Aloha to one and all from Hauula, Hi.
I sometimes wonder what is wrong with me. When I am nowhere near a computer or my blog, I can think of the most wonderful things to post. Thoughts about people I have met, talks I have heard, a special student from BYUH I admire because of where they have come from and where they are going -- on and on. All spectacular blogging ideas. HOWEVER, when I finally sit down, none of that wonderful stuff seems to come to mind, hence you will have to put up with what does come today.
I have been having a "dizzy head" time for the last couple of weeks. I am afraid that I am not very good at enduring. I whine and cry and make all sorts of disparaging remarks about my "poor head and why me, why now". There were a couple of days where Don had to lead me around just to get from place to place. He is so patient and loving when that happens.
All of this has made me reflect on the challenges that come to one and all. No one is immune, no matter how much money we have, how popular we are, how handsome or beautiful or tall and thin we are. It doesn't make any difference if you are a member of the Quorum of the Twelve or are the blood drive chairman in the ward, we all must be tested in this life. It does seem that some are tested and tried more than others. I ask myself, "Why is that".
Are those who were the most valiant in the preexistence, tested more than someone else? Are those who will receive the highest degrees of celestial glory tested and challenged more than those who are "mere" Celestial Kingdom dwellers? How about children who are born handicapped -- were they more or less valiant? I believe they were more valiant and didn't have to withstand some of the mortal testing we go through. I have a sister who was born with cerebral palsey. She is surely sitting on the right hand of God right now. She was an angel. Was the handicap her challenge, or was that her blessing?
I love Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Joseph is pleading with the Lord regarding the suffering of the saints. I would think there were times that he just couldn't understand why the Lord would let such awful things happen to the Saints and to him. He wanted to know "How Long". Then this wonderful answer from our Heavenly Father, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment. (And then the promise he gives to him and to us) ." And then, if thou endure it will, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shall triumph over all thy foes.?" Then I guess to make him and us feel better, he notes, "Thou are not yet as Job..................." He reminds him of all the blessings he does have.
Maybe I need to be a little more thankful of those many, many blessings that my Heavenly Father has given to me over lo, these many years. When I am thinking that my trials are more than I can stand, I need to sing that little song, "Count Your Many Blessings". "Count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done".
As this day comes to an end, I promise to be more grateful for ALL of the blessings that I have and to let my Heavenly Father know how grateful I am to him for being saved to come forth in this meridian of time, when the gospel has been restored and when I can know without a doubt that my Savior lives and that he died for all of my sins and shortcomings, even the shortcoming of being ungrateful when I am blessed beyond anything that I can even imagine.
My prayer this day is, that whatever comes our way, that we may be found up to the challenge. May we all be found in the presence of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. May they say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant............enter thou into the joy of thy lord". Matthew 25:21
