Hard is Good


Today was Grandma Linda's actual birthday! 
We celebrated with Raspberry Dessert Cake made by Grandpa!



It just warms my heart when I see Jackson in his free time crocheting this cute little hat for his baby brother.

Speaking of Jackson's baby brother, we held a family fast today for him--for a safe delivery and that he'll have the health and strength to fulfill his mission on this earth.  We don't know how long that will be, but we do know we'll be grateful for whatever time we have with him. 

I was reading a book today about Mothering.  It talked about the importance of kids learning life lessons the hard way.  It explained "hard is good".  I second that!  Kevin and I feel like one of the most valuable lessons we can teach our kids is that life isn't fair and it's not meant to be.  We have this little song we sing to them when they start complaining...it only has 7 words and we sing it over and over in various tunes, "You don't always get what you want...you don't always get what you want..." they don't like the song and they aren't too fond of the lesson but they seem to be learning it and I think they're stronger kids because of it.
I think about how excited they all were to find out they were getting a little brother.  And then just a few days later they found out the chances of him surviving were seemingly so slim.  It's been a hard thing for them to try and process but it's been good too.  Any opportunity to see the reality of Christ's Atonement and how it applies to them is a blessing.  Any opportunity to rely on and trust our Heavenly Father is a blessing, and any time they can learn the power of faith and prayer they are blessed.  Elder Holland described faith in these words, "Faith is always pointed towards the future.  Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there.  Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the High Priest of good things to come."

We also make a point of teaching the kids that although life isn't fair, God is more than fair and any loss or disappointment they suffer in this life will be more than made up for in the next.  They know if they aren't able to have their brother in this life, they will have him in the next.

Yes, hard is most definitely good.



Comments

Rachel said…
I'd like to read that book! Would you mind sharing the name and author?
Rachel said…
I'd like to read that book! Would you ind sharing the name???
Stephanie said…
Rob needs to get on board and learn about not giving the kids everything they want. Someday...
Josh and Juli said…
I love that. All of it. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. We'll continue to pray for baby Kevin and a safe delivery and peace and comfort for you and your family in whatever his life's mission is.
Anonymous said…
Jackson, such a sweet boy! Can't believe he will be leaving to Utah State and then a mission. Where had the time gone? Love ya, Tricia
Natalie said…
I love the thoughts that you shared. On Saturday I had the opportunity to go to a Stake Relief Society Conference and one of the Sisters spoke about having hope in the Atonement while going through hard times. She said "He (the Savior)is full of compensation for all that we endure" I've never thought of it in those terms, but it goes along with what you just shared. I truly believe that we will be compensated. She finished off by stating that life can be hard & wonderful at the same time. And that through these time His love will be made manifest and that miracles will come and that we will be transformed into the daughters that he needs us to be. I love you and your family.

Side note: EmmaLee started asking me today what the names are of all of her cousins. I started with your family and as soon as I mentioned Jackson she got soooo excited. She was even more excited to learn that he had a last name too. (She has a friend name Jackson whom she just adores) so I know in her mind her cousin Jackson has got to be just as great! Little does she know...she's right!

Popular Posts