“I want to bear testimony that whatever you are facing, He [Jesus Christ] knows how to help, bless and strengthen you,” said Kimberly Jenkins, as she delivered Tuesday’s devotional address in the Marriott Center.
Jenkins, the communications director for the College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences at BYU, focused her remarks on finding peace and purpose amidst the challenges and burdens of life. She emphasized that through her most trying times, God has been a catalyst in turning her trials into triumphs.
“When life is so busy, demanding and overwhelming, how can we find peace and purpose?” Jenkins asked. “How do we see God in our lives even in the darkest moments?”
She shared a particularly personal experience of when she was swept into darkness but eventually found hope and purpose again. She had struggled with infertility for nearly a decade before she finally got pregnant, to her and her husband's delight.
At 12 weeks she and her husband received the devastating news that she had miscarried. Additionally, the doctors discovered growing tumors which required immediate surgery.
The surgery was successful; however, the road to recovery would require chemotherapy in the months to follow.
“The worst part was that I started to get really discouraged. This was the real poison in my life,” Jenkins said. “I was praying, but I still felt lost.”
Jenkins planned to accompany a BYU study abroad trip to American Samoa before the news of her illness and although her doctors didn’t advise it, she felt prompted to go. She thought that if she could turn outwards maybe her heart would change even though it would take a toll on her physically.
She did find opportunities to serve and look outward. And that trip changed everything.
“Through serving, I finally received the perspective I needed to begin healing and stop feeling so lost. As I did everything I could to bring light into my life, the Savior multiplied that light,” Jenkins recalled.
Throughout this journey, Jenkins learned how to better serve others, how to recognize miracles and how they often take work and patience.
“Pay attention to the miracles in your life. We are all blessed with miracles. God is constantly telling us that we can do this,” Jenkins said.
The opportunity to go and serve the people of American Samoa was a miracle for Jenkins, allowing her heart to soften and her perspective to grow.
“When you feel overwhelmed when looking at the challenges in our world, look to God and those around you who might need your help. God will help you find ways you can contribute and do good,” Jenkins encouraged.
“I promise every single one of you, no matter your situation, the Lord can provide a way for His light to fill your lives. You are enough, and He will help you,” Jenkins concluded.
