The Book I Received

I completed an online survey for TOFW and they said they would send me a free book in exchange for my time and thoughts. I picked a book from the three they offered. Today I opened a package from them and inside was a note saying that because of an inventory error they were sending me another book instead. This new book is a memoir by Paul Cardall called Before My Heart Stops. The cover also says "I was born with half a heart. God made up the difference." I've only read a few pages but look forward to reading the rest.

 

I was thinking about how he and Kris Belcher have such a spiritual outlook to their trials. It's been two years for me and I'm still trying to get a grip on mine. I was starting to get down on myself then a couple of things occurred to me in the blink of an eye:

1) They have struggled with their trials all their lives. I got MS out of the blue and it turned my life upside down.

2) They were born to good parents and raised to have the gospel in their lives. My dad was a non-church going Catholic who joined the church for my mom and then went inactive. I also had turmoil in my life growing up and was raised in the church by a single mom.

3) They've both been on missions and have a deep understanding of the gospel. I think I have a deep understanding of the gospel but I've never been on a mission. I don't think about the atonement first, usually first, I have a pity-party for myself.

Certain scriptures come to my mind or a song goes through my head that relates to an experience I'm having and it gives me a deeper understanding of the gospel than I had before. Also, certain experiences make it easier for me to handle this trial gracefully - but I'm no Paul Cardall or Kris Belcher. The important thing is to not compare myself to them. I'm sure my trial has a positive impact on someone and I'm grateful to help them in some small way.