Why is That Bad News

       "There is this man who was the most well known man in the village because of his stud horse. The village people would always compliment him on his horse. One day the horse ran away,  the people gave the old man their apologies. The man then said 'why is this bad news?'

      "A week later the horse came back fallowed by 15 mares he found in the canyon. The people congratulated the man for his possessions. The man says 'why is this good news?' The people now think this man is crazy. Why would he not be happy about these mares?

       "The fallowing day the man's son decides that these mares are still wild. So he jumps on one of them and gets thrown off. He brakes his back and is paralyzed. The people come to give their condolences to the man, 'Why is this bad news?' The people just leave because they think the man has gone mad.

       "The fallowing month the Governor comes to town and calls all the able young men to war. All but the old man's son goes. After the war the town receives news that all have died. The only young man left is the old man's crippled son." (unknown author)
   
 



 I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My family was blessed more than I even knew. Many of my friends would mention to me how great my family is. When I was in high school my little brother was paralyzed in a football game. Many of his and my friends told me they were sorry to hear that. But... "Why is that bad news?".

      An hour after the accident he was given a priesthood blessing from my Bishop. Three days later he walked out of the hospital. That is when I gained my testimony of this Gospel (even though I was raised in it). My church member friends would tell me how great it was that I now have faith and understand what Heavenly Father has done for me.... "Why is that good news?"

       A year after that I turned 19. The eligible age for serving a mission. I had to leave my family, schooling, friends, and a great job. My buddies tried to get me to stay because of all that I would be missing.... "Why is that bad news?"

       Being on my mission I have gained new friends and new family members (they cant replace my original ones) more learning than I would've at any school, and a job that I love. My family tells me how proud of me they are and how much help I have been to the people out here.... "Why is that good news?"

      Now I'm coming to the end, I have to finish up what I have started in not enough time at all. I have to get things in order to move on, say my goodbyes and get ready for the trials I will face when I get home. I pray and ask for more time, to help out with what my family and friends are going through. I plead for help and encouragement.... Then I heard Him say "Why is that bad news?"

       Don't judge the situation, but acknowledge the blessings!

     

Anyone can be a Father, But it takes Someone Special to be a Dad

    I can remember a time when I was little that my dad embraced me in his physical pain, when he felt my emotional pain. My dad had surgery on his shoulder. My mom took my sister, two brothers, and I into see him. He was in the hospital bed waiting for us. I climbed in the bed with him and laid by his side. A tear rolled down my cheek as I thought of the pain my dad was in. As my mom wiped it away, my dad felt my broken heart, and in his own pain from the surgery, he wrapped his arm around me and held me tight to let me know he is always there.

      Almost 15 years later I can still remember my dad's powerful arm lift and comfort me by his touch. All four of us kids climbed in bed and allowed ourselves to be wrapped in his arms.

     One of the most powerful acts of love between a father and son takes place in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

     Each one of us knows what it is like to watch a loved one struggle. I heard this saying many times throughout my life: "If I could, I would take that pain away from you." It is hard to go through tough times but its even harder to watch a friend or child go through it.

      To relate John 3:16 to myself I added "For my parents so loved God that they sent their daughter out to raise His children, a son to serve His children, a son to protect His creations, and are preparing another son to become who He desires. That whosoever follows, believes, trusts, and teaches them will not perish, but have everlasting life."
   
      My parents have watched their only daughter get married and move out to take care of her own family. They have sent a son on a mission to serve the Lord and bring his lost sheep back home. They have sent a son into the military to serve and defend our country. They are working with their youngest son to prepare him for what is to come.

     It takes a lot of strength to endure, but it takes a lot more love to watch and support. Heavenly Father had to watch and support His Son as He suffered for us. My parents and many others can understand a portion of what our Father in Heaven felt as Christ asked for the "cup" to be removed. But then said "not my will, but thine be done".

     Just as Heavenly Father sends His Son out in the world to defend, protect, teach, and be the example for us. Our parents have to let us go and learn, to do the things that Christ did. Even when we turn the other way, they are still there to wrap their arms around us each time. How heartbroken was Heavenly Father as He watched His Son suffer on that cross. But how proud was He when He was able to hold His Son in His arms again.

      I know this first hand with my family. When one of us slips and falls my parents are always there. For those of us who don't have parents, we ALL have that wonderful loving Father in Heaven who is there for us each time we have a tear run down our cheek. He wipes it away and holds us tight.

     Christ says in  John 14:7,9  "If ye had known me, ye have known my father also....he that hath seen me hath seen the father." I can only wish that when someone looks at me they can see either one of my parents.

     "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad." What makes your father the one you call dad?