Trials

Dear Mother,

I am not sure which topic to chose this week as they all need my immediate attention.

This has been a topic of conversation among so many in recent months with the economy slowly dying away.

One night, I was laying in bed and couldn’t sleep, John was working. I grabbed my book off the night stand, read the chapter headings, and saw an interesting pattern of talks. The book is “To Draw Closer to God”, the chapters read in order 7 Trials of Faith, 8 Waiting on the Lord, and 9 Surrender to Christ. I wondered if there was a specific reason for listing those in that order and then I began to read.

The first thing I highlighted was , “Trials will continue to come.” The next thing I highlighted was, “The thing you need to understand is that the escape will almost never be out of the trial; it will usually be through it.”

I went on to the next chapter, Waiting on the Lord. Pres. Eyring shares this scripture in regards to waiting. Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

And the last chapter I read, Surrendering to Christ. “Make sure you don’t focus too much on yourself or your personal problems and struggles. Instead of thinking of yourself primarily as someone who is seeking purification, think of yourself as someone who is trying to find out who around you needs your help. Pray that way and then reach out. When you act under such inspiration, it will have a sanctifying effect on you. Now if you do these things something wonderful will happen. The Lord will try you, but if you’ll work a little bit and show him that you’re willing to try, he will bless you and give you more strength and understanding.”

Do you see how this all goes together? It all goes together in my brain, I just hope blog has it all outlined and right.

I have trials. I have some out there in front for all to watch and some are very personal and internal, no one sees them but me.

I am grateful to my Father in Heaven for my children who are an instant reminder that it isn’t all about me. Motherhood and being a wife is the greatest calling I have. What I learn from these moments in my life will be the greatest blessing to me.

The most recent trial I think we have been faced with as a family is a shift in job structure. This is never an easy transition I am sure. In the beginning, there was this panic and freak out, but we committed ourselves to a pattern of obedience as a safety net through the tough times we knew were ahead. It hasn’t been all roses but we knew we weren’t alone and that the Lord was always there listening, and inviting us to continue being obedient, and strengthening us along the way.

I have no doubt that my life has been extremely blessed over the last few years. I know that there has been numerous opportunities for us to serve. I know the Lord gave us gentle nudges to forget about ourselves and serve others around us. I also know we have been strengthened and humbled.

Mom, I know I personally gave you about 80% of the trials in your life. So yes, you’re welcome!

I know you have had your fair share of obstacles in life. I know the Lord has blessed you and dad tremendously through the obstacles. I know that my life has been blessed because of the faithfulness of my parents.

I stopped my goal portion, partially because I think I am learning so much more when I try not to stick to specific things but just when I spend the week thinking about what I wrote. Does that make sense?

Well, I am off to tend to sick kids! Love you mom! Thank you for your example!

Kathy