Things to Ponder

Over the past two weeks, I have had two questions posed to me that have caused me to stop and think, and think some more, and then some more. The first question that was asked of me was, "Do you have compassion for yourself?" This question took me by surprise. I am definitely not the type of person who fells sorry for myself. I understand that sometimes crappy things happen in our lives and I think that we just need to deal with it as best we can. My personal motto has been "suck it up princess" when life is bumpy and difficult. However, as this conversation progressed and I have thought more and more about this question, I have come to realize that feeling compassion is not just feeling sorry for others, but feelings of tenderness and mercy, of showing others and ourselves that it is okay to cry and be sad when hard, crappy things happen in life. Some times REALLY awful things happen over which we have no control and it is okay to be a little bit broken because of it, just don't wallow. When you are ready, gently pick yourself up and move forward as best as you can.

The second question was asked to today while I was sitting in church. The question was "How has Christ been the Savior of your world?" I think the better question is, when has He not been the Savior of my world. As I thought about this question today, I have thought of several instances when my world was crashing down around me, when life as I knew it was no longer. The one constant through out my whole life has been the Savior and his love. He is always there to pick me up and assure me that everything is going to be okay. When my oldest sister was in a very serious car accident and her life hung in balance, Christ was there instructing me,through the words of my wonderful mission president, to expect miracles. As a result I did expect miracles, and miracles, I saw. When I was stressed out wondering how my family would be okay after my dad lost his job, Christ was there reminding me to "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin....If God so clothe the grass of the field...even so will he clothe you, if you are not of little faith." Christ has been my Savior by providing me with shoulders to cry on and people to laugh and rejoice with in the form of friends and family. Christ is always there to pick me up when I stumble and catch me when I fall. He understands me and my weaknesses. He is there - most often in the form of a friend, a classmate or a family member to strengthen me and help me when I need it. Christ is indeed the Savior of my world.