Life is funny that way.

We come down to life and are born to parents who may or may not know what they are doing. For some of them they have no idea what it is like to raise a child. It’s a lot of responsibility and work.

As infants we learn how to eat, how to walk and say a word or two. Not knowing what is going on in our world. There we were crying when mommy or daddy can’t be seen (even if they are just in the other room); always falling on our face because our chubby little legs and our diaper makes it awkward to move. Then there were our attempts of moving our mouth and having noise come out but never making any sense. We were so happy and proud of ourselves.

Then it is on to our toddler years. Were we seized every adventure that is laid before us. Fearless, we were as toddlers. Climbing any bookshelf or cupboard we could get away with. Learning what the word “no!” meant. Spilling and dropping anything we could get our little hands on. We would think of amusing little games: drop mom’s key, watch her pick them up, and then drop them just when she sat back down; then laughing at mom getting increasingly irritated until she wouldn’t give us back the keys. What little imps we were. We were Potty training and afraid of the dark, learning to say “no” to our moms or dads. Then we would constantly throw temper tantrums and sometimes getting what we wanted and sometimes getting ignored. By then life was getting more complicated.

Kindergarten age is when our personality was mostly developed. We loved to run, skip, and gallop. Climb trees, and talk in sentences. Some of us having lisp some us not know what it meant to talk quietly. We were becoming a little more independent, helping mom sweep the floor with a little broom she bought for us. Making friends, and sometimes no one else could see them but that didn’t matter because they were your friend and no one else could steal them from you. Mostly, our biggest stress was when mom tried to put us into bed. And we would run though out the house screaming while she is chasing us with our pajamas in hand (kind of like a Calvin and Hobbes comic). Parents instill good manners in to us. School was just a place were we went and played all day without mom and dad watching us. Play with play dough, blocks, had story time, learned out ABC’s and 123’s. Circle time and time out. When we would fall or smashed our finger in the door, we just knew Band-Aids were for every boo-boo, because they healed everything. Dressing ourselves and not caring if we matched or if our clothes were inside out. What mattered most is we did it all by ourselves.

By the time we were in grade school were we forgot about our imaginary friends (mostly), and started having more real friends. We start questioning if Santa was real or not, and knowing the tooth fairy was in fact real because she left some money under your pillow the night before. Happy that the song “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” actually applied to you. Starting to read chapter books and participating in Summer Reading at the local city library. Having homework and sometimes liking it but sometime hating it because it meant you might have to miss your favorite TV show. We had report cards, and receiving and an “E” for excellent, “S” for satisfactory, or an “N” for needs to improve, and “U” for unsatisfactory. Monkey bars and parks were our delight. Ice cream and candy were all we wanted to live on but mom and dad wouldn’t let us. Swimming lessons, tee-ball, soccer, and extra fun summer activities we got to look forward to. More responsibility we had when we were baptized and excited about it. Still whinny, but we knew when to stop when mom gave “the look”. Barbie and GI-Joe were our favorite toys.

In middle school most of us put away those silly toys and started playing video games and reading magazines. We hated school and especially homework. Some of us had lockers and that was cool. Friends you had in grade school were no longer your friend, because things…well, they changed. Some of us were popular, and others were over looked. Everyone trying to find out who they were and how they wanted express that. Our major stress mostly was whether or not we were accepted. Sometimes to fit in we would start to rebel against our parents. That is probably about the time we found out that being grounded wasn’t fun. Some of us were on the honor role and others were in detention.

High school is where we started to get our first jobs, date, drive, and became more and more independent. Our parents didn’t understand what it was like to be in high school at that time. Pressure on looking forward to our future was put on us. Students were taking A.P. classes and seminary. Skipping classes, drama was running ramped through the halls, and crushes here and there. People would go around having boyfriends and girlfriends; breakup and makeup and then breakup again. Fashion was starting to become more important to some and other could’ve cared less. Still trying to fit in was important to some and others were comfortable being themselves. Making friendship and knowing they would last, then when graduating realizing life wouldn’t allow it. Say good-bye to those who were with you though all of your hard times, and growing up together. There were parents who still loved you no matter how rebellious you might have been. Teachers who helped you realize you could do the assignments if you just applied yourself.

After high school you had to let go of some of your friendships, moved out and live on your own. Some went to college and some didn’t. Some served missions and others got married and already have two kids and one on the way. Pressure of what you are going to do with the rest of your life come from all angles. Church Callings, work, bills, school, social life or lack there of. All of it seems overwhelming. We are expected to take what we learned from our parents, leaders, mentors, teachers and friends and apply it to our life. Everyone has a purpose and were are suppose to know what that is and do it. And yet at the same time remain balanced and in control of things. While we are doing this we are also expected to lift and help those along the way. Help build the Kingdom of God and stand tall in the eyes of the Lord. How can we do this?

Well, I don’t know all the answers and I don’t know if you were taught this while you were growing up or not, and really that doesn’t matter because I am telling you now. If you love the Lord with all of your heart, mind and soul you will find it easy to follow His commandments. You won’t have to question his motives for giving a certain commandment you would just be able to trust in Him. And if you are doing His will you’ll find that you are already serving others and helping the people around you in ways you might not being aware of at this time.

All I can say is that everything we went through in our lives, whether is was good or bad experiences there was something that you were supposed have to learned that might help you now or in your life in the future. If we are all striving to do what is right, all the other things that we have yet to endure and learn won’t be as bad. Yes, we will still have to be tested and pulled out of our comfort zone but that is just so we can be there for others; and so we as individuals can be proud of whom we are becoming. We are not alone and that in it’s self is a comforting thing. Remember everything has its purpose and in time we will see and understand what that purpose is.

I guess that’s all I really have to say. These are just my thoughts. Until next time, keep your chin up.

Wiggle