Because of Him

This Easter I have loved reading all the posts on Facebook in reference to this video about the Savior:

When I woke up this morning, this is all I could think about so I wanted to post my own list!

Because of Him, I can be better today than I was yesterday.
Because of Him,  I can be confident that miracles are and will be a regular part of my life.
Because of Him, I have faith that all my struggles and trials are for my own good and will make me a better person.
Because of Him, I know the best is yet to come!
Because of Him, I know I will live again
Because of Him, I know I will live again with those I love who have passed away from this life (like my mother)
Because of Him, I can be with my family forever
Because of Him, I have the courage to do what is right - in spite of opposition
Because of Him, I can patiently wait for my future to unfold
Because of Him, I can overcome my weaknesses
Because of Him, I know my true worth!

Pushing Against the Rock

Have you ever felt like your efforts are in vain? Like no matter how hard you try, you can never get ahead?

We have all felt this way at some point in our lives. There is a story that I read years ago that has helped me a lot... I recently found it again and want to share it:

Pushing Against The Rock
Author Unknown

There once was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared to him.

The Lord told him He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock explaining that he was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, and for many days he toiled from sunup to sundown; his shoulder set squarely against the cold massive surface of the rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling his whole day had been spent in vain.

Seeing that the man showed signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture - placing thoughts in the man's mind, such as "Why kill yourself over this? You're never going to move it!" or "Boy, you've been at it a long time and you haven't even scratched the surface!" etc. giving the man the impression the task was impossible and the man was an unworthy servant because he wasn't moving the massive stone.

These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man and he started to ease up in his efforts. "Why kill myself?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough." And this he did or at least planned on doing until, one day, he decided to take his troubles to the Lord.

"Lord," he said, "I have labored hard and long in Your service, putting forth all my strength to do that which You have asked of me. Yet after all this time, I have not even budged that rock even half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"

To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. At least not by yourself. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed, ready to quit. But is this really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled; your back sinewed and brown. Your hands are calloused from constant pressure and your legs have become massive and hard. 

"Through opposition you have grown much and your ability now far surpasses that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock.  But your calling was to be obedient and push, and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom, and this you have done. My friend, I will now move the rock."

Eternal Perspective

Day 12:

I am reminded of an analogy my father told me years ago when I was going through a difficult time... He said that our life is like a huge tapestry and we are seeing the working side of it with all the knots and what appear to be mistakes.  But one day we will see it from an eternal perspective -- the way God sees it now -- and we will see the beautiful tapestry that we have woven throughout our life!

The knots and color changes are all part of it -- Just because we can't always see the patterns clearly from the "working" side of the tapestry doesn't make the design any less beautiful or amazing!

Trust that your life is amazing and beautiful, even when it doesn't appear that way!

Always Believe

Day 11:

You always have the choice to believe that great things are coming!  

I have a sister who was going through a difficult time when she adopted the mantra: "When I have a choice, I choose to believe.... And I always have a choice!" She was amazed at how much better she felt about life when she said that, and before long some great blessings came into her life. 

Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen...

Happiness IS Enough!

Day 10:

Sometimes we have a hard time being happy because we are expecting more than happiness... We are expecting perfection.

Life isn't perfect so stop expecting it to be...

This past year happiness has seemed out of my reach. It feels like I'm so close to being happy again, and then it goes just outside my reach again.  I realized that there were areas in my life where I was clinging to unrealistic expectations. When I lowered those expectations and increased my gratitude, I found happiness again!

Encourage Others

Day 9:
A large part of being truly happy is helping others to be happy. If you help enough other people find happiness, you will surely find it yourself.

You want to be happy? Bring joy to others!
You want to be encouraged? Praise and encourage others!

A Bad Day is Just a Day

Day 8:

We all have bad days - they are just part of life. A bad day doesn't mean a bad life. In fact, several bad days in a row doesn't mean you have a bad life.

I have always followed this simple rule: Whenever it feels like everything is going wrong, just wait 3 days to see if it improves. It always does... especially when you are looking for signs of improvement! I find myself focusing on all the ways my life is looking up and before I know it life is good again!