Sorrow that we can feel Joy

Friday was the first day that Josie didn't want to go school. She woke up so happy and excited for the day and then right at breakfast she started to cry. It was this silent cry and it broke my heart to see her pick at her breakfast as big tears rolled down her cheeks. My first thought was, "Yes, stay home with us. We've been missing you too." Yet I knew I couldn't. As I kept fighting my thoughts and trying to figure out what to say and do, Eric mentioned we could pray and that we'd pray for her all day. He reminded her about what had happened during the night . . . Josie couldn't sleep and was having bad dreams, Eric gave her a blessing and prayed for her and she slept deeply the rest of the night. Eric prayed with her again as they left for school and by the time she was there, she was fine. She had a great day--did well on her spelling test, had a great time with her friends and found out she gets to take Mr. Squeekers home in two weeks. Ultimately I realized how the experience Josie had was shaping her testimony of her Savior. Increasing her faith that when we are faced with something hard, He will help us get through it.

So why do I worry so much? All along I've been trying desperately to protect my children from anything that would remotely cause them any bit of pain. And then I realized that all the pain I've experienced ultimately created the person I am today. That ultimately all that pain turned into a blessing and an increased ability to feel and experience joy.

A few months ago Josie and Joshua water painted constantly. After months of this, we have dozens of art books dedicated to subjects like "pumpkins", Thanksgiving table", "Christmas tree". Occasionally they would stray from their usual subjects and paint something new, like this picture that Joshua pained of Jesus. This picture has been on our refrigerator for months now. And lately when I look at it, I'll remember to back off. Not be so willing to rescue my children and realize that because we are living a righteous life, everything we experience, even the bad, will be for the welfare and benefit of our souls.