The Real Purpose Driven Life

"When I'm worried I clean the house. It doesn't solve any of my problems, but at least when I'm done the house is clean." - paraphrasing Penelope Keeling in R*osamunde P*ilcher's "The Shell Seekers." That's why I vacuumed, did laundry, dishes, and swept the kitchen floor tonight when I wanted to fall asleep in the middle of the mess of toys on the family room floor.

I wasn't worried today, but I was sick. Josh is out of town and I have a bladd*er infection. This has happened before when he's gone out of town. It's giving me just enough pain and fatigue to make my tasks difficult and my temper short. That and the air conditioner isn't working so I'm sweating my way through my chores, adding to my dehydration.

They boys were sweet the first half of the day and then tonight they decided to test me. They threw their dinner all over the place and then begged for food at bedtime. They pulled the tablecloth off of the table with all of the food on it. They screamed all the way through our Book of Mormon chapter. To add to my frustration, I made a difficult trip to the fabric store today to buy supplies for my sewing class that starts tomorrow morning. Tonight I went to wash the fabric and realized they didn't give me the pattern. I'll have to try to make another trip and I just don't want to make the effort.

After the boys went down (the second time) and I finally had a minute to think, I thought that the reason I always get sick when Josh goes out of town is because it's all a trial to see what I will do without him here to help me. Will I get angry like today? Will I drowned my sorrows in ice cream and stay up too late watching TV? The moment I realized this situation is a trial I calmed down. I want to turn to the source of strength and peace and endure it "well." I know this is a miniature trial. It's the kind I need to learn how to pass before moving on to the much more tumultuous ones I'm sure my future holds. Women all over the world, and many of you, have husbands who are often gone on business travel, but for today, for me, it's a test.

I am grateful for this perspective on life that helps me see purpose in the hard things we have to do. There is someone who has felt every pain we ever feel and who understands every situation we go through so he can help us do our best through it. Aren't you grateful, too?

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will . . . take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. -Alma 7:11-12