What Did Me The Most Good?

"Like a plant that starts up in showers and sunshine and does not know which has best helped it to grow, it is difficult to say whether the hard things or the pleasant things did me the most good." - Lucy Larcom, 19th century poet

This is so true - I don't really know what has done me the most good so far. Every experience I've had has led me to this point, but it hasn't always been easy.

My life has been very challenging at times. Everybody goes through challenges. I have experienced turbulence, chaos, and drama at certain times in my life, sometimes more than I would care to admit. I've also experienced joy, fun, and happiness. Life has been quite a roller coaster ride at times but I have always survived. The difficult times have taught me to appreciate the wonderful times. I believe that the God of my understanding has carried me through it all - the good and the bad. I also believe that my appreciation for life has come as a direct result of walking through some very difficult situations (with God's help of course).

There have also been times when I needed to learn a lesson and the only way for me to learn that lesson was to go through a life challenge. I have sometimes needed to go through several similar challenges in order to finally recognize and accept the lesson I was supposed to learn. I've figured out that God never gives up on me. He will stick by me for as long as it takes for me to wake up to the truth and make the right choices. This way of living is a true gift. I cannot believe how much my life has changed over the years as I continue to get closer and closer to my Higher Power. I am safe today. I am loved by God today. And, I owe it all to both the showers and the sunshine. May I always remember that.