Monday, August 8, 2011

The Test



Growing up, I have heard this song more than 100 times.  Now this song rings true even more.  If you look at the world there is so many people who struggle each day. I think we all ask the question, "why"?  It would be very easy to walk the path of sorrow and self-pity, but instead of focusing on what's wrong with the world, I see so many people who use their trials to lift others and be inspiring.  Thanks to the internet, blogs, and emails, there are beautiful people out there who focus on the good and make the world a little more tolerable. I have definitely used this time to find peace with my situation. It's true, we weren't sent hear to live a life of perfect ease. We were sent here to deal with trials and to be tested. To be forced to choose to walk the path of either the darkness, sorrow, and self-pity, or to choose light, joy, and peace. Each choice is always around, there for our taking, it's what we choose to see that will define our life. Everybody deserves some bad days still, but it truly is our decision to make it one bad day, not a bad life. It's true, I might not understand why this happened, and just because I have this large trial, doesn't make me think that there still won't be more ahead. Like the words of this song said though, "but didn't he say we could live with him forever more, well and whole, if we but patiently endure."  When things are hard, it's definitely hard to remain faithful, but these experiences truly are to strengthen us and help us grow, to learn, to love, and to appreciate the good that truly is all around. Through this trial I have been blessed to meet many wonderful new friends, to spend quality time with my boys and family, to be exposed to so many acts of kind service, feel the love of so many prayers, and to feel the constant support of everyone around me, and for so many things like this, I am grateful for my tests.

6 comments:

Mary said...

Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing! You are someone I look up to! Your faith, and attitude is amazing!

Joel & Alli said...

this is such a great post steph, you are such an amazing example and inspiration for me and im sure many others. Love you!!

Courtney said...

This song was sung at my brothers funeral... I absolutely LOVE this song, even though I cry every time I hear it. The last verse really gets me.

You truly are an amazing woman and I am so proud to say that I know you, even though we aren't best friends who talk all the time. Keep your head up, girl!

Brittany said...

You are truly such an inspiration to me Steph!!!! Absolutely amazing! I am proud to say you are one of my best friends. Love ya!

Kyle and Tiffany said...

I love that song. You are a wonderful example, Steph. I loved what you said about only letting it be a bad day and not a bad life. Very profound! I love you!

Tiffany said...

I last heard this song at my great-aunt's funeral. She died of bone cancer, and went through a long period of excruciating pain before she passed away. When her daughters sang it at her funeral, I leaned on my mom's shoulder and bawled and bawled.
Very inspirational.
I am so impressed with your progress and great attitude!