I vividly remember a day in Sunday school probably when I was about five. It was a day in the summer, because the classroom was stiflingly warm. I cannot remember my Sunday school teacher, but I do remember talking about marriage/divorce. When we talked specifically about divorce, I kept thinking "That will never happen to my mom and dad. They love each other." Oh how naive I was at the age of five.
Four years ago today, my parents called us into the family room, later to tell us that their relationship had changed and that they would be getting a divorce. I hardly remember the numb feeling after. My mind was racing, although not really understanding the changes that would eventually occur. Me hating my father for what he had done to my family and more importantly my mom, not having any desire at all to be around him, or not even calling him my father.
This is different now. I promise. I have an okay relationship with my father, he is very supportive of me and what I do in my life. It is a heartbreaking thing to think back on my past relationship with my father, how close we were before the divorce. But as I grow older I know a more mature relationship with unfurl with him. I love my dad, not in the same way I used to, but I do love him.
But at this moment now, I am so grateful for this trial in my life. I am grateful for the understanding of why trials come upon us. Because two years ago, I would never have even thought such a thing.
I have now come to understand, on a more personal level, why we have trials. That trials are a huge blessing, almost a compliment really, of how strong our Heavenly Father knows we are. Because another thing I have learned about trials, like an awesome quote I read yesterday from Mother Teresa:
I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.
--Mother Teresa
This quote speaks volumes. It is so true! Ever since I went to my sisters Miss Utah pageant in July (I think), a poem has stuck with me. I have shared it multiple times with a numerous amount of friends. It is called Law of Life. It has helped me as I grew my testimony of trials to even greater volumes.
For sun and sky and air and light,
That stood out in the open plain,
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king.
The man who never had to toil,
who never had to win his share,
of sky and sun and light and air,
Never became a mighty man,
But lived and died as he began.
Good timber does not grow in ease;
The stronger wind, the tougher trees:
The more the storm, the more the strength;
By the sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees or man, good timber grows.
Where thickest stands the forests growth,
We find the patriarchs of both,
And they hold converse with the stars,
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life.
I'll give you a fair warning, that I might use a few more quotations as I finish telling you this story, but I feel that other people can usually express how I feel, better than I can. If that makes sense... But anyways, back onto trials. What this poem really helped me with, was that trials really are a blessing. And, they make us stronger individuals. That trials aren't there for our Heavenly Father to tell us "I do you so", but for our good. Trials really are teaching moments. I cannot say it enough, that trials are for our benefit. Even if, at the time they don't seem that way. Like it says in one of my favorite lines of the poem, "The stronger the wind, the tougher the trees: The more the storm, the more the strength;"
Another great thing I have learned, quite recently is that life goes on. The circumstances may change, people may change, and even yourself may change, but no matter what, the world is not over. The sun will still rise just as it does everyday, and you will eventually "suck it up" and get over what's bugging you. This might be one of the most important things I have learned so far.
I could go on for days about trials, but I won't!
Here are a few more quotes I have come across that have helped further my understanding about adversity:
"If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change." --John A. Simone, Sr.
"If you know someone who tries to down their sorrows, you might tell them sorrow knows how to swim" --from the movie, P.S. I Love You.
And finally, one of my most favorites of all.
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."
--Mary Engebreit
Thank you for reading, I know this post was a little longer than ones in the past. Thanks for listening to my testimony on trials. I hope it had even a small affect on yours.
Have a Happy New Year! :)
--Samm.
