Be The Change...

These past few months have been extremely trying and challenging for my hubs and me as we have encountered so many *life changes* that were, for the most part, very unexpected. But things HAD to change and that's how life is...constantly changing. During this time, I have shed many tears, both happy and sad. I have learned many lessons and have let go of some unresolved issues that I have come to realize will never be resolved...and that's O.K.

I was cleaning out my computer yesterday and ran across these sayings that I hadn't seen in a few years:

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever."

"To believe in something and not live it, is dishonest."

"The weak never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." ~Mahatma Ghandi

I LOVE these sayings! When I re-read them yesterday, my heart was touched as never before. When we encounter trials and challenges that test our very souls, I believe that we become like pliable putty that can then be molded into the person we are supposed to be. Through our desperation, we become submissive to the will of the Father and find within us a resolve to do "whatever it takes" to find the peace and happiness we know is possible. At least such is the case with me.

I went to a Womens Retreat with my ward the other night and there was a devotional where 3 women spoke of trials and how to find the *Lighthouse* during the storms of life. All 3 were amazing and touched me, but one woman spoke to my heart and gave me a totally new perspective on how we should look at our life's trials.

This young woman is married with 5 children. Currently, her husband is in a psychiatric unit suffering from depression and anxiety. She has stood by him through this and visits him regularly. She spoke of one particular visit: It was a Sunday. She had come directly from church and was wearing her Sunday best, fully made up-he was in his hospital gown and had a scruffy face due to the fact that he is not allowed any sharp objects and together they sat reading Psalms. She had one leg draped over his lap and her head was resting on his shoulder. Suddenly, she had an image in her mind that was clear and very real, of an angel painting the two of them. She said that she thought how pathetic they must have looked and why would anyone (angel or otherwise) want to paint a picture of the two of them sitting together, looking like they did in a psychiatric unit??...then it hit her...

She realized that because the Lord can see the *Big Picture*, He sees the Beauty in our trials and looks at them as Works of Art. He knows that there will be a mess before we're through, but He also knows that we can emerge more beautiful and stronger than ever, thus creating a great Masterpiece.

Wow...that struck a chord with me. It gave me a new perspective and a new resolve to work on embracing my trials. What Brad and I have gone through these past two months has made us stronger and, although we have not yet created a masterpiece, we are in the process of creating something more beautiful then before. We are stronger and more resiliant. We are more humble and more forgiving. We are kinder and  more gentle. We are far from perfect, but we are on the path. Change had to come...things couldn't stay the same. So now instead of waiting for everyone else and everything else to change, we realize that we must "Be The Change".

Peace has come to us. That gentle peace that comes from knowing that we are not alone; that we are being watched over and that we are loved by so many, both here on earth and in the Heavens above.

One of my most favorite scriptures is Isaiah 41:10

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

What more can I ask?