A Balanced Diet

We eat, we sleep, and we repeat. The necessities of life are often plain and simple to us, a normal way of life.

My companion and I have been trying to eat as healthy as we can as of late. We make sure we get enough fruits and vegetables and stay away from sugary sodas and desserts. As I reflected on how much of a difference it has made in how we felt, I thought of how "spiritual food" greatly affects the way we feel also.

For many of us, much of time is spent taking care of our bodies needs but how often do we take some time for our spiritual needs. When was the last time you took some time to ponder about what you want to become? When was the last time you helped a friend? When was the last time you prayed? All of these things literally feed our spirits and help us live balanced, happy lives.

The Future is Bright

The other day I was pondering on the fact that our loving God would let some of his children go through trials, even devastating trials at times. The hardest thing I have seen on my mission is when innocent, kind people are hurt. I realize, the unenviable pattern of life is that everyone on earth will have ups and downs. Just looking at life logically, it is impossible to have all our days be better than average. Some days will be fantastic and others will be heart-breaking. But if God is really there, and God really loves us, why?

In the Bible, 5th chapter of Mathew it says

          "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

An instant parallel that opened up to my mind as I read that verse is like any Father and Child (or Mother and child) relationship. If the child always got what he wanted, if they are anything like me, life would consist of ice-cream for every meal, late nights, no homework, sleeping in, and simply living in the moment. That would be absolutely fantastic for the first day or two but it would slowly begin to become detrimental on the children. Likewise, more often than not, experiences teach us vital life lessons and skills. Our Father in Heaven allows these trials come upon us so that we might come out stronger.

I know what it is like to feel sad, inadequate, or discouraged. We all do. But as we look up to the future ahead and have faith, one day it will all be well. I love the quote from Thomas S. Monson at the top. "Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."