These are the thoughts I happened upon:
- Sheri Dew is often asked how she, a single woman, can be happy in a family-oriented church. "Frankly," she says, "I don't understand the question." She wonders if they think she would be happier without the church (of course not), and, it "implies that happiness comes only to those whose lives are ideal, which would make, incidentally, a very small group."
- "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just ordinary people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise.... "'Life is like an old-time rail journey -- delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.' " (quoted from Jenkin Lloyd Jones by Gordon B. Hinckley, BYU devotional, Sept. 25, 1973)
- "The way to exaltation is not a freeway featuring unlimited vision, unrestricted speeds, and untested skills. Rather, it is known by many forks and turnings, sharp curves, and controlled speeds. Our driving ability is being put to the test." (Thomas S. Monson)
- "The great test in life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God's commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage." (Henry B. Eyring, Oct 2005 General Conference)
I think almost everyone thinks that "the good life" is a problem-free life of ease and comfort. We have trouble believing otherwise. It is not in our nature to rejoice in adversity or to be grateful for our trials. In this we err.
It seems to me we would be a lot happier as we trek through this vail of tears if we could set our minds straight about this, --if we remembered the big picture of why we're here, and what God is trying to make of us (see C. S. Lewis).
Only then can we find courage and peace for the journey.
"To be untested and unproven is also to be unaware of all that we are." (Neal A. Maxwell)
5 comments:
Hey Mom- I've missed you! It was nice to see a new blog today, especially since I always love what you write! Thanks for sharing!
Welcome back Georgia there's been a blog void without your daily posts. Thanks for this great one today. I have to keep cutting and pasting your thoughts into a word document so that I can review them over and over again. Thanks.
Hooray! A new blog from Mom!
A woman who recently moved into our ward bore her testimony yesterday. She talked about how she felt like her live was very easy and she didn't have most of the trials others seem to have. Then she remembered that less than a year ago she had complications with the birth of her first child that put her into a wheel chair. They weren't sure she would ever walk again. This is a woman who is a personal trainer and makes her living from her body. She has since made a full recovery, but it was very difficult for several months. She said that the only way she got through it was with the help of the Lord and those He sent her way to help her in her time of need. And now, just a few months later, she doesn't even think of her life as having been difficult in any way. I decided to share because I felt like it illustrated your point.
Thanks, all. It's nice to be missed. Blogging is still a time-consuming luxury to me, and when I'm busy or have a project on my mind (sharing time last week), there just aren't enough hours in a day. I sure like it when I have the time. I may not always write, but I am always enriched by reading yours. Thanks!
Another thought from Neal A. Maxwell: "Too many of us seem to expect that life will flow ever smoothly, featuring an unbroken chain of green lights with empty parking places just in front of our destinations."
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