Was That All That Was Required???

Today was Saturday and my daughter, Shaniah and I had tickets to attend the General Women's conference. We were both excited to go together and make a night of it. I woke up feeling not so well and knew it was going to be a rough day for me.

I did not want to tell my daughter I was worried about whether or not I would be able to make it. It didn't take long for her to see that my body was really struggling today. I tried my best to hide it but she could see right through me. We talked about it and she told me she was going to attend with some friends at our stake center and then go out with them after.

I felt horrible that I would have to stay home, once again, in my dark cave of a house and watch the conference by myself. I was really looking  forward to getting out with my daughter. I knew she wouldn't enjoy it if she had to worry whether or not I was going to pass out or not.

So I sent her on her way with her girlfriends, and I sat home to watch and listen to it alone. I have to admit I was feeling a bit angry and a little sorry for myself. I know that sounds extremely selfish as I am blessed with so many other things in my life; my famliy, my home, the gospel, my Savior, and much more.  But as I sat alone in my home, you can't help but wonder "Why me, why do I have to miss out on so much?... "Why do I have to go through such a long and exhausting trial"?  

I guess you could say this was one of those days that I was just sick of being sick!

As I began to listen and feel the overwhelming spirit from this conference, my heart began to soften and my understanding became more clear as I heard what Sister Reeves spoke about at the end of her talk. It hit me so hard, and with such power, that tears streamed down my face as I realized the answers to the exact questions I had just a few moments earlier.

Sister Reeves said:

"I don's know why we have the many trials that we have, but is is my personal feeling that the reward is so great,  so eternal and everlasting,  so joyful and beyond our understanding, that in that day of reward, we may feel to say, to our merciful loving Father, "WAS THAT ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED?"

"I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of that love that our Father in Heaven and our Savior have for us, that we would be willing to do anything to be back in Their presence again, surrounded by Their love eternally. 

"What will it matter dear sisters, what we have suffered here, if in the end, those trials are the very thing which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior. 

Sister Reeves Talk Women's Conference Sept. 2015

These very words hit me so hard and made me realize that everything we suffer on earth is made to prepare us  and qualify us to meet God. It also made me realize what love I have for my  Father in heaven and my Savior  Jesus Christ, and in order for me to be in their presence again I must do whatever it is they have asked me to do, no matter how challenging it may seem at times!  

I  needed to hear these very words tonight and to realize that the trials we must face in this life qualify us for the eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of our Father and Savior.

I know some trials are short and some trials last many years, but it does not matter the length of the trial or even the degree of difficulty.  I must keep in mind the eternal perspective while enduring well each and every trial and know I am earning my way into the Kingdom of God.