Difficult Times in Life Can Help Us Grow

I found this poem on a website. I think it describes the times that we all face -- sometimes often, sometomes occasionally. But it spoke to me.

TRY TO REMEMBER THE GOOD THINGS

by Sherrie L. Householder

When times become difficult

(and you know they sometimes will),

remember a moment in your life

that was filled with joy and happiness.

Remember how it made you feel,

and you will have the strength you need

to get through and trial.

When life throws you one more obstacle
than you think you can handle,
remember something you achieved
through perseverance and by struggling to the end.
In doing so, you'll find you have the ability to overcome
each obstacle brought your way.

When you find yourself drained and depleted of energy,
remember to find a place of sanctuary and rest.
Take the necessary time in your own life
to dream your dreams and renew your energy,
so you'll be ready to face each new day.

When you feel tension building,
find something fun to do.
You'll find that the stress you feel will dissipate
and your thoughts will become clearer

When you're faced with so many negative
and draining situations, realize how minuscle problems will seem
when you view your life as a whole -- and remember the positive things.

With God's unlimited grace,
we can get past the bad times and find Him again.

There Are Always New Things to Do

“Dreadful will be the day when the world becomes contented, when one great universal satisfaction spreads itself over the world. Sad will be the day for every man when he becomes absolutely contented with the life that he is living, with the thoughts that he is thinking, with the deeds that he is doing, when there is not forever beating at the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger which he knows that he was meant and made to do because he is a child of God.”

This was written by Phillips Brooks (1835 – 1893), an American clergyman and author who briefly served as Bishop of Massachusetts in the Episcopal Church during the early 1890s. In the Episcopal liturgical calendar he is remembered on January 23. He is known for being the lyricist of "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

During the recent meeting of the Diocese of Virginia representatives and clergy, this spoke to me as a retired person who could, all too easily, contentedly sink into a relaxing life of leisure, going to the gym, watching TV and having lunch with my friends. But that's not enough. There are still things that I want (and need) to do, whether they are a call from God or just for my own mental health. Is it the former or the latter? Or maybe are they the same? Regardless, there's still this inner need to continue to do things that take time and effort -- and sometimes are a stretch for my soul -- to help others in body or spirit.

Do you feel the same thing? Are you looking for fullfillment? Or have you already found it?