Joy

 



The last two months have been extra challenging for me physically.


My rheumatology office had an error with their phone system so didn’t get messages even though I called daily for two weeks and I didn’t get my medication refills.


Then my insurance changed how they would refill my infusions and it delayed the process so much I missed a full treatment cycle.


The weather changed back and forth causing some additional pain and mostly I was exhausted for weeks on end.


Yet life also continued.  Alex came home from her mission and then turned around and headed off to Harvard - all of which is joyful but travel is difficult for me physically.


A close family friend passed away leading to more travel and additional emotional fatigue.


And of course the dog was sick, George’s truck broke down and somehow during all of that we still needed to eat, work, and carry on.


It’s called life.  


I have been too tired to do much writing and posting but this morning my mind is full of peace and love from Heavenly Father.


We’ve been studying 2 Nephi and how “Adam fell that  men might be and men are that they might have joy.”


MIGHT have joy doesn’t mean every second is bliss.


Yet the same physical body that is frustrating me is the very vessel that also allows me to feel every joy I have.  


One of my favorite talks on that topic is by Elder Hales.  


He promises, “My dear brothers and sisters, when pain, tests, and trials come in life, draw near to the Savior. “Wait upon the Lord, … look for him”  Isa. 8:17  2 Ne. 18:17 “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”  Isa. 40:31 Healing comes in the Lord’s time and the Lord’s way; be patient.”


Look for his hand and you will find it.


Yesterday we were struggling to find a way for me to get to my long awaited and delayed infusion since George’s truck was still in the shop and Ella needed the car to go to work.


But George was able to get a ride from a friend to the auto shop and when he arrived the mechanic said his truck wasn’t quite ready. 


But that he was lending us his personal vehicle until it was.


Tender mercies.  Human connections.  


Often our strength will come through the help of others.  


And I firmly testify that every pain I experience helps be better understand and lift others who go through their own pains.


So that I may be an instrument in His hand.  


And have great joy. 

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