Life’s a test

Happy Friday,

How is everyone doing on this fine, wet and cool Friday evening? It looks like it’s going to be a cool and wet weekend, so with that being said, do you have any plans for the weekend? My plans? To stay in, lite the fire and write, read and craft. Shoot me a text or drop me a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

Today I thought I’d discuss, tests, no, not the ones we take in school, instead, the tests we face each and every day in life. It seems as though we conquer one dilemma, and before the dust settles, we are faced with yet, another dilemma. John says it’s the Universe teaching us lessons and the more lessons we learn in this life, the more evolved we’ll be in the next life.

With that in mind, we would need to believe we evolve into a higher form after we pass on, or that we come back, reincarnation or who really knows. I guess it’s whatever one believes in or believes what happens to us once we die, and that’s okay, we all have different beliefs and, in my opinion, that’s what makes this life truly amazing.

John often says he prays for strength and understanding and to have God’s will done. When you think about it, that’s really a cool thing to pray for. I guess I feel that way too because, I’m always asking God to direct me and keep me on the path that he sees fit for me. I constantly pray that God will use me in some capacity in this life to do his will. I want to help others. I enjoy doing for others, well, not as much as I used to, I do tend to get tired more often and sometimes, I feel like I’m carrying a load bigger than I can handle. I think at times I want to take a break from life, but then I remind myself, God wouldn’t have me go through more than I can handle.

“Life is going to test your strength every single day and some days you barely have enough in you to continue on. Just remember that you came into this world because of one thing, you were strong enough to live it.”-Roger Lee.

How true those words are. Think about it, when you look back a really difficult situation, one you never thought you would get through, but somehow, you survived it and look at you now. Ok, for those still facing difficulties, I don’t have an answer for you. I mean, I know it’s easier for me to sit here and say, pray about it, or God is there for you, but when you are facing super difficult situations and there doesn’t seem to be an answer, doubt could set in. All I know is this, for me, I need to have faith in something, a higher power and I choose God, and I understand if you don’t or can’t. I hope for those that can’t, I pray that God gives you strength to continue on in your battle. I do know this much, whoever you are, you are loved by someone or someone’s.

“When you wake up in the morning, remind yourself how blessed you are that you get another chance to live another day and the opportunity to continue moving forward on your incredible journey.”-Roger Lee.

I know sometimes it’s hard to be thankful for another day. I was there once upon a time not long ago. I didn’t see a way out of my marriage, my religion/cult, the life that I was forced to live. I’m still struggling with aftershocks from my life before, but then, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come and how I am beyond blessed to have the family and friends I do have in my life. John’s the cherry on top of my blessings for sure.

God has directed me to tell my story, and I’ve done that and from simply writing about my life experiences, I’ve had people respond to thank me, because they can now see it’s possible for things to get better, and oh my gosh, how I do hope that things get better for every one of you that has reached out and shared your troubles.

I met a young girl not long ago as I was walking out of the local pizza place in my town, and she was crying about events in her life. We exchanged words and I told her about my blog, and she asked me to start sending it to her. She’s a stranger to me still in that, I only know her name, but she’s a part of my story because she trusted a stranger one night to listen to her and reassure her that she’s worthy to be loved, valued and wanted. I shared with her that my own mother hasn’t spoken to me in over six years simply because I changed my views on religion and while that hurts me, it makes me stronger too. God has shown me that type of cruelty, especially from a parent is the absolute worst, yet it, taught me that I don’t want to be that type of person, only giving conditional love. I’m not sure that was my lesson, however, I think I’ve passed the test by moving on and building stronger relationships with my own children.

I know John is always saying he’s not sure why he’s given certain tests, but he always concludes with, whatever God’s will be, then that’s how I hope the conclusion is, then he says, it’s time to pray for strength, understanding and God will.

Life is a test, and we can face each and every one of them with resistance, with anger, with an I don’t care attitude, but may I suggest, we maybe take on the mindset of, what can I learn and how can I help others.

Life is always going to present us with tests, and I believe, it’s always going to show us beauty at the end of every hardship. It might not happen right away, but I believe if we have faith, something good will happen.

No matter what we face, there’s always tomorrow to start over. Each day gives us a new opportunity for a do over. I don’t think that means we won’t have the same struggle, but we can change the mindset and how we view and react to the troubles/tests and situations, at least that’s what I’m trying to remember.

Well, my dear readers, I do hope today has brought you happiness and that you found something to be thankful for. I’m thankful for each and every one of you and I’m thankful for having this opportunity to be a part of your day. Until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++