It's been a stressful week. I have had school issues, children issues, extended family issues, and so on. I feel like I have had so many issues coming at me at once that I can hardly catch my breath. Some days I wonder if life is just all stress and no joy! I asked my husband if it was just going to be like this from now on. I was contemplating these thoughts one morning and then discovered a talk by Elder Lance Wickman in a May 2008 Conference Address entitled "Today." In it, Elder Wickman spoke about returning to Vietnam after 40 years, where he once served in battle as an infantry officer. He said that what he found was most unexpected. He said that "Instead of finding a war-ravaged people, I found a youthful, vibrant population. Instead of a countryside pockmarked by shell fire, I found peaceful, verdant fields." He was reminded that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).
I was grateful for that gentle reminder. For all of us who weep today, may we find joy in the morning!
I remember reading about how Christ suffered all kinds of things and even fatigue. As a teenager I thought.... that isn't so bad why would they list that in the scriptures. Now as a mother... fatigue is huge. Sometimes it is hard to find joy in the moment when you are fatiuged. Yet, faith and "joy in the morning" does come.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a good reminder. I have said that very thing to Scott, seriously contemplating if this is how life will always be.
ReplyDeleteElder Holland spoke in our stake conference a few years ago and gave a very profound talk on this subject. He opened quoting from the book "Night". He read a passage from a man, who at the time, was in a concentration camp. I wish I could remember the exact quote. He talked about the darkness of night and how life can sometimes feel like a very long, dark, lonely night, but that eventually the sun does rise. No matter how long the night is, the sun still comes up in the morning. Sometimes it just seems like a very long night. Hang in there! We sure love you guys.
Thanks for the post, it helped me alot. I think this has been one of the hardest weeks in a long time. Not only the stress of dealing with the extended family issues but also coming to the realization that my little boy is not like everyone else. Now that he is almost 14 months the differences show themselves even more. People ask his age and say oh is he walking and I am like no, he is not even crawling. Even though I know he is a special little boy it still tugs at the heart strings to see him fall behind. But, then he smiles and all the sadness in my heart goes away. He brings us that Joy that comes I guess in the Mornings.
ReplyDeleteTaush, You are my most consistent reader! Thanks so much for all of your comments. They really make my day. I am glad this one helped you. I think we are all really just walking around in the land of Canaan trying to find our way out! Love you and your cute little family. Hope to see you soon.
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