This morning I was contemplating my journey. From where I am now it looks so different in perspective to the journey I had envisioned in my heart and in my mind.
The steep, rocky climb, I was expecting, turned out to be a peaceful walk through hills and valleys. It definitely has it's hard terrain, but once I put a foot out to take a step, I could see light and knew I would be okay. Our success through challenges comes one step at a time. I expected that this would be a long, cold, lonely journey. But, from my first step on the path I could see that I was in a beautiful place and that I was definitely not alone. The Lord was the first one on my path. I felt His love and I'm at peace knowing He is going before me, preparing the way and bringing comfort to calm my fears. He is always there, even when I don't see Him, His light shines out and dims the darkness. The path before me is now full of light and hope. With Him I can do this! "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" 2 Corinthians 4:17 The next person reaching out to me on my path is my husband, lifting me up the steeper sections along the way, encouraging me and giving me hope. Sad that it takes a life changing event to realize that I haven't fully appreciated him and the love he has had for me throughout these years. He too, has always been there for me through everything, and now he is here holding on to me and letting me know that will walk this path with me. He gives me hope that I will soon step out of the darkness into the sunshine. The strength I feel from him is so comforting. With him I can do this! My family has been a shining beacon for me. So much love, support, personal prayers and encouragement. I find myself lifted spiritually after having visited with each one. My dear family reaching out to me daily. What a joy to know God blessed me with the most amazing family to walk this difficult road. Their love and support cannot be measured! For because of them, I am truly loved!! They mean the world to me. With them I can do this! As with most things we do in life, so many people that I have interacted with through the years are praying for me, giving me their love and encouragements. Friends from long ago and friends that are here now, friends that I've never met. If only we knew, a fraction of the amazing people, who are out there willing to give their love and support. I have never felt so loved! With them I can do this! "Love is the most powerful force in the world." Elder Dallin H Oaks Hope is not pretending that troubles don't exist. It is hoping that they won't last forever. That hurts will be healed and difficulties overcome. That we will be led out of the darkness and into the sunshine. Heavenly Father blesses us through our difficulties. We have to experience the difficult, the trials, the challenges to find the joy, peace and happiness that we all long for. Our difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. With Him we can do this!
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The interesting thing about going on this kind of journey is that you aren't sure where the road will take you. What I do know is that following the will of the Lord on this journey will take me somewhere I never even knew existed, somewhere closer to Him, the 'More' I've been searching for.
Life has been teaching me that there is a 'Gift' attached to every challenge, if we choose to seek for it. It has been so uplifting and encouraging to see so many blessings within this cancer challenge. I was surprised when I began to be thankful for the problems I was having with my eye, for without them I wouldn't have been able to know that there was a bigger problem that needed addressed. The love and support of family and dear friends have been amazing. Financial blessings are among the many things that have come to remind me that my Heavenly Father loves me and is there for me now and always. I heard a story of a faithful pioneer woman, Drusilla Hendricks, she had gone through some pretty hard times already and was now being faced with another challenge that seemed more than she could bear. Because she felt like she could not take on anymore, her heart and mind were tormented until this thought came to her, "Do you not want the highest glory? How do you think to gain it save by making the greatest sacrifices?" Seems like we spend too much time focusing on what was or could be taken away instead of seeing what is being given....the 'Gift'. For some reason this story has stuck with me and has been present with other challenges that have come. Now it is helping me to have the faith to hold on for whatever the Lord is asking of me at this time. Unless I have desires in my heart for the highest glory, and allow the spirit to guide me to that desired destination, I will only find struggle and hardship through my challenge. If my desire is to find the Savior more personally in my life, as I seek Him and His will, He can bring in the miracles that can only come when my heart is turned to Him. We all need Him because we all have struggles and pain. These challenges bring many fears and concerns with them. But, when we can hush those fears and turn to the Lord and bring Him into our lives, we are able to hold on to something that is on a much higher level that will bring us to the real blessings we seek. God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a gift for your faithfulness. Don't give up! He is silently beckoning us to come and discover Him so He can give us the 'Gifts' He has waiting for us. Listen to your discontent, your longing, your emptiness, it is trying to tell you that there is more that God wants to give you. Join me in seeking and searching for that 'Gift'. Hugs!! Jeannie |
AuthorHi I'm Jeannie Puzey, Archives
October 2018
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