The ancient prophet Lehi, understanding that his life was coming to a close, gathered his children to instruct them one last time. As part of that instruction, he explained that “…men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25) The joy he spoke of was both about the life we live now and the life to come.

It can seem rare to have that joy in our daily, ordinary lives. This last week I received two phone calls from friends and fellow disciples of Jesus Christ. They were reminders of the joy we can hold onto as we follow the Savior. Let me share…

One of my earlier posts was entitled “I Thirst.” If you go back and read it, you will discover that it is a poem written by a dear friend who was caring for her dying daughter and her daughter’s three children. This is the valley she was called to walk through for six years. It was a dark path with only occasional beams of sunlight breaking through. There were many, many days of sadness, grief and deep sorrow, days of questioning ‘why,’ and days of anger and frustration.

Yet through it all she continued her conversation with God, accepted His guidance and the comfort of the Holy Ghost. She never doubted His love for her though she doubted her ability to endure at times. At one point she joked that she wondered why God had such a high opinion of her that he thought she could handle these challenges. Laura had given her life over to caring for her daughter for six years, and during the last year seldom left the house, partly due to Jaclyn’s decline and partly due to her handicap van having mechanical issues that made it unreliable.

When her daughter passed last fall, Laura wondered what she would do now, how would she cope. Slowly she began to see her and the grandchildren’s lives changing in a most wonderful way. Her call the other day was to share the joy and gratitude she had for the blessings that have been poured out on her and her family.  Laura loves lists, so in a nod to her, I’m going to list the blessings she shared during that phone call:

• The simple joy of being able to get out again because she was able to replace her handicap van;
• With a desire to get back to work, she applied for and interviewed for 3 jobs. She was offered the one with the most flexibility and best pay.
• The job offer came through at the top of the salary range, which she hadn’t expected.
• The grandchildren, whom she’d been homeschooling, were able to enroll in a private Christian school close to home. They all love it!
• There is a peace in her home that all can feel.

She stated that the blessings continue to come and how overwhelming and humbling is the grace of God. Now that she has journeyed through that particular valley she can see the Lord’s hand in her life during that time and His refining touch.

My other friend called because she had been struggling with her church family. She felt her enthusiasm for the gospel and her desire to promote fellowship among the congregation was being misunderstood. Her perception was that people just didn’t want to help. She felt she was being judged and discriminated against because she is from a minority race, she is self-employed so not working a normal 9-5 job, and she lives very modestly. As she explained, “I don’t live in the nicest house, or have a car or lots of nice things.” What she does have is a burning desire to bring others to the Lord, to serve Him and to foster love and care throughout the congregation. The criticism and non-support she felt left her questioning whether her church attendance really mattered. But, because she had a testimony of the gospel and the Lord’s love for her, she continued to attend and to try to involve everyone in various activities.

When she called the other night, she explained that she had been receiving blessing after blessing. The Lord had heard and answered her prayers as many reached out to help her with recent activities, expressed their appreciation for her, and donated time and goods. Even one of her church family that had been so critical of her came and shared her love for this sister. She cried with joy as she told me of the softened hearts, the willing hands and the many little miracles during this 2-week period.

After her many months of struggling, the Lord let her know how pleased He was with her efforts. He softened hearts, He inspired others to help, He worked through willing followers to let her know she was valued and loved.

Once we become followers of Jesus Christ we often think that means our lives will be easier, that there will be no challenges, hard times or dark valleys. The reality is that the Lord never promised us an easy road, only the strength and help we need to get through the difficult times. He also promised us joy in Him, in knowing that He is with us now and one day we will be with Him again. As Christ instructed his followers:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned to joy.” (John 16:20)

The Lord specifically stated we will be tried, tested and refined in this life because that is part of mortality. He does not author our trials, rather there are people who will exercise their agency in a way that will negatively affect us. We will make choices that lead to difficult consequences. We may find ourselves facing the loss of a job, friendship or loved one, and dealing with addiction or staggering debt. And sometimes, not at all because of what we are doing, we will suffer some major setback like cancer, a housefire, or a debilitating accident. Think of Adam, Abraham, Moses, Job, David, and Mary and Joseph. They all had very challenging lives, yet they kept their focus on the Lord and His goodness.

“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Is. 48:10)

The Lord loves us and wants to help us. If we keep our focus on Him, we will have the joy that comes from being right before the Lord. As the Savior told his disciples:

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Although we will walk through dark times in our lives when we think we might not have the strength to endure, if we turn to the Lord, not away from Him, He will sustain us and bless us. We can have peace and joy many times during the duration of our lives. And when we meet Him again, our joy will be full.

Wishing you peace in Christ,

Audrey