I wish as a child (and teen) I had been able to see how great my parents really were. Not that I didn't love and appreciate them, because I did! But I didn't always look beyond the surface. To me, they were just mom and dad. I never really took the time to look at who they were as people. In all fairness, it took me a while to realize that people have more going on than what they reveal. I wasn't an air headed kid, per se, I was just living in ignorant bliss. Honestly, I still kinda am, and I get a rude awakening everyday. I try to believe that people are intrinsically good and kind, and that the world isn't doing so bad after all, but it's pretty hard when you hear about all the horrible stuff that's going on and you see the way people treat each other. It's pretty depressing. I think I started out an optimist but now have my toe dipped in the waters of realism. I just hope I never swim over to pessimism because that just seems like a really depressing way to live. But that's besides the point I was getting at. Anywho, what I was trying to say is that I never realized how awesome my parents really were. I don't know if being away from home made me realize it, or maybe growing up and getting experience in real life, maybe a little of both.
I love my parents! I love them so much. I can't really think of a more eloquent way to express it. My mom is the best example of service and forgiveness and unconditional love. Without telling you every single detail of our family life, I'll just say that my mom is always busy. She works full time and has been going to school to finish her Masters these past few years. She can, and does, get stressed over EVERYTHING. But she always makes time to serve those in need. I've seen her get hurt by words from the people she serves, and if I were in her place, I might not have gone back, but she always does. My dad is so humble and hard working, not to mention patient. Do you know many fathers who have the capacity to coach three teenage females in golf (one of, if not the most, mentally demanding sports around)? Didn't think so.
It's hard for me to fathom how much parents love their children. It's even more astonishing to think of the love our Heavenly Father has for us. When I look at the Lord's hand in my life it is hard to feel anything but gratitude. There have been so many times when I've been upset when things didn't go my way, but seemed to work out after all. There's a really cheesy quote that everyone used to post on their Instagram selfies, something along the lines of "everything will be ok in the end, if it's not ok, it's not the end". Super cliche, but super true. Heavenly Father can see the whole picture. It is this that helps me through trials. When I feel like I've missed an opportunity, or life has treated me unfairly, I need only to remember that God has a plan for me, and is guiding me toward everything he has in store. Faith in him includes faith in his timing.
People aren't lying when they say your parents know best.
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