Trials... I know that trials are necessary for us to return to God, but sometimes they seem so heavy to bear... A couple in our ward just lost their sweet 21 month old little girl. My best friend lost her husband in a car accident after only being married a year. My dear friend lost her sweet Grammy to the battle of breast cancer. We know numerous couples that want so badly to have children but struggle with infertility. Some friends of ours gave birth to premature twins only to lose them shortly after they were born. We have friends who struggle financially. There are so many trials that we face here on this earth. My heart aches for these dear friends. We pray for them each daily. Sometimes I want so badly to do more, but I don't know what to do... This weekend as I listened to general conference, I had a few thoughts. This past week Allen observed therapy of a couple that is having quite a few struggles. As he watched this couple talk about their difficulties he felt for each of them. It turns out the husband is in Allen's class that he TA's for and Allen later administered a test to the husband. The husband didn't know that Allen had observed his therapy session and he said if he hadn't seen the therapy and he would have just met the husband he would have thought that he had everything going for him. He would have never guessed that his marriage was on the rocks. I realized that so many of us have struggles and trials that are hidden. We may not know what is really happening with our neighbors or ward members. Even those with evident trials like our friends above, we may see them at church and they appear to be doing well and we let them be. As I listened to President Uchtdorf, I realized I cannot do this. He said, that we need to focus on those things that matter most and that includes relationships with our fellowmen. The only problem is I don't always know how to do this. I get self conscious and think, what can I do to help? Maybe they don't want me to help. But I think most of us need a friend no matter if we are struggling with a trial at the moment or not. That is one thing I walked away from conference is I want to be a better friend.
I also loved President Monson's talk. There is so much to be grateful for. I am amazed and in awe of the friends mentioned above. Each of them have such faith and courage even amidst their difficult trials. My best friend once said, I could mope around and be depressed and I would totally be justified... but my husband doesn't want me to be sad and our Heavenly Father doesn't want us to be sad... "Men are that they might have joy." Each of these friends above are my example. I love each of them and am so grateful for them. They have something that is so precious taken away from them, but they still count their blessings. I want to have an attitude of gratitude like President Monson talked about.. an attitude that each of these friends emulate daily.
There are many more thoughts I have from conference, but this is the last I will share. I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I love the promise found in Matthew 11 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I know that amidst trials and at all times The Savior is holding our hand giving us strength to bear whatever it is we are asked to bear.
At the beautiful funeral of our little 21 month old friend, the song "I know that my Redeemer Lives" was sung. Some words from the song... (Not in order of the song)
I know that my Redeemer lives!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives to bless me with his love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end;
What joy this blest assurance gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
I know those words are true. I know that He lives and that because he was resurrected, we too will be resurrected. I know that our friends who have lost someone so dear will see them again. There is so much to be grateful for. I love general conference. I love the spiritual rejuvenation I feel from listening to the Lord's Prophet on the earth today. I know that each of us struggle, but the Savior is holding our hand.
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