Ok, so last week I was having this problem. Some might call it being self-righteous, others prideful, others ungrateful, others judgmental. Well...it was probably all of the above. The day before Tyler was going to the hospital for Liver tests, Danny and I were having a rough week and worried. Anyway, I heard from a friend (don't worry, it isn't you, this person doesn't blog or check our blog), about one more thing in her life that was tough. Instead of having added sympathy, I thought, "THAT ISN'T THAT BIG OF A DEAL!! Your kid is healthy, you are soo blessed with so many great things in your life and all you do is complain about everything that is bad or hard. Why can't you see all the good things in your life??" Since, I have realized, maybe this issue really was a big deal and maybe her life really is tough and these things that I perceived to be no big deals, or maybe to me aren't that big of a deal, are in reality really hard. She probably would think the same thing about a lot of the stuff that I worry about. With that being said, I am repenting and have since realized we all have our different trials for a reason and you can't compare them to each other. Like Danny always reminds me, "one persons bloody nose can be harder for them than another persons broken back." It is true. Anyway, I am grateful that I have my own personal trials. They have made me and my family better people and helped us draw closer to God. They are making me more empathetic, even though, for a period I was being unsympathetic. I realize I can't judge people anymore, but instead try to understand them by having added sympathy and empathy. I also realized that it is important to surround yourself with positive people when you are going through a hard time. It makes things easier. I want to get to the point that I can listen to someone talk about a trial, and no matter how big or small, think, "that must be really hard." Life..isn't it great! Always working on becoming better in one way or another. Thank goodness people are living longer these days...I need all the years I can to keep improving. This realization also allowed me to realize how very blessed my family is as I reflected on how great our life is and how many wonderful people we have in it!! We are grateful for you. The pics are some of my greatest blessings!!
6 comments:
You are a remarkable woman. It takes a lot of growth and strength to say those words. Thank you for helping me and my growth. Have a great day!
Amen! You took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you! I often compare my trials to people too and you just CAN'T. The Lord gives us what we can handle...and what seems easy that other people deal with might be really hard for them. That is exactly how I have been feeling lately too though...thanks for the reminder! I wouldn't want to trade my trials for anyone else's. Sometimes I feel like we have had our fair share or crap to deal with (stuff that people don't even know about, and that is something else we can't judge because we don't really know the extent of how people have suffered) but then I count my blessings and I remember what a fabulous life I do have admist my trials...and many other's have it worse. Like I think what you are going through right now would be sooooooo hard and you guys are being such amazing examples you have no idea. Thank you for your strength.
Heidi, you amaze me. You have an eternal perspective, and that is something I admire. I love the picture of you and Danny in front of the temple. Isn't it great to learn from your husband? I love to learn from mine! And I love the temple. That's where we're reminded of what's most important. I still think you go through a lot, though. Thanks for letting me learn from you!
Wow, you are truly awesome, I hope to meet you someday in person.
Great post Heidi.
I know exactly how you feel. I struggle on a day to day basis with bettering myself. It's definitely not an easy task and I applaud you.
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