“There’s a peace only to be found on the other side of war.” – Sean Connery as King Arthur in First Knight.
We just had a terrific Thanksgiving weekend. Paige was home from Hawaii, and we spent the long weekend together as a family.
It was the kind of fleeting, blissful family time that seems all too elusive.
This year I’m especially grateful for the peace that is only found on the other side of the challenges we face during this life. As my dad points out, this implies that I’m also grateful for the challenges. In that vein, here’s a partial list of challenges for which I’m grateful:
- Government Regulation – with apologies to all my banking friends, I’m extremely grateful for the tight regulation of commercial banks. It provides an enormous tail wind for our business. So, thank you Dodd-Frank. Thank you Federal Reserve. Thank you government bureaucrats.
- Leg Day – I hate leg day at the gym. What’s the point? However, I enjoy the associations I have with everyone at our gym so I’m even grateful for leg day. Thank you “Trainer Don.”
- Separation – I may have sobbed (again) after we sent Paige back to Hawaii yesterday. Yes, I will see her in three weeks, but I’m sad that she is 3,000 miles away. However, she is doing so wonderfully that I wouldn’t have her anywhere else. I miss her terribly, but I’m grateful she is happy. Thank you BYU-Hawaii. Thank you Paige.
- Teenagers – In addition to Paige, we have two other teenagers and one younger daughter who’s officially in the pre-teen stage. They are all fantastic and frustrating – often at the same time. They are each so talented. They each bring enormous joy into my life despite the occasional bump along the way. Thank you Paige. Thank you James. Thank you Thomas. Thank you Annie.
I don’t know why the peace I feel on the other side of life’s challenges is more profound than at other times. Perhaps it’s the contrast between uncertainty and stability. Perhaps it’s a Heavenly gift.
I don’t believe the challenges we experience are “given” to us by God. However, I believe in a loving God who allows us to go through life’s challenges knowing the serenity of the peace that often follows.
