But there are some trials and some terrible, unspeakable things that people have to go through. And I've just been thinking about these tragedies and these horrible things that happen to innocent people. Children who have to go out in this very hard world and put on a brave face so no one knows anything is wrong, and then come home to a place that is nothing like a home. A place where they are abused and beaten down in every sense of the word.
I've just been trying to reconcile this in my mind. I've been praying for understanding why people have to go through such awful things. It's just not fair, it's just not right. Why do I have the comfortable life I have and the Gospel and a good family and they don't? What do they have?
And then the answer came to me. "Everyone does have choices." Everyone has a choice to make. Even though awful things happen to people that they have no control over, they still have some type of choice. A choice to keep going. A choice to move on. A choice to ask for help. A choice to change. A choice to be happy. A choice to do something different.
As I look back on the hardest times of my life and my lowest of lows, I think about the choices that I made at those very critical moments. I am happy to say I chose well and I am proud of the choices I've made. And I know Heavenly Father is proud of those choices as well. I know because that exact phrase was used in several priesthood blessings I've received. "Heavenly Father is proud of the choices you have made that have brought you to where you are now".
I pray that I will always be able to make the choices that will lead me back to Heavenly Father and everlasting joy.
1 comment:
This reminds me of this poem I recently came across.
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost ... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
~ Portia Nelson ~
(There's a Hole in My Sidewalk)
I love you Mary!
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