100%

Today in Church a brother gave a talk and shared a quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. It was something like this:

"Most of the good done in the world is done by people who are not functioning at 100%"

This brings to my remembrance and experience I had at stake conference about a year ago. A sister gave a beautiful talk. She had a very significant lisp and other speech impediments. And it didn't mater. Her testimony of Christ, the radiance in her countenance, her insight about applications of faith - they were powerful and inspiring. Her speech impediment didn't matter. It didn't matter at all.

We are not required to be 100% in order to serve. In fact, we are expected to serve while we are not 100%. I may never be 100% okay in this life. I'm often sad, anxious, or scared for no visible reason. It is frustrating. It makes me want to wait to serve so I can actually do what I know I can do on a "normal" day.

It seems the older I get the "normal" days are becoming less normal and more of an exception. I can't wait to be 100% to serve. And Heavenly Father is happy with what I can do. I don't need to hide. I have been able to hide my disorders while serving - either by pushing through until I'm drained, or hiding from responsibility until I feel I can put on my perfect face. But maybe I will be like the inspiring sister from last year's stake conference. As more stress makes my anxiety more apparent, I may not be able to hide it. But it doesn't matter. It won't change the truth or beauty of serving and testifying of Christ.

I can be brave. For Christ. With Christ.