Strength

Today is a hard day - plain and simple truth. It is. Maybe I'm just a spoiled whiner and am used to a life of ease. Perhaps I don't handle 2 sick kids as a sick mom very well. My voice is almost gone so my kids can't even hear my requests. "Bark-bark-bark" said I.

In my temporary misery, I think of all the women who understand what I feel like today... especially those who came long before who didn't have excellent doctors, modern medicine, conveniences, and living conditions. I know my trials are like a drop in the bucket to what many have experienced, but I think the lessons they learned and their strength and testimony can help strengthen me in mine.

In December, Jimmy and I watched "Emma Smith - My Story".  This isn't a review of the movie, but I did like this one quote.  I doubt Emma said it in real life but the message is a good one.

"Strength isn't something you have. It's something God helps you find. And usually we have to find it one day at a time." Emma Smith - My Story

After thinking about what Emma's life was like and what other women have had to endure throughout history, I wonder how strong physically and emotionally and spiritually I would be in those circumstances.

I can't believe how tiring just normal day-to-day life can be picking up after the tornado baby, dishes, laundry, cooking food, etc.  I can't imagine doing it without a spouse there to help every day let alone dealing with so much grief from children dieing and persecution and such . . . especially without the technology and conveniences we have today.

I admire Emma and all the women throughout time who have relied on the Lord to carry them through their adversities.

Lucy Mack Smith’s tribute to Emma: “I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year, with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done; for I know that which she has had to endure—she has been tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty—she has breasted the storms of persecution, and buffeted the rage of men and devils, which would have borne down almost any other woman.”

(Lucy Mack Smith, The Revised and Enhanced History of Joseph Smith by His Mother. ed. Scot Facer Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor, pp 165-66.)

Emma's Blessing: an interesting document to read. What would you write if a prophet told you to write the blessings you desire?

Article from the Ensign {My Great-Great-Grandmother} is a good one as well.

I am grateful for inspiring women who have gone before who by their example have shown that we can endure by finding strength in the Lord - even if it's just one day (or minute or hour) at a time.