Where Would I Be Without Them?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the many people who have influenced my life for good. As I’ve thought about it, I've realized that very few of them have even an inkling as to how much they have influenced me. Some taught me much from afar. I didn’t even interact with them, but I saw what they did and how happy it made them and so I wanted those same things.

Other people actually taught me. One man in particular would answer my gospel questions any time I called him. But even he doesn’t know how very much he taught me or how much that teaching and his example and wisdom have meant to me. Others have loved me when I didn’t deserve to be loved—several Young Women leaders fall into this category. Some befriended me and despite all my faults have been there when I needed them.

I am who I am because of many, many people who have loved, guided, directed, taught, and patiently put up with me. I am so very grateful for all of those people. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to thank them in some adequate way. Until then I'll carry thoughts of them around in my heart, because words will never be enough to thank them.

The People In My Life

Another one of the interesting things that happened during this experience with Grizelda taught me about how God places people in our lives. When the word first began to get out that I had a tumor in my head, some people called to tell me of a specialist or doctor who was the very best in the field. I appreciated those suggestions; they told me people cared. But each time someone gave me a name, I’d pray about it and every time received a firm conviction that I should just stay with the care I was receiving. As a matter of fact, I was surprised how strong the answers to those prayers were. I had no doubt that I was to remain with the doctors I had.

It was interesting to me that at this time of need I was in just the right place to receive the help I needed. The people who I needed were right here so that I didn’t need to fly off to Texas or California. This has made me think a lot about all the other people that are in my life.

I firmly believe that the people in our lives—those we just call on occasionally like my doctors, or those we live with every day—are there to help us and to teach us, and not always in just positive ways! The very things that annoy us most about a spouse or a child may be the very things that will teach us overcome some defect in our own character. The very problems our family members have may be the very thing we need to help us build faith and spiritual strength as we help them through the problem.

And of course, there are the positive experiences when someone comes along at just the right time to help us with a problem or to teach us what we need to be happier or more faithful. Nothing happens by coincidence. As I look around and ask why this person is in my life, I usually realize that they are teaching me something important.