Yesterday my friend Kristin called to tell me about a story that was going to be on Oprah. So, I watched. There was an AMAZING and inspiring story about a woman that is going through a serious trial and Jenny McCarthy was on talking about "Mother Warriors" and her Autistic son.
INSPIRING!
(People change through adversity! If you haven't seen it in her LOOK!)
One comment that stuck was this, Oprah asked Jenny if she can find the blessing in what she has gone through. Jenny's response was this,
"EVERYTHING that happens to us is the best thing that ever happened to us, if we will just look for the blessing in it."
Trials stink! That is for sure! But, everything EVERYTHING that happens to us is for a purpose and becomes a blessing, IF we are willing to rise above and learn from it! She talked about how we have two paths in life to take. I believe that it is not only in trial, but in EVERYTHING that happens in our lives. We can choose either the path that leads to self pity and despair over our situation, or we can choose to rise above, learn & grow from, overcome and then teach!
If then there is a purpose wouldn't we then be able to go to Him, whose purpose it is, for direction and comfort? YES! One of the greatest sources of comfort for me while the babies were in the hospital, with their little lives hanging in the balance and all of our family walking straight into the "refiners fire", is in Mosiah 24: 14-15 in the Book of Mormon:
"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon [their] backs were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."
And then add a whole lot of this:
"And now my beloved bretheren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved." Omni 1:26 BofM
There is NO DOUBT that we CAN "submit cheerfully and with patience to the will of the Lord", EVEN in the face of crushing trial! What a blessing! This totally happened for us. Days were long and hard, be we were able to find joy in a place where it seemed it couldn't exist! And then because of the blessings of the Priesthood and the LOVE of the Lord we are not only surviving...we are THRIVING with smiles on our faces and gratitude in our hearts!
So today I am committing to look at everything in my life and make sure that "EVERYTHING that happens to us is the best thing that ever happened to us", because we WILL look for the blessing in it!
7 comments:
It was pretty good. Who knew an old play boy girl could be so inspiring =). Well, Jay told me she used to be a play mate, I didn't ask how he knew that =)
it's nice to be reminded sometimes that most of us don't have things THAT bad...we can always see blessings if we look hard enough! You are such a great example of a postitive attitude...we meed a few more people like you in the world!
Thanks Amy--I can always count on feeling better after I check your blog. I appreciate your positive attitude. You inspire me Amy!! Have a great day.
Okay Amy, Ryan was a good missionary, but I'm not sure he was as good a missionary to receive such a spiritual giant as his eternal companion. (just kidding Ryan, you were a fantastic missionary)! Thanks for inspiring me yet once again. By the way, I made your moon cake and decided that I either can't follow directions or just plain don't know what I did wrong, but it didn't turn out like yours. Still yummy though.
Amy- I'm sure jenny McCarthy was great, but no one could be more inspiring than you. You are consistently cheerful and upbeat no matter what the day/night brings you.
Thanks for the pep talk. I love to see your smile and the smiles of your family on your blog.
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