Hopscotch

Hopscotch

Ever have one of those days where everything is fine then out of the blue a meltdown occurs? Yeah that was me yesterday. 

Looking back on it though, we all are hopping through life on one foot, just like a game of hopscotch. Different struggles and trials all add to the game board and we find ourselves hopping along trying to win without falling over. 

At times it is all we can do to just stay standing and at other times we want to give up. 

You know, my life hasn't been perfect. Sure it may look perfect from the outside but that is the flaw with looking in on others and comparing ourselves to them. We see them as perfect and when we compare our flaws to their perceived perfection the only thing we get in return is heartache and disappointment.

Yesterday I had a peek at where I had been several years ago. Deep in the dark pit that is depression. It is impossible for anybody to understand what it is like without experiencing it. But I would never in my right mind wish that pain on anyone. 

But picture if you can, the most terrifying moment you have ever experienced in your life, then picture the saddest you have ever been then add worry and doubt and squash them all together. You end up with one ugly monster. 

There are ways to keep the monster contained... medication, therapy, keeping busy but it never really goes away. It is always lurking, watching and waiting for the right moment. The moment when you are at your most vulnerable and it's often too late before you realize it's loose.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat this monster. The Lord has provided a way to escape any and all trials in this world. Each escape is different for each trial and through painful experiences we learn how to overcome.

I'm not trying to make anybody feel sorry for me, just to understand that if I have a bad day, it isn't a normal bad day. It isn't normal in any sense. So if I have ever offended you when I have been in such a mood, then I am deeply sorry.


So in that game of hopscotch that is life, when we have been left behind and we sit on the ground and just cry, (We've all had those days whether or not we have actually shed tears) When life just doesn't seem fair and everything seems to be going wrong...

Storms are gathering all around us and we wish we didn't have to go through it. We have to remember something very important, no... not just important... something crucial to our success. 

We are not alone.

The gospel in my life has given me the strength to go on. To know that the atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ is all encompassing, even for my own shortcomings and mistakes. He knows everything we have ever gone through and everything we will go through. He knows that sometimes I feel 3" tall. He knows that I feel inadequate and nearly worthless. 

Most importantly He knows me. He knows my name just as He knows each and every person on this earth. He lives and loves me and will always be there to help me back on my feet and give me a nudge in the right direction.

It doesn't matter what you believe, it doesn't matter if you disagree with me on religion or my view of Diety. What matters is that in our hour of need when we think He has abandoned us, when we feel all hope is lost and there is no point in continuing...

He is there.

He is always there. He is constant and will never fail us when we turn to him. He doesn't leave our lives, but He won't stop us from moving away from Him. 

That is our choice.

I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ. I know they live and love us. I know they want us to be happy and I know they have a plan for every single one of us. They know what we can become and if we are true and faithful and try our best to keep the commandments and have love one for another then we will be happy. Truly happy.

Hopscotch... Not just a little kids game anymore... 


At least not for me...