I have struggled in my life with faith. Faith in myself, faith in other people, and most importantly faith in Heavenly Father. I tend to want to do everything on my own and my way. That has not worked out so nicely.
I have since learned that I could never map out my life better than Heavenly Father. He has a plan for me and it is much fuller and rewarding than the one I had in mind.
With the way life is now with financial struggles all around it is easy to get frightened and unsure. When we got into our house I thought, "Is this a good idea?...What if we lose our job?...What if we lose our house?!..." I couldn't watch the news or allow myself to think about the economic crisis of our country. I about had a panic attack every time I did! Then I watched conference and talked about it with my sweet husband. "Fear and Faith cannot co-exist."
Both of us have had good feelings about what is ahead. Not to say we will not struggle or that money is going to be plentiful. We just have faith that we as a family will be okay no matter what happens. Every time I feel I have hit a road block I keep going. Whenever I get discouraged and think, "I cannot get through this!" I do. I look back on my life at all the worrying I did along the way and now I feel "What a waste!" Even if my worst fears present themselves, does it change it to worry before? No! Is it likely they will ALL happen? No! Then what is the use in worrying about it?
Things will happen regardless of my feelings about them. I need to stop fretting about what could happen and focus what is actually happening. My children are only little once. I am only young in this life once. I just do not want to look back on my life and think, "Wow, what was I doing? Why didn't I do more? Why did I give myself an ulcer over things that never happened?!" I see no reason not to be happy now. I have had the "I'll be happy when..." attitude. (When never comes!) I have tried to decide now to be happy.
"Getting back to the basics," is a phrase I have heard everywhere! How strange that everyone is feeling that. What really is important in this life? What we can acquire with money? Who we can impress? Or rather who do we make lasting connections with? Making great memories with those you love! I hope I never forget that! Even when the economy rebounds.
Basically, I am grateful for everything Heavenly Father has given me! I have certainly felt the tender mercies of the Lord! He is so mindful of what I need and even what I want. It breaks my heart that there are people struggling out there alone. If they only knew! He cares! Even if it does not seem that way, he really does!
