Sometimes life from the passenger seat looks a bit like this: ROAD CLOSED, STOP, WORK ZONE, DETOUR AHEAD; in other words: stop, wait, slow down, turn around, or take another path entirely. While a detour along the road to a determined destination may be inconvenient for a moment, the detours in life are much more painful and harrowing. It can be so painful to wait, stop, or turn around when all we really want is to move forward. These trials test our faith and challenge us to become more like our Savior, enduring moments of soul-wrenching heartache and sorrow.
Today my heart is hurting so much for a dear friend who is struggling with a heartbreaking loss. I wish there was more I could do to comfort and support my friend in her pain. I'm aware of so many wonderful friends and family members who are going through very difficult trials. Furthermore, a line in the hymn "Lord I Would Follow Thee" reminds us that often we don't even know the trials so many around us are facing. "In the quiet heart is hidden, sorrow that the eye can't see." Some trials are visible, giving others an idea of what you might be going through, but so many are tucked away within our quiet hearts. Throughout these times of trial I've been gaining such a stronger testimony of prayer, temple attendance, and scripture study. I know miracles happen everyday, and I continue to pray for them in the lives of those I love, and in my own quiet struggles.
The road is not always easy and the way is not always clearly paved before us (at least we cannot see it with our natural eyes) but I know that the Lord loves us, and has a plan of happiness for each of his children.
"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time,
the design of your God concerning those things which shall come
hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the
day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory;
the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."
Pressing forward with faith, praying for those I love, and continuing to hope in better and brighter days.
L
1 comment:
I can definitely appreciate the metaphor of life being a "construction zone." Both the literal road construction on I-15 (I-85 here in Georgia) and the internal, individual road construction we all have in our lives are tests of patience and perspective. " Are the means really worth the end goal?" we might ask ourselves. If we hearken to the scripture and the words of our latter-day prophets, we know the answer to this question is a resounding YES!!!!
That doesn't mean the road is easy or that there is even a definite end to the process. It does mean, at least to me, that I am not the only one working on "my construction." Thankfully, I am surrounded by a network of faith -- both mortal and immortal -- that sustains me and encourages me to move forward, even when I might really want to stop in my tracks.
In some fashion or another, we all have this same network. I am keeping your friends in my prayers. I know they are strong and that there are great blessings ahead for them.
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