Charity and the Grace of God: The Path to Real Personal Growth

Dear Reader

A year ago, on August 8, I posted a collection of quotes on Facebook. Today, I’d like to revisit those words—not just as quotations, but as truths that have grown roots in my life over the past year.

A Native American proverb says, “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.” Over these twelve months, I’ve become more aware of the quiet trails I’m leaving behind—both in my home and in my community. I’ve had moments of deeper family communication and found joy in preparing meals for those who are homeless. These tracks feel different than those I left in years past—more intentional, more rooted in love.

This change didn’t happen by accident. It has been the fruit of a committed effort to think less about myself and more about the needs of others. As Walk in Dry Places puts it: “When we stop thinking of ourselves as special, we also become more teachable. We learn more from the experiences of others. Then we realize that we’re both special and generic, and we use this knowledge for self-improvement rather than self-destruction.”

Charity, to me, is more than kindness—it’s an active expression of the love of Christ. That perspective has brought me to Confucius’s wisdom: “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”

I’ve found that learning this kind of truth can be uncomfortable. Jill S. Alexander captures it perfectly: “You’re never alone, and God made everyone unique with different gifts. Now that’s not to say it doesn’t sting a little when someone points yours out.” Sometimes growth comes with a sting, but that’s often where grace begins its work.

Ultimately, the deepest lesson I’ve learned is that real growth comes through the charity and grace of Jesus Christ. In His own words: “The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing” (John 5:19). If even the Savior lived in complete harmony with the Father’s will, then my path to growth is clear—follow His example.

The Book of Mormon offers the same call. Alma counseled his son: “Do not endeavor to excuse yourself… but let the justice of God, and His mercy, and His longsuffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility” (Alma 42:30).

And Ammon’s words remind me of our shared calling: “I am a man… created after the image of God, and I am called by His Holy Spirit to teach… that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true” (Alma 18:34).

I testify that when we follow the direction of Jesus Christ—when charity and grace guide our steps—we will be led into real personal growth. And the tracks we leave will be ones that point others toward Him.

Amen.