Be of Good Cheer

We go through our days

working, striving, loving,

coping, doing, creating,

cooking, leading, guiding...

Some days 

most days

time passes so quickly

we forget to hold 

onto what really matters.

Jacks & Em 12 years ago.

What really truly matters

is our relationships to one another.

Are we loving enough?

Do we give and listen?

Are we tough when we need to be?

Are we really listening

or are we just nodding our head up and down hoping 

no one will notice?

Do our kids cry out when they 

need us?

Or do they give

us bits and pieces

quietly

subtley

in ways we 

might miss 

because we just

keep 

going

and 

going

and

 going.

 

Em & Jacks Christmas 2011

 

 

 

 There is always so much to do.

Always places to go.

We need to be mindful of our days.

We need to show our loved

ones that 

YES

WE 

HEAR

YOU!!!

 

Em at 14

 

Not everything that happens in life

can be made all better

with a hug or a kiss.

When my kids were little

and they got hurt

or in trouble

a toy from the Dollar Store

could make it all better.

That doesn't work now.

No.

What works the very best is

love

and 

prayer

and 

setting an example.

Tough love 

works

too.

Sometimes 

it's the only thing

that does work.

 

But that can be 

oh so 

EXHAUSTING.

Oh so

HARD.

 

It drains you

and makes you want

to curl up in a corner

and die.

 

It makes you want to wish your days

and weeks and months away.

Just so you can get through all the hard stuff.

 

Giz & Jacks Christmas 2011

 

Yes,

Life is hard here right now.

But unlike yesterday and the 

day before that...

I am choosing to be 

CHEERFUL.

I am choosing 

to see the positive.

Here is a quote from one of our church leaders...

With God’s help, good cheer permits us

 to rise above the depressing present 

or difficult circumstances.

 It is a process of positive reassurance

 and reinforcement.

 It is sunshine when clouds 

block the light.

 

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

 

 

I can't be overcome 

with sorrow.

I can't live in the past.

 

Life is hard.

Raising kids is hard.

But it's my responsibility to 

be here for my kids.

 

No matter how my heart aches.

No matter how hard this may get.

I will be of "good cheer".

 

 

 None of us will escape tragedy 

and suffering. Each of us will probably

 react differently

. However, if we can recall

 the Lord’s promise,

 “for I the Lord am with you,” 

we will be able to face our problems 

with dignity and courage.

 We will find the strength 

to be of good cheer i

nstead of becoming resentful,

 critical, or defeated. 

We will be able to meet life’s

 unpleasant happenings 

with clear vision, strength, and power.

 

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

 

 

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