Yes, ‘Miracles Happen’! Many prayers have gone out in my behalf, and many prayers have been answered! I am humbled by the love that has been shown by each of you and by my Heavenly Father. Thank You! I am free from the Lymphoma Cancer that was responsible for this difficult and amazing Journey to Wholeness!! Without it I would not be the benefactor of many miracles and learning experiences.
I am discovering that I am a fighter. Fighting can be a good thing....many battles are won because of those who are strong and brave and will fight for the good causes in this world. I am so grateful for all who have fought for my heritage, my freedoms and my religion. My life if better because of their dedication, diligence and determination to stand for something good. Sadly, my battles are more selfish than that. I know what I want out of this life. Because of those wants and goals, I have created, what could be referred to as selfish desires and expectations. The excitement of getting a ‘cancer free’ prognosis, was quickly diminished with the oncoming words and phrases; “I’ve never seen this in all my years of practice”, “it’s very rare”, “could be another kind of cancer” and “we’ll do a biopsy....” etc. All I could think of was what I had just gone through and the possibility of having to experience it again....immediately my fight began. The battle is in my mind against the trials of mortal life, physical pain and mental, anguish, frustration, weakness, the loss of life and freedom to do what I desired with my life. All that I had learned and experienced in the last few months was gone in that moment.....a moment is all it took to wipe away all my happiness, my hope for a better future, the joy that had I just experienced of overcoming a huge adversity! It all disappeared and I was left empty....in the dark. Think of a time when you were in a room, totally involved in a project, and somehow the lights were switched off. You were startled for a moment, not knowing what happened. Immediately heaviness and darkness began to press down on you, fear takes hold of your heart and you began to panic (...that’s what I do because I hate the dark!). Then..... just as quickly, the light returns! Remember how it was such a relief? The weight is lifted, fear disappears and you feel happy and free to return to your project. I love the contrast between light and dark that is depicted in this little analogy. In such a short amount of time, there is a huge variance in our emotions and feelings. The burden of darkness is contrasted with the relief, hope and joy that comes when the light returns into our lives. This analogy can help us understand the gift or principle of opposition. I have gone through my life trying to avoid opposition. Trying to shield my family from any opposition or adversity, trying to protect them and keep them safe. But, recently I have learned that opposition isn’t something to despise or turn my back on....but, a gift, something to invite into our lives because of the great purpose it has in our mortal experiences. Opposition in all things, gives us the opportunities needed to make our own choices, it is the only way we can prove ourselves and be successful in growing and learning all that is needed to progress toward perfection, to realize our divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. “It must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so,....righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good or bad.” 2 Nephi 2:11 Also remember......the stars can’t shine without the darkness! Before I go further....a word in my defense and everyone else’s defense (...because I sure I’m not the only one that has to engage in a ‘fight’ when challenges come), we are not expected to embrace or invite opposition “in the moment” something hits us in the face. I’m so grateful that we have a grace period where we can come to terms with what has been given us. But, it helps to have an understanding of this gift, so that when challenges do come we can, as soon as possible, turn to the knowledge that we have, so that we can see opposition in a new light, as a blessing in disguise.....if we choose. I remembered the words that Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shared with us in his October 2008 Conference Address. He said,”.....whenever my steps led through seasons of sadness and sorrow, my mother’s words often came back to me: “Come what may, and love it.” Many times I have recalled these words and have tried to hold on and endure through the trials and adversity that came. It also helps to remember that we are not the only ones that have suffered greatly. Remember the awe inspiring words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his companions in the smothering darkness of Liberty Jail: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” D&C 121:7–8. Another time of persecution and adversity is recorded in the Book of Mormon. The people of God were “suffering all manner of afflictions”, and the Lord commanded them to “pray without ceasing” and to “give thanks in all things”. Mosiah 26:38-39 With these eternal perspectives in mind, we can take comfort in knowing that everyone, has to suffer all manner of afflictions. If we will remember God and turn to Him with grateful hearts, we can be strengthened to rise above and overcome our opposition. Sometimes the very moments that seem to quickly send us into the darkness, are the very experiences that will ultimately allow us to rise above and become exalted. Without opposition, there would be no test, no failure and no success in life. There would be no growth to attain the purpose our Father in Heaven, desired for us. Ponder this: If we don’t experienced the dark, with a grateful heart, we won’t experience the joy and happiness that we are seeking. Because of lessons I’ve learned, it didn’t take me long, to remember what I already knew......God, my Heavenly Father and the Creator of my life, had a plan and a purpose for me, I am His daughter, He loves me and has my best interests in mind so I can succeed in this life and therefore, become exalted. Because I have used my agency to embrace that purpose, His love and His plan for me, I was able to find my faith, give thanks for all things, and trust Him to give me the challenges and struggles that He feels will help me grow and become as He is. So my life takes a different path than what I was expecting, but with these words and my testimony of Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father, I know that whatever comes, I can trust in His plan and purpose for my life. Because I have known despair, I value hope Because I have tasted frustration I value fulfillment Because I have been lonely I value love - Leonard Nimoy ARTWORK - Titled: The Big Game We all know there is no winning without the opposition. This painting depicts the joy that comes in facing our challenges. We experience joy in overcoming the opposition, whether it’s The Big Game or whether it’s one of life’s big tests. Without opposition, there would be no test, no failure and no success in life. There would be no growth to attain the prize or the purpose our Father in Heaven, desires for us. “We must be unafraid of what is difficult. For all living things in nature must unfold in their particular way and become themselves at any cost and despite all opposition.” - Unknown
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AuthorHi I'm Jeannie Puzey, Archives
October 2018
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