My View of Life - Never Better!

Friday had finally arrived. I now had the opportunity to enjoy Easter Weekend. My wife who'd been away was home, and over the course of the weekend we hoped to see all of our children and grandchildren.

Lisa and I jumped into our car anticipating a joyful day together working out at the gym, eating out, watching a movie--whatever hit our fancy.

Immediately my excitement vanished. My phone slipped out of my pocket, and I ran over it. The visual display and touch screen were ruined--my phone was now useless. I quickly prayed that it could be fixed.

Lisa and I had an enjoyable day doing all we'd planned, but later that afternoon I went to the phone store, and was told I could enjoy another phone just like it for only 609 dollars. Somewhat melancholy I returned home only to find my greenhouse was whipped all across my back yard in a wind storm--a ton of hard work down the drain.

I began to doubt my attitude. If my friends asked me how I was doing, responding with NEVER BETTER would not only be difficult but possibly erroneous.

I prayed some more, wondering what avenue to take in order to obtain a phone for considerably less than 609 dollars. Not long after, Lisa informed me that my oldest daughter had news for me. She informed me that she'd upgraded not long ago, and had a nice phone with my name on it.

The next day, Saturday, I went to her home near Blackfoot Idaho. They transferred all my data over, and set it all up for me. The relief spread over me like a blanket. From there, the evening got better and better. I spent the next three hours helping my daughter paint the basement of their new home, but the highlight was talking to her. We laughed and reminisced over the past nearly 30 years, planned for future opportunities, joked about how alike we were, and just enjoyed the time together. That alone was worth running over my phone.

Easter Sunday at church was delightful, then we enjoyed my other daughter, son, and their families for Easter Dinner. We watched a short movie of He is Risen. It filled my home with an ambiance of gratitude, appreciation, and awareness of what Jesus Christ has done for us. The food was fantastic, the company unsurpassed, and the games exhilarating as always. I even got second place (very uncommon--I usually get last.) The laughter and glee from the grandkids filled the house. My family came through again.

After they'd all left, I bowed my head a moment reflecting upon the magnificence and eternal significance of the family unit. The thought's of our huge family, all of us being children of God burst across my mind. Then, my youngest son who is serving the Lord with all his heart, might, mind, and strength in Mexico filled my heart. Surely he must know of the blessings his faithful service is bringing to the rest of his family. I walked over to our backyard window and observed the fully completed greenhouse that Lisa had helped me repair and assemble. I removed my phone from my pocket and examined it. Lisa had added more features than my previous phone.

I retired to my computer room, My heart full of gratitude, my mishap resolved. I turned to my computer, but it was not my phone or greenhouse that came to mind. It was a wonderful friend.

On this Easter Sunday, one question takes center stage. In this tumultuous world we live in with all of its hills and valleys, tragedies and misfortunes, corruption and wickedness; is it possible to find joy in the journey? Given what this day represents. A day celebrated by all Christendom as the most sacred of the year. The answer is a resounding--YES! For this reason!

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL people.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And then, 33 years later, Matthew 28:5,6 And the angel answered and said unto the women...He is not here: for he is risen.

What greater peace and comfort could permeate our hearts than knowing we have a loving Father in Heaven that provided a way for us to return home.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The sting of death is swallowed up in him as well as the uncertainty of what lies hereafter. The very reason why our Father sent us here is manifest--that we might have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and come unto him.

When I think of the valleys of life like the loss of a spouse or loved one, and in this case I hope to dedicate this blog to a wonderful friend who recently experienced such loss, I cannot help but reflect on our Savior's Atonement.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

There is a saying--Footprints in the sand. It's one of my favorites. There is no doubt he does carry us over the paths we cannot endure on our own.

There is no depth of sin, of pain, of remorse, of guilt, of sorrow, of anguish, of torment, torture, and etc. in our earthly experience that he's not acutely acquainted with.

Surely, not a day, not an hour, not a minute, nor a second goes by without our Savior being keenly aware and understanding of our plight. For his atonement, his love, his grace is with us continuously--comforting, strengthening, leading, guiding--saving. Because of him, everything we do in life has meaning and purpose. We have incentive to do good unto others, to learn, grow, and overcome.

So, for you, my wonderful friend, I hope this post perhaps in some way will help ease your troubled heart. Maybe this is a way for you to hear what all your friends surely feel--that we love you, that we pull for you, that we appreciate who you are, your kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity. Your resilience, faith, and determination. Your divine nature as a daughter of God. It's a blessing to be your friend.

And, in conclusion, that maybe you can feel more deeply, the love, the investment, the devotion, the awareness, and the endearment your Savior has with and for you during your loss at this time. That you may know that our Savior can and will make right all things for you and all your family, and that you may feel profoundly in your heart his mercy and grace.

Again, we love you, and wish to assure you, that this life is just a millisecond in eternity. There will come a day when these two words will come to mind--NEVER BETTER.