God's Loving Compensation

I have often thought about how God compensates us for our trials, and looking back over my life, I see how true this is.

When I suffered through years of depression, God compensated me by blessing with a patient husband who was always there for me. Whenever we have trials with our children, God compensates us by increasing our unconditional love for them, as well as helping us discover lessons learned. When I worry, God compensates me by giving me the knowledge that He is in control and as long as I am faithful, everything will be okay.

Now, on the lighter side, here are a few more examples.

When I used to have drive-me-crazy moments with the kids, God compensated me by helping me understand that those moments would one day fade, and He helped me to make the best of them. I was also compensated by being able to say, "Go to your room!"

Whenever I found another spot where my hair had thinned, I was compensated with a new wig and was soon the proud owner of a Dreamgirls section in my closet.

Whenever I got a rejection letter for a manuscript submission, God compensated me by increasing my determination to get published, and gave me the opportunity to improve my writing.

When my family tracks dirt on my freshly-mopped kitchen floor, God compensates me by . . . well, I don't know how I'm compensated on that one. I'm still trying to figure it out. But I know there's blessing there somewhere :-)
The point I'm trying to make is that trials are given, both big and small, and none are taken away without God giving us something back in return.
So we should try to recognize the blessings in everything.

Living in a Me, Me, Me World

This morning I have been doing a little pondering. (Big surprise:-))

In the world today, we are taught that everything is about us, about what we want, how we feel, and what we desire. Forget about everyone else. They can fend for themselves, our happiness is all that matters. This is the time of instead of asking, "What can I do for you?" we sport the engraved motto, "Let me tell you what you can do for me." It is a time of arrogance, narcissism, carving our permanent place in the spotlight, and doing whatever it takes to come out ahead of the next guy. Keeping up with the Jones is a thing of the past. Now we must acquire what the Jones have and then some, because, of course, this is where true happiness lies.

This thinking is so, so wrong.

Life is not all about us. It's about our families, about God, about what we can contribute to this world and how we can help others. And I don't mean in the 'It takes a village' sort of way. I've never been into that saying because I don't believe in collectivism. I never have and I never will. What I do mean is that we need to think of others besides ourselves. We need to pray for others, take care of our spouses and children and be the best we can be for them. It's about being a good sister or brother, being a good friend or neighbor, being a good grandma or grandpa, and most importantly, being the best child of God we can be.

In the grand scheme of things, with the condition the world is in today and the hour in which we now live, do the things of the world really matter? Should that really be our focus? Or should it be on the eternal things? Which do you deem more important?

Yes, God wants us to have the good things in life. But in seeking after those things, we need to remember the things that matter most. We need to remember that it isn't all about us. It's about loving and caring for one another and living your best life. It's all about being the best you you can possibly be. It's about remembering to reach for that oneness with the Savior that we so desperately need at all times and in all places. Now THAT is a worthy pursuit!

In the eyes of God we are amazing, no matter our station or stature in life. May we all shift our focus and live in such a way that we prove Him right.

God is Still At the Helm

As rapidly as the world is changing, I find myself no longer surprised by the evil that seems to increase by the day. But despite all the frightening things that are going on, there is still much good and we have a lot to be grateful for. I remind myself of this daily. Still, I am not asleep to the ever-growing dark dealings, and have been awakened to the events around us - events both hidden and in plain sight. And as I have increased my efforts this past week to be more spiritually prepared, I have felt my anxiety for the future slip away, being swallowed up in the assuring love of the Lord. Never in my life have I ever felt so close to Him, and I know this is only the beginning, as long as I am diligent in keeping Him in my thoughts and submitting to the Father's will, always putting Him first.

Life is meant to be enjoyed, not feared, and if we only look at the bad and wallow in it, we miss so much. We should always do what we can to fight evil and make the world better, and then remember that God is still in control and He won't leave us to deal with things alone. He never has and He never will, as long as we remain faithful, clinging to His Word with all our might, mind and strength. This is something easily forgotten at times, and something we should strive to never forget. Hope is always alive and there for the taking. We just need to open our eyes and ears to God's promptings and do our part. It is the only way we will keep it alive in us.