The Lord Has a Plan For Us

Today I went to a Graveside Ceremony. A sweet colleague of mine, lost her baby. She had a healthy, full term pregnancy. Everything looked great. She went in to have her baby right on schedule. Her baby was born not breathing. They could not revive her. They lost her. My heart yearns for this family. I can't imagine being that close. Planning and awaiting for this special day to arrive, to then have it all taken from you in an instance. To look at that sweet little body, and know you will not share that life with her. You will not see her take her first steps, say her first words, or send her off to her first day of school. Well, at least not in this life...What a heart wrenching pain. I could not stop staring at that little teeny tiny pink casket. It broke my heart. Their bishop gave a beautiful message. He talked on how hard it is sometimes to understand the Lord's will. But in due time, maybe not even this lifetime, we will understand. There is a plan. There is a reason.

The Lord loves us. He wants us to be strong. He wants us to have compassion. He wants us to feel joy. He wants us to have unwavering faith. He wants us to grow. He wants us to become more like Him. None of those things can happen without trials. Without sorrow. Without opportunities to be refined. It can hurt. And ache. And make absolute no sense. But it is for our growth. I know that if we remember that the Lord has a plan for us, we will make it through whatever life throws our way. Staying close to Him is the only way to survive life's struggles. 

I love this quote. It gives much comfort. "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."

-Gordon B. Hinckley