Scripture for Thought

So, my scripture for thought today is actually going to be two scriptures. I've had a lot of thoughts lately about different scriptures to write about, but these two seemed to fit what I'm going through most right now. With that being said I don't want to throw anyone reading this into a state of panic that something is wrong. It's not. Right now I'm learning a lot about faith, patience, and trusting in the Lord. Ben is getting ready to graduate. We're expecting a baby boy in the next few months. Ben will get a full time job who knows where. Basically, when I look to where we are going to be in the next several months, I see a lot of blank stuff. Lots of possibilities with no clear direction at present. And sometimes that drives me crazy. I have things I would like to happen and when it doesn't look like it will, I get frustrated. Most of my life up until this point has been pretty straightforward. I was in school. I chose where to go for college. I finished my degree. I got married. I got a job. Things made sense. I did what I needed to do when I needed to do it. Now with Ben finishing school and a lot of our life direction coming from what happens to him, I feel a little lost. Where will we go now? When do we go? How will that affect our family? What about the baby? Will I be a good mom? Stuff like that. And, due to the fact that I am pregnant, I sometimes get more emotional than usual about this stuff. And when this happens, Ben is wonderful and reminds me of a few things. First, that he loves me. Second that things will work out and be okay. And third, that some of the little things that I worry about aren't really that big in the eternal scheme of things. I have a wonderful husband. Now, enough preface and on to the actual scriptures, right? Well, it's not the typical Proverbs 3:5 like it sounds like, although that is also a fitting scripture. My two scriptures are 2 Nephi 2:25 and D&C 14:7.

2 Nephi 2:25: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

D&C 14:7: "And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

God wants us to be happy. He wants this for us so much that he gave us everything we have with the potential to receive so much more. The Plan of Salvation, the gospel on this earth, our Savior, Jesus Christ. All of it is so we can be happy. That is what we are meant to be. We are meant to be Celestial beings who find joy in our lives. Sorrow and worry only came as a result of sin, temptation, and living in a lesser kingdom. So when I start to worry about what's going to happen or when or why or how or all of those things, I think of what Ben reminds me and what these scriptures tell me. And that is that I need to be happy. And happiness is a lot easier to find when I keep things in an eternal perspective. When I remember these things I don't worry so much about the blankness of the future. Instead, I see it as opportunity. Something that I can choose to make wonderful. Especially since I know that what I do with what I am given is more important than what I am actually given. I can make my own happiness. And I will do that by remembering our Lord and that he wants me to be with Him and my family forever. And doing things that help me reach that goal will make me more happy than anything. So my challenge to all and any who read this is to be happy. Smile. Find joy in the simple things in life. The stuff that really matters. And I promise that as you try to do that, the worries and stress that bring you down in life will begin to melt away and you will see things as new possibilities and opportunities. And you will be excited about them all, each step of the way. I'll keep working too. Because that's what I want most. Is to be happy.