An observation

I have been noticing, being taught, a great truth from the scriptures and the lives of great men and women I love.

Truth: Because you are doing what is right, life is not guaranteed to be easy. 

In fact, it seems to be quite the opposite.  A few examples that come to mind:

Sweet President Monson whose dearest counselor was his wife.  She passed away as He was called to the hardest calling of his life – being the Prophet.

Sariah, supporting her prophet husband, following him to the Promised Land, leaves behind all of her material possessions.  She must live on camel back and in tents for the next eight years and then start from scratch in the Promised Land.  There wasn’t a store to go pick up a new pot.  No neighbors, outside of family, to talk with at the well – no well!

A Bishop in California who was in his office when a man struggling with mental issues came and knocked on his door.  The Bishop was killed leaving a wife and 5 or 6 young children.

My sister and my daughter who struggle with health issues.  Coming home from her mission early.  No babies in one case, only two in another.  Life long debilitating pain and illness.

Marrying in the temple, keeping the commandments, doing everything the right way, only to have babies die or born with special needs.

The early Saints who were persecuted and hunted.  Pioneer women who gave birth in the frigid cold to bury their babies the next day.

Joseph Smith persecuted his whole life.  Baby after baby dying (poor Emma).  Finally killed as a martyr.

Studying 1 Nephi chapter 1 tonight, I found it interesting that in the first verse Nephi says this:

and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days

and in the last this:

I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen

Another observation –” being highly favored by the Lord”  I think we have misinterpreted this phrase.  Expectations – money, health, righteous children, ease of path.  These don’t seem to be the promised blessings implied.

Interesting.  In my own life, when things are harder, when crazy stuff is going on, I have been blessed by the closeness of heaven, by gentle and very personal reminders of God’s love for me, and undeniable witnesses that He knows me and exactly what I am going through.

I am grateful that even if we do live in a crazy, fallen world full of weird, hard stuff, that our Father does know us and knows how best to succor us in the moment we need it.