL a standard school notebook)…is to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ. To become His. His eyes. His words. His thoughts. His actions. His disciple. With my whole heart. Forever. No matter where I am, or what my circumstance.

It is here that I will share my story, my challenges, the lessons I’ve learned (am still learning!), and my heart. Please understand that I have a lot of “fixing” to do myself. I have a lot of “messes” in my crazy brain. I do not have a perfect testimony; I have a lot of questions. I don’t know WHY everything happens, or where all trials originate for that matter. But here’s what I currently believe – even if there are times when I can no more than desire to believe it. Every trial we experience, every hardship we go through, presents us an opportunity to become more like Father. More like Christ. I KNOW He lives. I cannot and will not ever deny it. We are literal children of our Heavenly Father. I have come to realize that life is far more primary than Sunday school; the simplest gospel principles are the most profound. I mean, seriously. If you TRULY knew and understood that YOU are a child of God, how would that change who you are? How would it change your actions, thoughts, aspirations, dreams? Or how you view, treat, and think about EVERYONE around you? I am striving to continue to learn what it truly means to be His child. Because I know it will change me. I have most recently been a teacher to nine 4-year olds in Primary, and it has been life changing. I’m quite confident that no one benefitted more from the simple lessons taught each week than I did, especially right after my car accident (More on this story later).

Our mission is to come to truly know, testify, and live the simplest truths of the Gospel. To remember who we were before the world told us who we should be. To REMEMBER. There are many, many things I am having trouble remembering due to my accident. But I have quickly come to realize (over and over, might I add – Heavenly Father is SO patient with me!) that the most important things I could remember – now and forever – are the most fundamental aspects of the Gospel! THESE TRUTHS CHANGE EVERYTHING. We didn’t come here to earn our worth, love, belonging, or joy (though the world is becoming increasingly proficient in teaching us to believe otherwise). We brought our worth WITH us! Our mission is to become reacquainted (for we knew Him quite well!) with our Father in Heaven, and by so doing, come to truly see and understand who we are…WHOSE we are…and who we can become.

My hope is that this blog can be a safe haven for someone; a sanctuary for those who feel alone, broken, empty, or distressed. Perhaps you need a good cry, or maybe a good laugh. I hope to speak to your heart – and perhaps help soften those that are hard, ease the exhausted, and give a bit of hope for those filled with pain. Your heart is welcome, and safe here. No matter the condition. You can be real here. You have come to a safe place.

My hope is that we will learn from each other, and grow closer together. As one.

Through Him.

-Madison Elizabeth