Trials.

 Picture from our getaway last weekend. More on that soon! // Quote from this talk.

It's been on my mind for weeks. Every article I read and talk I hear seem to take my thoughts in a new direction; giving me new insights. I've prayed about and pondered the subject until I started to feel more at peace with my conclusions.

Two weeks ago, we turned on the tv to see Mitch Albom (the author of Tuesdays with Morrie) give the commencement address at the University of Utah. (Which, by the way, was wonderfully inspiring!) At the conclusion of the address, the administrators did as they always do, and awarded the graduates their degrees. As I watched the masters and doctorate students walk across the stage to accept their diplomas, I burst into tears.

I'm not sure that I've ever fully disclosed our education situation before. Jason and I met during my first year of college. We were so young. We had so many dreams that we were certain would come true. I graduated with my bachelor's degree after only 3 short years of college. I flew through my major by taking 20+ credits a semester. I imagined that we would be done with school and settling in a home of our own in no time.

But, that didn't happen. Jason's education has been a challenge. He is a wonderful student. An "A" student, to be exact. I'm so proud of him. But, we've been through a series of unfortunate events. Schools losing applications, majors proving to be unfruitful, Heavenly Father telling us we chose the wrong path. We've had door close after door close. It's been almost 10 years of changing plans. And my husband is still trudging on. (More than trudging. Soaring. He is amazing.) He's working on his third degree and will be starting his forth soon. It's been a long, hard road. The end seems so far away. And I'm tired.

I'm not writing this to complain. We've been blessed in so many other ways. I just wanted to point out that we all have trials. No one can compare their loss to another's. Because of our different personalities, the difficulty of a trials depends on the person. I believe that God will stretch us all to our limits. To humble us. To help us grow. For some, it will be fertility, for others, death. Others will deal with financial problems, misunderstandings with relatives, caring for a sick loved one, a mental illness or divorce. But for all, our individual trials will cause heartbreak. We cannot compare, nor can we judge. We never know what another person is dealing with.

I believe that our true character is shown as we handle these trials. If we choose to be offended, and by how quickly we are to forgive and forget. But especially by what we do and to Whom we turn to in our hour of need.

I know that God cares that my heart is broken with every shut door. I know He is mindful of our struggles. I also know that he is directing my little family's path. He is helping me develop virtues that I wouldn't have otherwise. Patience. Humility. Compassion. I know that God loves me and you.


// I love this talk. I've listened and read it multiple times over the past couple weeks. Highly recommended.