I had a conversation with a friend of mine a few weeks ago in which she expressed, "I don't know if I drew every short straw in heaven but it sure does feel that way." That comment was the catalyst of a lot of thought for me. I don't think it is a matter of "drawing the short straw". I am learning that every choice has a natural consequence. We all have temptations and adversity in our lives. Yet Heavenly Father is bound to bless us when we face our trials, our everyday "Goliath's" with obedience to the laws and principles of the gospel. I believe that facing tragedy, temptation, hardship and adversity in our lives with faith, courage and endurance leads us to the ETERNAL blessings of the gospel. How then do we muster the courage to place one foot in front of the other day after day? The answer is quite simple. It is the Savior. Turning our hearts to Him and submitting to the will of the Father helps the infinite atonement compensate for inadequacy, hurt, betrayal, loss, etc...whatever we may feel.In relation to this, I had a conversation with a sister of mine and expressed that I wish I could change a lot of my past choices thinking it might have led me to a very different path in my life. Her response to me was simple and yet profound. She said "Molli, everyone has agency. We all get to choose. In the end what we choose has very little influence on the choices of others......especially the BIG choices." I think my sister is right and that simple statement couldn't be more true. I believe that when we come before our Savior that the excuse of "Well, she or he did this and that is why I chose that" or "It was just too hard to try and do everything I was supposed to" or "I did everything I could that was right and life was still hard, if not harder"......will not be able to justify refusing to obey the commandments. There will be no excuse. The reality is that when we choose to live the gospel of Jesus Christ the blessings may not come in the way that we think and they may not come instantaneously but they ALWAYS come. I can truly testify of that. I truly believe NOW is the time that Heavenly Father is weeding out the weak from the strong (As my mother says), those who will choose to stand up for what is right and true no matter what temptation or hardship may come and then those who foolishly believe the enticing promises of Satan that momentary happiness is worth selling their eternal salvation for. The beauty of all of this still lies in the fact that at ANYTIME the Savior stands ready to redeem and forgive. I look forward with great hope and promise that the best for me and my kids is YET to come. That as I strive to honor my sacred covenants that I made to my Father in Heaven, that these special spirits that have been entrusted to me in this life will be mine in the eternities.That makes every trial worth the infinite blessings that come when we are obedient. The reality is that we all have a choice, everyday what path we will take, and it takes a conscious effort to strive to align our path with the Savior's. In each new day there lies the opportunity to choose to follow Him and to find Joy in The Journey. I am learning how to do this again in my life because of my kids and I am so grateful for that.
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