But I was still nervous. ⁣

It was my first time going into a real elementary school classroom as an assistant while I was earning my teaching degree. ⁣

Everyone kept saying that we should just jump in and help but… I still didn’t know what to do. ⁣

I spent way too long standing at the back of classrooms afraid that I would mess something up. ⁣

Years later, as I stood in front of 35 sixth graders and an assistant walked in to help me, it did not even cross my mind that my helper would “mess everything up”. ⁣

I just desperately needed help and was happy someone was there!

The Lord told Joseph, as Joseph was concerned about procuring the proper materials for the sacrament:⁣

“It mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, ⁣

“if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.” D&C 27:2⁣

In other words, stop worrying about all those details. ⁣

Stop worrying about not understanding every aspect of that new calling you just received. ⁣

Stop worrying about that new position at work. ⁣

Stop worrying about getting all of the parenting techniques right. ⁣

And just get your heart in the right place. ⁣

That’s what the Lord wants when we take the sacrament, more than anything else. ⁣

Are we focused on Him?⁣

Then the details will work themselves out. ⁣

Then the details of that calling, that job promotion, and that tough parenting situation will work themselves out. ⁣

That doesn’t mean, of course, that we throw the details out of the window. We don’t use candy and soda for the sacrament every week for a good reason. ⁣

But when we let go of trying to get every single detail right, and instead focus on turning our hearts and desires to what matters the most…⁣

That’s when our hearts start to change.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Nervous teaching assistant  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

“If the problem can be solved, there is no use worrying about it;

“If it can’t be solved, worrying will do no good.”

I’ve always resonated with this idea that I don’t want to waste any of my personal peace worrying about things that are outside of my control.

But anytime I share this quote, someone always says:

“Yeah Cali, that’s great. But you can still DO things to change outcomes or influence decisions.”

And I’m 100% on board with that, too!

I think we can do both.

We can do absolutely everything that we can to solve problems or enact change.

AND we can be at peace with the things we cannot control.

And I think this beautiful scripture sums it all up:

“Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” D&C 123:17

Just this week, I hit what seemed like a pretty major roadblock due to the decision of someone else, completely out of my control.

I was trying to figure out whether to lean into my inner calm, be at peace with the decision, and move on…

Or if I could resolutely, but cheerfully, problem solve ways around the issue.

It was a matter of prayer and a lot of discussion with other trusted confidants.

And I felt the nudge to get creative and try to make it work, still.

But either way, I knew I could feel peace no matter the outcome!

What a beautiful promise that we can find in Christ!

He wants us to act! He wants us to do everything that is in our control. He wants us to take that class, to send that email, to have that difficult discussion, to make a dramatic change.

And He wants us to do this CHEERFULLY.

Not so that we can fake it and look like nice people who are happy all the time.

But so that we can realize that we can still feel cheer and joy and peace while also standing our ground or setting boundaries.

It really is possible!

And then, we can stand still. We can trust that the arm of God will be revealed.

And we can believe that all things will work for our good.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Cheerfully do all things first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Am I doing enough?

Where is my standing with God?

I think about these questions a lot.

Actually, I think about them a little bit less now than I used to. But they are still there.

When I look around at a messy home and a kid climbs on top of me even when I’ve asked them not to and my to-do list is longer than ever, I wonder if I’m doing well enough.

But something else I’ve noticed about these moments?

I’m in self-pity.

And I’m NOT listening to the Spirit.

I’m thinking of all the ways that I’m falling short.

And I’m not trying to connect with the Divine, show gratitude, love, and grow.

On the flip side, those moments when I’m really in tune with the Spirit…

When I’m feeling love and prompting and clarity and guidance…

I KNOW that I’m enough.

I know that where my heart is matters most, and that it is in a good place.

I know that I will keep needing my Savior.

So sometimes I need to hear:

“Let your soul be at rest concerning your spiritual standing, and resist no more my voice.” D&C 108:2

When I am resisting the Spirit, when I think I know more about my value and worth than He does, then I feel tied down and heavy.

And when I allow myself to be comforted by that still small voice, then I feel confidence and peace.

Let your soul be at rest.

Stop resisting the comforting voice of the Spirit.

You are doing just great.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Am I good enough? first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

If the problem can be solved, there is no use worrying about it.

If it can’t be solved, worrying will do no good.

We had this phrase everywhere in our house growing up, and I remember a copy of it always being on our fridge.

I have thought about this quote a lot.

To me, it’s the most beautiful and practical way to say, “Don’t worry”.

If the problem can be solved, get to work and do what you can.

And then give the rest to God.

And if it can’t be solved?

Give it all to God anyway, too.

I’ve been grateful for the peace and perspective this saying has brought into my heart.

When I couldn’t find a job right out of college.

When we bought a house.

When my little baby boy received an unexpected diagnosis.

My mind wanted to go into full-on panic mode. But I was able to pretty quickly turn to prayer and get rid of that worry for the unknowns of the future.

I’ll humbly but candidly admit that this is an area that has proved easier for me.

In a world filled with anxiety about the never ending problems of tomorrow, I’ve been able to find peace today and give the rest to God.

Not giving up my pursuits to solve what I can, but also not letting them overgrow my life.

And I think that’s what the Lord would want, too. To have a little less worry and a lot more faith and trust.

In D&C 84:84, the Lord advised the saints, especially those heading out on missions with no living arrangements, mission president, or even established congregations:

“Therefore, let the morrow take thought for the things of itself.”

Tomorrow, we will handle the things that need to be handled tomorrow.

Plan what you can, prepare what you can, problem-solve however you can, and then give the rest to God.

Because either way, worrying will do no good.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Worrying will do no good first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.