Today for Testimony Tuesday, I'm actually going to ask a favor of you all.
I know I usually keep my spirits high and my faith rock-solid during difficult times...but I'll be honest and say that my spirits are down right now. My faith is still solid, and I KNOW things will turn out better than I can imagine right now, but recently that sure knowledge that I lean on so much isn't yielding it's usual result of keeping me calm and happy. And that's okay. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has said, "The Lord in His wisdom does not shield anyone from grief or sadness." The Lord is letting me struggle a bit (although I'm sure these blasted pregnancy hormones aren't helping). But I'm praying to be back to my 'usual self' soon...
So instead of my testimony and words of strength and peace and knowledge that I usually ramble on with....I'd love to hear yours. I need a pick-me-up! So tell me something happy or uplifting or spiritual or funny or wise or kind. Or if nothing else, just remind me that everything will be okay! Thank you!
Auggie turns one!
5 years ago
16 comments:
Through the last 10 years it seems like I've learned and relearned the fact that I'm really not in control. Those times when Chris and I try to MAKE things happen for us usually don't work out very well. So we turn our lives over to Heavenly Father and things start to work out again. Maybe not in the way we would have wanted, but always for the better. Even if it took awhile for it to get there.
I'm struggling with that again right now. We started trying for another baby last June, and felt good about it. Then to be pregnant in October and miscarrying in December, well, I was confused. And now I want another baby more than I ever have before, but I know that I need to wait. For what I'm not sure. Maybe just to wait until I'm healthy again. Maybe to help Chris forget what we went through. (He does NOT like seeing me in sick and in pain.) But I find myself on my knees a lot just trying to understand the Lord's plan for us and His timing. Because I know there is another baby waiting to come to our family. Patience has never been one of my strong points, but I DO know that the Lord does have a plan for our family, and that it will be fulfilled in His time, not ours.
Joseph B. Wirthlin said it best when he said in a talk, "Come what may and love it." I have it on my blog header to remind myself to be thankful for what I have, and then hopefully I won't dwell too much on what I can't control.
Wow, sorry this is so long. And I just noticed that you also quoted Joseph B. Wirthlin. What a wise man. :)
Faith is tricky because I have had many moments like you where I know what I know but it's still so scary. It is as if I'm barely hanging onto a branch off the edge of a cliff. I'm praying for a miracle and the Lord says, "Let go. I will save you." He has never let me fall.
I have learned that in my toughest trials I was blessed with the most amazing miracles all throughout the trial. The end result was obvious but looking back on the experience I realized I was always being watched over and cared for, possibly more than usual.
You were there for me when I blogged a similar post. I haven't shared the story for various reasons but I will email it to you. Hopefully it will give you added strength to endure what you're going through. Because everything will be ok. Trust Him.
Geez, I'm such a bawling mess!! THANK YOU Bethany and Tristan!!
Remember that Read With Me Challenge we did not too long ago!? Well I hope you know it changed my life. It prepared me for this year, and comforted me after what I went through my first semester of college. It TRULY was an answer to my prayers. I can't even begin to tell you how quickly things fell into place after one prayer, and your challenge was that answer. My love for that book has never been so strong, than it was during that challenge. I was so dedicated and I felt the Spirit more, I was happier, and it was easier to support my missionary, and I witnessed the miracles promised in the Book of Mormon.
I know we've never met, but your idea turned into a miracle for me! I've always admired your faith, and that's why I absolutely LOVE reading your blog. You've become someone I definitely look up to, and the way you express your love towards your family, and being a mother, and the gospel and temples, it's just so amazing, that it makes me excited because I want to be just like that! Just remember people are watching you (or reading your blog) when you feel like no one really is. You're making a bigger impact on a lot of people, and for that, I'm extremely grateful!
Thank you so much, for helping me :)
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks for asking! I'm so glad you can lean on your readers since you provide such a great support system for so many.
It IS going to be OK. Life is difficult at times. Just like a job.......it's difficult because of the rewards. Stay strong in your faith and you'll be OK.
XOXO
Here are some good, distracting activities to keep your mind off your stresses:
*paint ladybugs on your toenails
*make wigs of yarn
*plan a ladies night where everyone has to prepare either a monologue or lip sync
*USED BOOK STORE!
*take the kids to the local pound to play with puppies
*call me!
503-880-0340 (we'll do madlibs...)
Oh, I hope my comment doesn't look like I'm making light of your struggles. I'm pretty big into goofy distractions to break up the stress of everyday whatnot... I'll send some prayers your way!
No Linz, your ideas were great! Maybe I should take a road trip to the Northwest again...that always cures the blues!!
One of my favorite 'pick me up' stories was told in a General Conference a few years ago (when my 6 yo was only 1!) I often think back on it when I'm having a hard time (which is, it seems, often.) I can't remember the exact words or details, so I'll paraphrase as best I can:
There was a woman who was a single mother of seven children - so, as you can imagine, she got overwhelmed at times! One night she was really struggling and needed a break, so she walked out of the house and just stood there, in her yard, looking at her house. She seemed to feel the weight of the world as she thought about all the many various demands each of her children and responsibilities placed on her. She felt so overwhelmed that she cried out in prayer "Heavenly Father, won't you just take me up to Heaven, just for tonight, so I can just have a moment's rest from all of this?" She softly heard the answer "No, my child, you can't come home yet - but I can come to you!"
This story also reminds me of a favorite quote of mine: "Sometimes, God calms the storm. Other times he strengthens the Sailor." When I feel like I just can't take the storm any more because it's not getting better, I try to remember that (at least hopefully) I'm getting stronger! :)
YOU CAN DO IT!!!
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He listens.
He can live anywhere in the universe, but He chose... your heart.
Face it friend, He is crazy about you! God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
I found this and thought of you. I had already posted a comment but somehow it didn't make it with your other comments. I have been struggling a lot lately but it's not so much a lack of faith but maybe trust. We have faith that God lives and that our Saviour loves us and yet we struggle even after all their promises. There are times when I feel like I cannot go on because the burdens seem so heavy and life is full of uncertainties and yet when I get to the point where I stop handling it all on my own and just surrender...He hears me. Think of how you feel about your sweet children and then picture Heavenly Father having those same sweet thoughts about you and your family. When I think about all the times I have felt darkness or loneliness or even despair, I think of the Saviour feeling exactly like I do and knowing that He will stand before my Heavenly Father seeking justice on my behalf. We all know God has a plan for us, He just hasn't filled us in on it, lol! I love you my friend and I want you to know that there are many people who care about and your sweet family...just look at all your past posts and feel the love. Hang in there and stand strong and when you can't just let go and place it in your Saviour's Hands and TRUST!
So I actually just came across a quote earlier today and posted it on my blog. It was short and simple, but a good reminder to me that God is there. He will come. He will take care of your family and will lead you down the path you need.
Thank you for your strength and testimony even on these days when you might not feel strong or sure. You are amazing!
What a lot of love and support on here for you! When I mentioned my struggles with my testimony in certain areas you told me how you grew to love it. I know you'll pull through, I don't think I've heard of anyone who is so trusting in the Lord as you are. It's inspiring!
It's amazing to me how much our Heavenly Father knows what we need. I have been feeling similar to how you described lately. So reading through your comments, even though they were meant for you, has helped me a lot. Thank you for that.
And to add to what everyone else has said, "God doesn't give us anything we can't handle." This thought always helps me when times are tough. It reminds me that I have been given certain trials because He knows I can handle them. He knows I'm strong enough. He knows you're strong enough too.
Good luck!
I don't have much to offer but I thought I would share my favorite quote...
" You were preserved to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. Your mission is unique and distinctive for you. If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here."-H. Burke Peterson
I love that it says that Heavenly Father will walk with us through our journey. I know that he is walking with you! You are an amazing women who touches everyone that you come in contact with! Your strength is something I wish to one day obtain! You can do this! You are doing this!
Love Ya!
I don't know why I keep thinking about this, but I was just thinking about how blessed we are to have our families and be sealed to them. I know when I am having a tough time, it is always helpful to think of the things I am grateful for. And I think I am most thankful for my amazing husband, beautiful children, and the fact that I know I can be with them forever. It is such an amazing blessing that you have too, Becca. And I hope you can find comfort in that and other beautiful truths of the gospel.
Thanks for posting this! I won't be leaving a quote just yet because while our current challenge is probably much smaller than yours, it's enough to give me run for my money. Instead, I'm going to read these inspiring quotes and feed off of them. If you need someone to cry yourself silly with, I'm the girl. I'll cry with you. And then you can laugh at how bad I cry with such silly trials we're going through. That might make you feel better!!
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