If I lived in the days of Job, I would have been one of the neighbors. One of the neighbors who would have asked Job, “What the heck have you done to deserve this punishment?”
I would have never been Job because the unfortunate reality is Satan would have been correct. The moment my wealth, family, and health were taken, I would have cried to heaven, “Why Me!”
Honestly, I cry to heaven, “Why Me?” the second anything goes wrong. I have a drama streak that refuses to be subdued.
A recent conversation with wonder Willow left me in stitches (of course) and with a little thought bouncing around in my head.
We were having an email conversation about perspective. She had a rather trying day and it seemed that everything that could go wrong had gone wrong. Instead of saying, “WHY ME!” she said, “That’s just how life is sometimes.”
A simple statement, that likely in her mind had no profound meaning, however, that line stuck with me, “That’s just life.”
You mean in life sometimes you have a bad day? Are you telling me that a bad day is not punishment? Are you going to tell me that things can just happen?
At the edge of mind, there is this thought that is trying to form. An idea that my mind refuses to form entirely. I am frustrated and I’m trying to grasp this important concept that just refuses to become clear.
It is like geometry, I don’t see the pattern, the angle, or the proof. However, I keep being told by others wiser than I that it is there.
Here is my half formed thought.
I am a daughter of Heavenly Father and he loves me. He sent his son to die and suffer for my sins. All that he asks in return is that we return to him. This life is not a punishment. The things that happen to us in this life are not a punishment. What happened to Job was not a punishment. (I really don’t understand this part) What happened to Job was a blessing. ( I REALLY don’t understand this part) What I need to understand is that he loves me. Flaws and all he loves me and wants the best for me. This means that life is going to happen and it is a blessing not a punishment. (Again, this is like geometry and I don’t fully understand how this could possibly be true)
The thought is there and I know that there is truth. I guess the hard part for me is just accepting that this is the truth.
Not that long ago Brent was tutoring me in geometry. The question I was working on asked if one angle was congruent to another. I knew that the angles were congruent but I didn’t know why. I asked Brent why the angles are congruent and he said, “Because they are the same.” “I know they are the same but why are they congruent?” He said, “Because they are.” No lie this conversation continued for 20 minutes with my frustration mounting to the point of tears. I finally said, “So you’re telling me I’m answering this question the angles are congruent because they are the same. That is stupid and redundant and I’m going to get this question wrong and will be your fault.” He shrugged his shoulders and said, “That is the answer!”
I submitted the assignment and when it was returned, I full expected to get the problem wrong. However, I didn’t get the problem wrong it was right. I still don’t understand what kind of answer, “The angles are the same because the angles are the same." is.
I guess the same can be said for life. I want to make the answer harder than it is. One day I’m going to understand that it isn’t as hard as I think.
I would have never been Job because the unfortunate reality is Satan would have been correct. The moment my wealth, family, and health were taken, I would have cried to heaven, “Why Me!”
Honestly, I cry to heaven, “Why Me?” the second anything goes wrong. I have a drama streak that refuses to be subdued.
A recent conversation with wonder Willow left me in stitches (of course) and with a little thought bouncing around in my head.
We were having an email conversation about perspective. She had a rather trying day and it seemed that everything that could go wrong had gone wrong. Instead of saying, “WHY ME!” she said, “That’s just how life is sometimes.”
A simple statement, that likely in her mind had no profound meaning, however, that line stuck with me, “That’s just life.”
You mean in life sometimes you have a bad day? Are you telling me that a bad day is not punishment? Are you going to tell me that things can just happen?
At the edge of mind, there is this thought that is trying to form. An idea that my mind refuses to form entirely. I am frustrated and I’m trying to grasp this important concept that just refuses to become clear.
It is like geometry, I don’t see the pattern, the angle, or the proof. However, I keep being told by others wiser than I that it is there.
Here is my half formed thought.
I am a daughter of Heavenly Father and he loves me. He sent his son to die and suffer for my sins. All that he asks in return is that we return to him. This life is not a punishment. The things that happen to us in this life are not a punishment. What happened to Job was not a punishment. (I really don’t understand this part) What happened to Job was a blessing. ( I REALLY don’t understand this part) What I need to understand is that he loves me. Flaws and all he loves me and wants the best for me. This means that life is going to happen and it is a blessing not a punishment. (Again, this is like geometry and I don’t fully understand how this could possibly be true)
The thought is there and I know that there is truth. I guess the hard part for me is just accepting that this is the truth.
Not that long ago Brent was tutoring me in geometry. The question I was working on asked if one angle was congruent to another. I knew that the angles were congruent but I didn’t know why. I asked Brent why the angles are congruent and he said, “Because they are the same.” “I know they are the same but why are they congruent?” He said, “Because they are.” No lie this conversation continued for 20 minutes with my frustration mounting to the point of tears. I finally said, “So you’re telling me I’m answering this question the angles are congruent because they are the same. That is stupid and redundant and I’m going to get this question wrong and will be your fault.” He shrugged his shoulders and said, “That is the answer!”
I submitted the assignment and when it was returned, I full expected to get the problem wrong. However, I didn’t get the problem wrong it was right. I still don’t understand what kind of answer, “The angles are the same because the angles are the same." is.
I guess the same can be said for life. I want to make the answer harder than it is. One day I’m going to understand that it isn’t as hard as I think.
Comments
The way I see it is this, 'Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy.' In my mind, and it is a Pollyanna place to be, we're supposed to eek out all the joy we possibly can from life. Bad things will happen, but they tend to happen in fewer frequency that the good things. When good times arrive, enjoy it enough that the memory will carry you through the bad. (See? total Pollyanna)
Oh, and though Monday kicked my butt... by Thursday we were blessed with outragious overtime. On Monday, I couldn't concieve how we would pay for the truck repairs in a timely fashion (I hate having a balance on my credit card); however, with the overtime worked, the truck is more than paid for. Blessings.... the Lord wants to bless us, we just have to be willing to accept the blessings we need, not the blessings we want.
Love you Krissi... you make me smile everyday!!!
I haven't lost a child. I haven't lost two children (2 years apart) like my brother in law's sister (I guess that's a little less complicated). Why do bad things happen to good people? Good temple recommend holding, church going people? I'm convinced it's not only to make them stronger, but everyone around them as well.
Chin up! It's early out all week. ;)