THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Turning Our Milestones Into Stepping Stones

I have been thinking lately about milestones; the meaningful events in our lives that teach us and help to build our character. Each of us has witnessed the excitement on the face of a child as he takes those first wobbly steps and learns that putting one foot in front of the other will get him where he needs to go. Our school years teach us to get along with people, to discipline ourselves, to study, and that it takes a lot of effort to succeed. Traveling with a performing group at BYU taught me that practicing is not as fun as performing, but those standing ovations were earned by our long hours of dedicated practice. Marriage teaches us to turn “I” into “we” and to put someone else’s needs before our own. Holding each of our newborn sons for the first time made me forget the months of nausea and discomfort of my pregnancies. It also helped me realize that good things are worth waiting for.

But some milestones are not as pleasant. Take for instance the life changing event of a divorce. Here I learned that I hate “limbo” and uncertainty. But sometimes just “treading water” and letting things evolve for a while takes real strength. Our best is our best and we simply hang on. Or how about facing a life threatening illness? This experience taught me to prepare for the worst while hoping and praying for the best. Although my cancer story ended positively, my mother’s did not. However, during this emotionally charged and difficult period of time, our family bonds grew deeper and stronger than ever and our faith sustained us as we moved forward.

A wise friend of mine once told me, “Kathy, I learned a long time ago that comfort is not necessary for survival.” Most of us see this lesson materialize as we experience the milestones in our lives. During the happy times we rejoice; during the learning times we grow as we develop strength and discipline; and during the really tough times we put the lessons of strength and discipline we developed in the learning times to good use. But during all of these times we lean on our faith in God. In holy writ we read, “Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not.”  God is there as we seek Him to help us turn our milestones into stepping stones and I am grateful.

Kathy Christensen