Surviving the Storms

Today as I was driving to work and I turned on the radio to listen to Glenn Beck like I usually do in the morning. He was talking with a gentleman who wrote a book about being a survivor. How did Glenn know that I needed advice on this very day of coping and surviving?

As I arrived at school, I remembered that we had an assembly today. The guest presenter was Stephen Nasser, a holocaust survivor who in a family of 21 people was the only one who survived that horrible event in history. He spoke about surviving the storms of life and that feeling sorry for yourself doesn’t help. How did Stephen know that I needed help and direction on surviving the storms of life?

Glenn or Stephen didn’t know that I needed help today, but I can assure you that my Heavenly Father knew and they were both answers to my pleading prayers. I am grateful for prayer and for more importantly answers to prayers. I am grateful that I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows, loves and watches over me and my family. I am so blessed.

I also read an article today written by President Faust that has also brought me comfort and once again taught me that the tests of this life are just that….”tests of faith.” He states, “Who are good parents? They are those who have lovingly, prayerfully, and earnestly tried to teach their children by example and precept “to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.” This is true even though some of their children are disobedient or worldly. It is very unfair and unkind to judge conscientious and faithful parents because of some of their children rebel or stray from the teachings and love of their parents. Let us not be arrogant but rather humbly grateful if our children are obedient and respectful of our teachings of the ways of the Lord. To those brokenhearted parents who have been righteous, diligent, and prayerful in the teaching of their disobedient children, we say to you, the Good Shepherd is watching over them. God knows and understands your deep sorrow. There is hope. “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” (D&C 6:36)

As I have struggled through trials with adult children who are lost on the path, I have come to know that even our Heavenly Father has had the same experiences when some of His children have used their agency to make poor choices. He continues to love them and has never blamed Himself for their unwise choices. Why should I not have to struggle just as He? Has my faith been tested over and over? Yes. Do I at times feel like others judge Lynn and me because not all of our children are active in the church and it must be the parents fault because they didn’t do something right? Yes. Do I know deep in my soul that Lynn and I are good parents and have done all we can to lead our children on the path of righteousness? Yes. Do I know that there is a God and there is a plan? Yes. Do I know that there is a caring Savior who is there for me and my family? Yes. Do I understand that there are divine solutions to each of our most distressing problems? Yes. Will I always be strong and never question why me again? No. But I do know that because of Christ’s atonement there is an “ever-present power to call upon in everyday life,” (President Packer), I will be able to survive my storms along the way and find “the peace of life.”