We have been attending an institute class the last few months at BYU with Bryan’s parents and we have loved it! I strongly believe in having spiritual meeting throughout the week to boost us and keep us motivated! There are many different teaching styles, even among gospel teachers and even if one doesn’t particularly appeal to us, I still think that there are gems to be found in any teacher’s class. This was one of those gems.
Oftentimes, I feel like we get caught up in our lives and the things that happen to us and what we may or may not be doing that we forget to give credit to whom the credit is due. How often do we say things like, “Look at this great job I got!” Or “I built this all on my own!” Or “This happened because I worked so hard!”
That’s not to say that we don’t have to put forth effort, but instead of telling stories all about what we have done or having a bad attitude about how things didn’t turn out the way we wanted them to, we can change that to seeing God’s hand in our life and recognize how He blessed us. We can make it his story.
This isn’t a perfect example because there was some agency involved but I hope it illustrates the point. Last summer, I was so over Provo. I needed a fresh start and so I had decided to move up to Salt Lake. I found the cutest house to live in hat was in the ward I wanted to be in, I interviewed all over the valley and got a job teaching second grade. I paid the deposit for the house, I told my principal that I wouldn’t be coming back and everything seemed to be working out just great!
I then decided to invite a friend to hang out one last time before I left. Pretty soon I found myself in a predicament because this friend that I had secretly been in love with for six years decided that now would be a good time to tell me he finally wanted to date me. What?!! I was on an independent kick and told myself that there was NO WAY I would let a boy convince me to stay in Provo. I didn’t quite trust him because we had played this back and forth game a lot. I also couldn’t give up this job that I was just offered, and I wasn’t going to lose $400!
I was distraught and didn’t know what the right thing to do was. I felt a lot of different emotions because I wanted to leave Provo so bad! I wanted a new adventure! I wanted to teach second grade. I needed new people in my life. But I also was really interested to see what would happen with this boy. He was also pretty convincing but also said “it’s up to you.” I was so conflicted!
I talked it out with lots of people and also prayed about it a lot. I ended up staying but was mad about losing the $400 deposit (I think I even told the boy you better be worth $400 😬) and called the principal and told her I wouldn’t be joining their faculty. It was hard and stressful especially because the decision has to be made on such a short timeline.
So far this whole thing sounds a little negative and woe is me and focused on worldly things that don’t so much matter in the long run.
Here’s how I can make it HIS story.
Staying in Provo turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Turns out that boy was being serious about dating me and I can’t imagine how much more difficult that would have been long distance. I also got to stay at my school which I absolutely loved and I didn’t have to move my classroom quite as far. Ultimately, this decision turned into marrying my best friend! I was a little scared and it took me a while to fully trust him but I can’t imagine my life without him!
I learned that Heavenly Father really does look out for us. He helps lead and guide us to the right thing. I’m sure it still could’ve worked out if I was up in salt lake but it wouldn’t have been as convenient and it might have taken longer. My brothers also moved to Provo during this time and I got to hang out with them which was also super beneficial. I don’t think that anything bad would’ve happened if I moved but I honestly don’t know where my life would’ve been turned to and I know that Heavenly Father knew this was best and despite the minor inconveniences of having to shift everything so quickly this would ultimately be the best decision for me and my future.
Magically, everything worked out just the way it should and it had nothing to do with what I wanted or what I tried to do but everything to do with what He knew and how He made it all come together. As I was making such a tough diversion he inspired me and gave me comfort along the way and I am so grateful that I didn’t end up going to Salt Lake! In fact, I’m still in Provo and it’s actually ok 👌
I hope that we can all twist the story to highlight our Heavenly Father who is the creator of all good things in our lives, who looks out for us daily, and leads us to the things that are best for us.
When we tell stories, let’s make it about Him. His love, His mercy, His guidance, His peace, His gospel. He is the source of all happiness and should be given the credit because through the stories he weaves in our lives, others can be brought into Him.
Oftentimes, I feel like we get caught up in our lives and the things that happen to us and what we may or may not be doing that we forget to give credit to whom the credit is due. How often do we say things like, “Look at this great job I got!” Or “I built this all on my own!” Or “This happened because I worked so hard!”
That’s not to say that we don’t have to put forth effort, but instead of telling stories all about what we have done or having a bad attitude about how things didn’t turn out the way we wanted them to, we can change that to seeing God’s hand in our life and recognize how He blessed us. We can make it his story.
This isn’t a perfect example because there was some agency involved but I hope it illustrates the point. Last summer, I was so over Provo. I needed a fresh start and so I had decided to move up to Salt Lake. I found the cutest house to live in hat was in the ward I wanted to be in, I interviewed all over the valley and got a job teaching second grade. I paid the deposit for the house, I told my principal that I wouldn’t be coming back and everything seemed to be working out just great!
I then decided to invite a friend to hang out one last time before I left. Pretty soon I found myself in a predicament because this friend that I had secretly been in love with for six years decided that now would be a good time to tell me he finally wanted to date me. What?!! I was on an independent kick and told myself that there was NO WAY I would let a boy convince me to stay in Provo. I didn’t quite trust him because we had played this back and forth game a lot. I also couldn’t give up this job that I was just offered, and I wasn’t going to lose $400!
I was distraught and didn’t know what the right thing to do was. I felt a lot of different emotions because I wanted to leave Provo so bad! I wanted a new adventure! I wanted to teach second grade. I needed new people in my life. But I also was really interested to see what would happen with this boy. He was also pretty convincing but also said “it’s up to you.” I was so conflicted!
I talked it out with lots of people and also prayed about it a lot. I ended up staying but was mad about losing the $400 deposit (I think I even told the boy you better be worth $400 😬) and called the principal and told her I wouldn’t be joining their faculty. It was hard and stressful especially because the decision has to be made on such a short timeline.
So far this whole thing sounds a little negative and woe is me and focused on worldly things that don’t so much matter in the long run.
Here’s how I can make it HIS story.
Staying in Provo turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Turns out that boy was being serious about dating me and I can’t imagine how much more difficult that would have been long distance. I also got to stay at my school which I absolutely loved and I didn’t have to move my classroom quite as far. Ultimately, this decision turned into marrying my best friend! I was a little scared and it took me a while to fully trust him but I can’t imagine my life without him!
I learned that Heavenly Father really does look out for us. He helps lead and guide us to the right thing. I’m sure it still could’ve worked out if I was up in salt lake but it wouldn’t have been as convenient and it might have taken longer. My brothers also moved to Provo during this time and I got to hang out with them which was also super beneficial. I don’t think that anything bad would’ve happened if I moved but I honestly don’t know where my life would’ve been turned to and I know that Heavenly Father knew this was best and despite the minor inconveniences of having to shift everything so quickly this would ultimately be the best decision for me and my future.
Magically, everything worked out just the way it should and it had nothing to do with what I wanted or what I tried to do but everything to do with what He knew and how He made it all come together. As I was making such a tough diversion he inspired me and gave me comfort along the way and I am so grateful that I didn’t end up going to Salt Lake! In fact, I’m still in Provo and it’s actually ok 👌
I hope that we can all twist the story to highlight our Heavenly Father who is the creator of all good things in our lives, who looks out for us daily, and leads us to the things that are best for us.
When we tell stories, let’s make it about Him. His love, His mercy, His guidance, His peace, His gospel. He is the source of all happiness and should be given the credit because through the stories he weaves in our lives, others can be brought into Him.
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