Dear Sisters,
Are you so busy checking your electronic devices and crossing chores and errands off your to do list that you have forgotten to enjoy life? If you are zipping through life-its daily tasks and troubles-to get to the next thing, ask yourself what that next thing is. Tomorrow's daily tasks and troubles? Next week's?
There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today. BUT, that "something" needs to be meaningful in Our Heavenly Father's plan for us. President Ezra Taft Benson stated: "When we put God first,all other things fall into their proper place-or drop out of our lives..." (The Great Commandment, Ensign May 1988).
Sometimes all we can hear is the loud drumbeat of dissatisfaction, even if the rest of our life offers a constant and beautiful melody. If we are always wanting what we don't have, always wishing for more or different, or being anywhere but here, it's time to take stock.
C.S. Lewis wrote:"The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first-wanting to be the center-wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan: and that was the sin he taught the human race... what Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors [about the fall of man]was the idea that they could 'be like gods',could set up on their own as if they had created themselves, be their own masters, invent some happiness for themselves outside of God, apart from God. And out of that happiness attempt has come the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."
Happiness is a direction; not a place! Every life has peaks and shadows. The Lord in his wisdom, does not shield anyone from grief or sadness. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, happier as a result.
Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on the job training. Those experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin commented: "Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome." ("Come What May, and Love It," Ensign Nov 2008)
What is most important in life goes hand-in-hand with gratitude for our blessings. Be reminded of what you DO have, and that is likely all you need. We may already have what we are seeking. Just as the characters in the "Wizard of Oz" had all for which they were searching. The tin man had a heart of love. The scarecrow had a brain in good working order. The lion had all the courage he needed. Each had to endure some difficult times, but ultimately recognized they already had these things within them. the same applies to us. Heavenly Father gave within each of us all that we will need in this mortal existence.
In our mortal existence, difficulties and challenges will be tossed in our path. Like those characters in the "Wizard of Oz", we will probably encounter a "witch" or two along the way. Life may not always be a yellow brick road, but nevertheless, a definite path has been laid on which we can travel to return to "never ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41) in the presence of our Heavenly Father, where we will fully understand "there is no place like home".
Love,
Sister Val Walsh
Stake Relief Society Secretary
