It Will Work Out

When Miss Birdie came for my wedding, she wrote about a quote from John Lennon in the card.

"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end."

Many years ago, she gave me a sign that still hangs in my office:

"It's never too late to live happily ever after."

Yesterday, I had a talk with our oldest.

Jackson is 21.

Sunday he said to Mike: "Being an adult is hard!"

Yes, yes it is.

Jackson has sacrificed two years of his life.

One and a half years was given to the service of our God.

Everything he did, everything he thought about, every action he took - he took it with that in mind.

His goal was to bring people to God and to help them to feel His love.

When he returned from his mission, he began a long-distance relationship.

And, by long - I mean a different continent.

His time and energy and thoughts and actions were all devoted to that relationship.

I believe STRONGLY that every single relationship we have on Earth is for our growth.

Heavenly Father doesn't want us to be hurt.

So, don't get me wrong here.

But, all of them are to teach us something.

To help us to grow.

To help refine us.

The most important mortal relationship that we form is with ourselves.

We get right with ourselves.

We spend time with ourselves.

We get to know ourselves.

We become whole, ourself.

THEN, we are ready to have relationships.

We are able to handle ourselves and communicate when things are hard in a respectful, clear manner.

We talked to Jackson about how this is the opportune time to really focus on him and what he needs and wants and WHO he is.

Although life hurts and sadness is real and fear is prevalent, it will all be okay in the end.

And, if it's not okay then it isn't the end!