No regrets

Hard times. They seem to be prolific now-a-days.

Frustration, mistakes, failed second chances; this applies towards the challenges in life and eternity, too…or does it?

Some may typically think that the Atonement is limited to helping those that have broken the commandments and need forgiveness, and indeed it does that. But the Atonement also empowers us when we fall short in other ways as well. For example, when we face obstacles that divert our course and our best is not enough, we needn't give up and submit to failure. We are not alone. The ability and confidence initiated by the Atonement of Jesus Christ empowers us to try again with the confidence and knowledge that we will ultimately achieve success. The challenges in life have not yet molded us to become the people that we can eventually become, so we try again and again. Let me illustrate this with a story. 

Years ago I was walking between campus and home when a friend passed by in a vehicle with his family. He smiled and waved. And wanting to return this courtesy, I too showed I was happy to see him, so I waved my hand in response. Admittedly, I was a little taken back at how excited this family was to see me, so I kept waving and walking. I noticed how animated and joyful these folks were, even the children were waving their hands now. Some of them were holding both hands up in surprise. With my attention turned to this friend, I walked directly into a stop sign. They had been trying to alert me to my pending collision. My intentions were good, my efforts sincere, but the outcome wasn't pleasant.  Well it was long after the embarrassment subsided and the bump on my head disappeared that I finally learned a lesson from this experience. Sometimes our intentions are the only control we have over a situation and despite our best efforts, they alone are not enough. But add to our good intentions the Atonement of Jesus Christ and even our shortcomings are more than sufficient because His infinite gift restores all things to their proper form. How is that done? I have no idea, but I know Who does. And that is really all that matters.

I follow a blog about a particular family that adopted children from Ethiopia and the miracle these children have been in their lives. I was first introduced to this experience through a beautiful video that touched me deeply when I watched it. I admired the man and woman and their family, but I got busy and soon lost track of the event and turned my attention to other things.

Life has been busy, and I failed to keep current reading new blog posts...until today. When I visited the page, I was horrified to hear that one of these beautiful children was taken in a car accident. Dozens of well-wishers extended sympathy and words of comfort to heal a broken family and particularly the mother. Their faith carries them through each day.

We all experience loss. But because of Jesus Christ, our sadness need not linger. The great plan of happiness extends the renewing power of God's love and the miracle of his grace into your life.

And when times are tough and hope is all we have, we derive comfort through our confidence in Him.

Rising above Trials

“Is there not wisdom in [Heavenly Father] giving us trials that we might rise above them, responsibilities that we might achieve, work to harden our muscles, sorrows to try our souls? Are we not exposed to temptations to test our strength, sickness that we might learn patience, death that we might be immortalized and glorified?

 “If all the sick for whom we pray were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. No man would have to live by faith.”

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 15.