Jared just received his MCAT score and definitely didn't do as well as he'd hoped. It is a devastating blow to both of us because he worked so hard to prepare for that test...many, many hours of preparation. Of course we question why he wasn't able to do better after working so hard and after all the prayers and fasting that were done in his behalf. Recently in our stake conference there was a talk that has stuck with me ever since. I think it is particularly important in our lives right now.
There was once a wise Chinese man who had one son, one horse, and one acre of ground on which he made his living. One day his son went out to feed the horse and left the gate open and the horse ran away. All of the man’s friends and neighbors came to him and said, “Oh that’s too bad. You’ve lost your only horse. How will you make your living?” The wise Chinese man just said, “I don’t know if that’s bad or that’s good.” But they insisted it was bad.
A few days later, the horse got thirsty and came back to the corral bringing 9 other wild horses with him. Now all his friends came over and said, “Oh, isn’t that good. You’ve got 10 horses.” The wise Chinese man said, “I don’t know if that’s bad or good.” And they insisted it was good.
A few days later, the wise Chinese man’s son went out to break one of the wild horses. In the process, the horse reared up and came down, severely breaking the son’s leg. This time all the neighbors came over and said, “Oh, that’s too bad. That’s your only son. What will you do?” And again the wise Chinese man said, “I don’t know if that’s bad or good.” And they insisted it was bad.
A short time later, war broke out in the country. The government came through and gathered up all the able-bodied young men and marched them off to war where they were all killed.”
Our speaker then went on to say "Of course, this story can go on indefinitely. This is the story of your life and my life, our lives."
I don't know why Jared wasn't able to do as well as he'd hoped, but I do know that we are both trying hard to follow the Spirit and do what the Lord has in store for us. There is a reason why this didn't work out at this time. Although this seems like a bad thing to us now, there is a reason for everything, and maybe in the end it will turn out for our good.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I don't know if that's bad or good...
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4 comments:
That's so true that you never know what is going to happen, and things happen for a reason. We have had a lot of experience with our lives not going how we thought they would or should, but you are absolutely right--it will work out and the right thing will happen, especially if you are praying and trying to do what's right. There's a really good story about that on lds.org http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=580b6e11057fb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Sorry for the long address, but you can copy and paste it...it's called "Wrong Roads and Revelation". Good luck with everything!
I'm so sorry that Jared didn't do as well on the test as you guys thought. That is SO frustrating after so much hard work! You definitely have the right perspective about it. It's so hard when things don't go as planned. Keep your chins up...I know things will work out!
I am a firm believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason. It is hard sometimes, because we don't know what that reason is, and we often have our hearts set on something that is maybe not supposed to happen at this time, or is supposed to happen differently. I hear the OAT is a little easier than the MCAT(speaking from the experience of my husband and his friends)!! We'd love to see you in Oregon-just kidding. Good luck with everything, and I know everything will work out the way it is supposed to. I loved that story, though. Take care.
You guys are so strong, that is a tough pill to swallow now, epecially after all his hard work, but I want you to know that your positive perspective is uplifting to me. I am so thankful for your refreshing outlook. You are a good example, and help me to remember to be positive through tough times. Thank you so much!
P.S. It was so fun playing softball with ya last night- we have the best group of girls in our ward!
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