First off, I just wanted to say that these are my thoughts. Not fact, merely feelings from my heart, that have been swirling around in my head.
I am not enjoying my travels around blogdom right now.
I have been a bit busy lately with some new assignments and projects so I haven't been able to blog and visit but much of what I am seeing as I'm surfing today is FEAR and ANGER.
Politics are a part of life. Definitely a hard part. I know it. I will admit I have a very limited knowledge of what goes on.
I know what I see though. People losing jobs, getting paid less money for doing more work. Gas prices skyrocketing. War. Crashing stock market. Recession.
I know I could go on, but I won't.
We are definitely feeling the affects of these things in our family.
I've been reading about "socialism" and "change" and "making history". I have read so much negativity.
Who likes change? Not me, for sure. It hurts. Its uncomfortable. And yes, scary.
But here we are now. Our next president, whether you voted for him or not, is here to stay.
I have to accept it. No, I did not vote for him. Do I hate him? No. Do I hate you if you did. Heck no.
Its funny to me how contagious fear and anger are. I feel like I'm catching a bug.
SO I guess I am trying to find solace in my testimony and my knowledge of the great plan of Happiness. I know it doesn't mean I will never be unhappy. It doesn't mean that nothing is going to be hard, and that life is a free ride.
My faith in my Heavenly Father is what I need to rely on. If I listen to the world, I will be discouraged. I will be unsatisfied, and angry. Life deals hard blows. People are mean. Some people are evil. Others choices can affect me and my family. And what I have been taught throughout my life is that this life is a test.
So why am I ranting on and on?
Maybe because I am reflecting on President Thomas S. Monson's talk at the last General Conference when he talks about "enjoying the journey"
Boy, that can sure seem like a hard task. But I can honestly say I am not in an uproar over the state of the country. I am not panicking, even though I had some pretty strong feelings against the new man in the white house come January.
President Monson says:
"I begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.”
Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly."
"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."
President Monson continues:" I pray that all of us will reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die?
He (Jesus Christ) taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved."
I'm so grateful for a living prophet. What a gift!
The scripture in Ecclesiates just keeps running through my mind....ok so maybe its not exactly the scripture running through my head but the song (an oldie but a goodie)
but the scriptures are coming true as we speak.
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Why, you ask, would this be running through my mind?
Good question.
All I can think of is that things are changing. Maybe its good? Maybe its not. But change is the one thing in life we can ALWAYS count on.
Maybe its a time to see what we are made of, as Americans, and as human beings, as neighbors, families, citizens? Most especially, as children of God.
I know who I am, and WHOSE I am. I refuse to be afraid.
I know who is truly in charge, and I have complete and total trust in Him and know that in the end, all things are done for our good. His plan is perfect, even if we are not, and with Him on our side, on our team, as HEAD COACH really, we will WIN.
Whew, now I can go wash the dishes. I really needed this pep talk.
