I have been thinking of writing this post for quite some time now and I hope the spirit will help me convey what I feel in my mind and heart.
Have you ever been in a place in life where things are so good that you wish you could stop time? I have. I seem to know when I have a good thing going and I detest change. I don’t understand why good things have to end! About a year ago, I was in a really good place in life. I was working, going to school, dating a great guy and was surrounded by wonderful friends and family. All the trials I had experienced in the past seemed to be worth it for the wonderful life I was living. I had it good.
However, slowly but surely things started to change. Unexpected trials left me feeling defeated and I didn’t understand why things weren’t going the way I wanted. During one particular trial I was talking with a good friend. She explained to me that just like a book, life is made up of different chapters. Some chapters are full of joy and others are full of sorrow. We learn from each chapter in life and there’s no point dwelling in the past. There comes a time where all we can do is turn the page.
I’ve pondered this analogy a lot since then. Though change is often difficult, it is part of life. When I look back at my life, I’m often grateful for things that didn’t work out the way I wanted. Sometimes there are things in life that seem so important until something better comes along. Sometimes this isn’t the case. Sometimes bad things happen and we don’t know why. But I believe everything happens for a reason; either to help us or to teach us. We learn what we can from each stage of life and then we move on. Change is good. Growth is good!
I suppose life isn’t meant to be happy all the time. If Adam and Eve hadn’t learned the good from the bad from their transgression; they never would have experienced joy. There is supposed to be opposition in all things. It’s part of our mortal experience!
I love the message in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 which says:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
Things are looking up for me these days and I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned. There are different chapters and seasons in life and each one has its purpose. Through the good and the bad in life, there is so much to be learned. And if you are in a difficult season- stay strong. Just as the dark, cold winter turns into a glorious spring, so will our sorrows be turned to joy and our struggles into triumphs. God is aware of in every season and He loves you. Trust in Him and in His timing. There is so much good to come!
I was born and raised in Ogden Utah and am part of a big crazy family of 9. 🙂 I served a mission in Detroit and I seriously love the gospel! I also enjoy reading, drawing, photography and road trips. Tacos and craft stores are my weakness and I believe that ice cream fixes everything.