The 5 Minute-a-Day Cure for Feeling Lonely

Sometimes even when I'm surrounded with friends and people that I care about, I feel lonely. I think we all do. I think it's part of life. But the fact is that no matter how insignificant and small we are, we're not alone. Our Heavenly Father is always there for us. I love how Elder Scott taught us in General Conference last weekend that holy scriptures can become our friends that are always there for us:

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.… They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar. They are always available when needed. Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost. Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world...How do you personally use the scriptures? Do you mark your copy? Do you put notes in the margin to remember a moment of spiritual guidance or an experience that has taught you a profound lesson? Do you use all of the standard works...?" Elder Richard G. Scott "The Power of Scripture"

If scriptures are the words of God through which Heavenly Father speaks to us, and scriptures can be our friends, then it stands to reason that God is also our friend. How great is it to know that we have a Heavenly Father who knows us, loves us and cares about each of us individually?

The past month I've been struggling to read my scriptures consistenly. I've been frustrated with myself for not doing as well as I'd like to in that area and in other areas in my life. A couple days before conference my wonderful bishop committed me to read 5 minutes a day in the Book of Mormon. 5 minutes a day is totally do-able. I mean, it takes me about 10 minutes to eat breakfast and it's super easy to read while eating. He asked me to mark my calander when I start and to keep track of it. If I miss a day, I should start over. When I reach my year mark of reading consistenly for 5 minutes a day, he said it will be a habit. When I read every day for 25 years, it will be a part of life that I can't go without.

Elder Scott was so inspired to begin general conference with exactly the thing I needed to remember! God is definitely looking out for me!

5 minutes a day is possible to spend with friends.