What More Can I Learn?

A week ago Tuesday my dad took me out to breakfast and we had a really great conversation about something that's been on my mind a lot. The premise of this conversation was my sweet Grandpa Thomas (who passed away the Friday after this took place). For years he struggled with debilitating back pain/severe scoliosis and dementia among other things. It was hard to watch him struggle. But, he took on the trial with dignity and never ending patience and faith. He could make a room full of people smile, even when he was in pain. But as the years passed we continued to watch him get worse and worse. 

It's true that trials help us grow and become closer to Christ. Rather than asking "why me" we should ask what we can learn. I agree with this one hundred percent, and it's kept me going during some of my hardest challenges. For years I remember thinking that there was a lot that we all could learn from my grandpa's experience. I know I learned so much watching my grandpa, seeing my grandma continually care for him, and also watching how his children worked together to help him. I learned and understood better what it means to be long-suffering and endure to the end. I learned the definition of selfless service from my grandma. 

But over the past couple of months I've wondered why God would make my grandpa suffer so much. Why wouldn't Heavenly Father just bring my grandpa relief from his mortal pain? I didn't see what else there was that we could learn from this experience. It seemed to me like it was useless suffering. 
As I expressed these feelings to my dad, he brought up an important point. He said that Heavenly Father isn't making my grandpa suffer. Rather, his suffering is just a part of this natural, mortal life in a fallen world. The thing he said that has really stuck with me is, maybe my grandpa's trial wasn't just so he could learn something from it. Maybe his suffering was so great so that his joy will be that much greater. I know that my grandpa is experiencing tremendous joy now at having a healthy mind and being capable of serving like he has always wanted. And I know that his joy is so much greater now because he experienced the difficult trial of a deteriorating body here on earth. 

There are an abundance of situations and illnesses that bring trials and difficulty into our lives here in mortality. I know that in all of these circumstances there is an opportunity for growth and learning. They bring us closer to Christ and help us understand His atoning sacrifice. But I also think it is a privilege that we get to experience such trials because in experiencing such suffering, our joy and happiness in the end will be magnified beyond what we can imagine. 
"Be assured that there is a safe harbor. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Your Heavenly Father-who knows when even a sparrow falls-knows of your heartache and suffering. He loves you and wants the best for you. Never doubt this...while He does not always intervene in the course of events, He has promised the faithful peace even in their trials and tribulations." -Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
There have been many times in my life when I've wondered what more can I learn? But now I realize that there are some trials that we simply have to endure. And if we endure with dignity and a calm spirit, with faith in God, we will be rewarded with the joy of the Savior. For how can we hope to know joy without suffering? Righteousness without wickedness? Good without bad? Life without death. Happiness without misery? 
"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things." -2 Nephi 2:11
The beauty of this whole concept is that this promised fullness of joy is only possible because of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. He suffered all and experienced beyond what is humanly comprehensible. His sorrow reached below the lowest of low. And He did it all because He loved us. And because He drank of the bitter cup, we can now look to the future with hope and trust, believing that Jesus Christ will help us with the burden of our own bitter cups. How amazing is it that we have an all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipotent Father in Heaven who is concerned with our well being and our happiness!
"Peace be unto they soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." -D&C 121: 7-8

 Simply,
Kenzie M

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pumpkin Pancakes

Image
I remember when I was younger, how it was always a special treat when my mom made pumpkin pancakes. It was probably one of the most glorious smells! We would cover  them in powdered sugar. My mom would say, "You probably don't need that much sugar." To which we would smugly reply, "But it falls off when you pick it up." Or, "it's not that  much!" Oh the days... I've always loved pumpkin pancakes, and so I knew it was time to make my own recipe, without all of the sugar. Now I think of pumpkin pancakes as a normal breakfast and not just a treat on a special occasion. I figure, it adds one more vegetable/fruit (whatever it is!) to my day! I created this recipe on a whim, and it actually turned out really good! I came up with the idea after my visit to the doctor. I've been trying to pack in as many fruits and vegetables, including in my baked goods. I figured putting pumpkin in pancakes was only reasonable...and delicious! I mad
Read more

Mock 'Cream of Broccoli Soup' w/ Quinoa

Image
Like I mentioned earlier, I've gotten back on the green smoothie train, which I am loving! I forgot how wonderful they make me feel! These green smoothies are cold and refreshing, but I knew that when the winter came it would be harder for me to drink these everyday. But I still want the benefits from these nutrition powerhouses. So I got thinking. And I thought that there's gotta be a way to make a hot version of these smoothies, but not necessarily with the same ingredients. That was when I got the idea of soup! Now,  I know your probably thinking, "Great. Yippee. What's new?" However, this soup is not just your average, ordinary soup. It's basically a hot green smoothie without the fruit. Okay, now your probably really grossed out. But don't be, because this soup is AMAZING!!! As far as I know (keep in mind I haven't had one for a long time) it tastes like a store-bought, Campbell's can of Cream of Broccoli Soup. It's incredibly crea
Read more

Tropical Popsicle (in a bowl) no sugar

Image
Tropical Popsicle  Yup, I'm a poet and I didn't even know it! Okay, so maybe it's not a perfect rhyme, but it sounds musical doesn't it? And so it should...this deliciously cold, icy, fruity dish will not only be music to your ears, but to every taste bud in your mouth! It's the perfect solution to a blistering hot summer day. In fact, it could be considered medicine...you don't want heatstroke....so you eat this! :) Okay, moving on. Anyway. It was SOOOO hot today here in Cambodia! My mom and I decided we wanted to get out of the house (the sun always looks so wonderful from the inside) so we hopped on our bike and rode to some furniture stores (we're in search of a couch that is American-people size). Add the fact that we're already sweating and hot from the bike ride, these stores don't keep their AC on in order to save money. Here we were searching in a hot, sticky, musty furniture store for about an hour. Then we rode home. Needle
Read more