It is so easy to get caught up with what's going on with other people. The great and fantastic things that are happening in their lives. Lately I've struggled a little with this. I try not to be a 'keeping up with the Joneses' type person, and I don't think I am when it comes to finances. But sometimes I look at where people are in their lives and wonder "What's God's plan for me, then? Am I just a late bloomer? Am I not worthy enough? Do I need to learn more before...?" This isn't just one particular aspect of my life, either; I think I compare myself to others in several aspects.

My husband has been a big help to me with this and keeps reminding me that God's plan for the Browns (or whoever) is not His plan for us. God has things meticulously timed and planned out for us for specific reasons. In fact, my husband said, some of things that seem to have been delayed or seem very far away could have nothing to do with me or us; they could be about Heavenly Father and His other children and what needs to happen for them. Consciously reminding myself of these things has really relieved some of my anxiety and worry about possibly not being where I think I should be. My husband is right when he says he thinks I get frustrated and impatient when things don't happen my way; most things have always come pretty easy for me. School, work, athletics, music, etc. And the things that I didn't succeed in, I stayed away from for the most part because I had enough things that I was good at. Ohhh, I have a lot of patience to learn in my struggles and it's a little daunting. How can I learn patience during these times? I want to learn and grow from them, not just ignore them and concentrate on something else because I know that won't make it go away; in fact, that will probably just make the Lord have to smack me a little harder with it.

I've also tried to remember the early Saints and all of their challenges and delays in the building up of Zion. They didn't go straight from point A to point B; they moved from one place to the next, got kicked out of places they thought were the sites of the New Zion, only to end up in mosquito infested swamps. It took years for the faithful Saints to end up where the Lord wanted them to be. I know I'd be soooo frustrated if I were with them! But they didn't quit when the Lord didn't take them immediately to their destination. Why? Because they learned what they needed to learn on their journey and trusted the Lord. I think that is my challenge. Even if it is just learning patience as my path winds around to places I don't think I need to go as I try to get to my destination (wherever that is). I just need to stop complaining and enjoy the ride; the Lord's got my back and he'll make things happen when they should. I rejoice in His hand being in my life, whether that's stalling things I want or making them happen when He knows the time is right. I love the Lord and all His tender mercies that He gives to me.