When you think it's not any good

I am always amazed at how pitiful I can get when things are not going the way I want them to go. But I am also amazed at how my Heavenly Father helps pull me out of the dark and back into the brightness. I am not going to go into detail but pretty much life has been crazy. I have had so many ups and downs I am getting sea sick. But I am grateful for the challenges I am facing and that I am able to recognize the many blessings I have in my life. I know that this too shall pass. I also know that my troubles are small compared to the many troubles others face.

Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways. Whether through scriptures, your family, or a 14 year old girl's diary, he guides us through our lives. You are now asking yourself what 14 year old girl. Well I have been reading Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and I came across a few inspirational words as I read the book. Here is a young girl, having to hide in an attic with family and strangers in order to survive WWII. Everyday they have the same routine as they hide for more than 2 years. But imagine yourself at age 13 you have to gather up all you can, wearing several layers of clothing, and sneak into an attic of a business building and remain there till who knows when. The only entertainment you have is radio telling you of a war that is happening around you, only being able to eat so much, and studying and reading the same books over and over. But also think of yourself as a teenager trapped in a building, not able to go outside -- and on top of that, maybe you will never feel the direct sunbeams of the sun every again. Depression, I know for sure, would set in for me. I think of this past week when I didn't have a car and how crazy I went staying home for just 3 or 4 days! After about one year and a half of hiding, this amazing girl writes:

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely,

or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can

be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and

that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple

beauty of Nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly

always will, I know that then there will always be

comfort for every sorrow, whatever the

circumstances may be. And I firmly believe

that nature brings solace in all troubles."

Wow! How beautiful, inspirational, and wise is this statement! Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. He knows that times are hard and that we will stumble but He provides us with simple things to remind us that we are not alone. Like Anne states, God wants - he wishes - us to be happy. We are here to feel joy! Joy in his gospel! Joy in Our Saviour! Joy in building ourselves into the clean spirits we are meant to be. Nature is a simple thing he gives us and I hope as we enter a new spring, a time when everything is clean and starting over that we too can start anew and be comforted in our sorrows.

Make lemonade, see the glass half full, and know that this too shall pass! I know that positivity has made me more mature in handling my hard times. This positivity comes from knowing that God is there and through our Savior, we will once again be in their presence. I hope that I hear them say, "Well done!"

"Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!...And whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courange and faith will never perish in misery!" ~ Anne Frank