Everyone has had zits. Picture this, junior high school aka hell. You wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, and there it is. The circus has come to town and decided to plop right on your forehead. Or nose. Or cheek. You think of all the things you can do to cover it up, to hide it. As you go through the day, all you feel is that everyone, including your teachers are staring at your zit. You want to scream, "HEY! I have a face! Eyes, nose, mouth, chin, cheeks, all the normal things! Stop looking at my zit!" Then somebody has the gall to come up to you and tell you how great you look today. You can't tell if they are either really that stupid or just that mean.
Sometimes I feel like this phenomenon happens with any weakness we may be struggling with, or that we have struggled with in the past. It definitely has been a problem for me in my life.
Here is where this analogy gets really cool for me. I used to LOVE Saved by the Bell. I had the biggest crush on Kelly Kapowski, and literally cried the other day when Jimmy Fallon brought everyone back for a reunion. One memorable episode is when Kelly gets a zit from some cream that Zack and Screech sell her. Of course, it is the same time that Homecoming Royalty elections are happening. She is furious with Zack. She even has dreams that she is walking the halls of Bayside with a great big clown nose. But, as Zack is a pro at getting out of trouble, he paints her face maroon and she is voted Homecoming Queen for being the girl with the most Bayside spirit.
In my life, I have been the Kelly Kapowski, even as recently as this week. I often feel like my zits will be in my way, and hold me back. That there is no way anyone would ever see me for anything more than my weaknesses, my character flaws. But, with the Atonement of Jesus Christ and friends here on earth, we can turn those weaknesses into strengths (See Ether 12:27). Our zits will go away, and we will have the clear complexion. Satan tries to get us to focus on our zits, and make them the big picture. They are just little things. A small part of who we are, and we are wonderful. It is difficult to ask for help, but there are many Zack Morris's out there who will help us paint our faces maroon and come out on top.
So, thank you to those of you who have helped me/are helping me through my rough days. Hopefully I can return the favor.
