Such is Life

So I was working the other day and met this cute gal named Natalie. Somehow in the two and half months I've worked, we've never had a shift together. We got to know each other a little bit and lo and behold, she also has a missionary boyfriend going out within the next three weeks. I didn't know how much I really needed to talk about Ben's mission until I talked with her and it was a huge release! Keep that burden off my shoulders for a little while!! She was so kind and so cheerful; I really felt a sisterhood with her as we are experiencing the same big changes in our lives.

In the car on my way home, (because the car is a great place for me and God to talk, I've noticed) I was telling Him how grateful I was that I was able to meet someone and confide in someone who knew exactly what I'm going through: the pain, the joy, the hope, the worry, the sadness, the determination. And then the Spirit gave me a very obvious "oh wait" moment.

The Savior, of course, knows exactly what we are going through. He suffered human pain and emotion that He could know how to relate to us in our times of need. Alma 7:12 in the Book of Mormon reminds us, "he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Jesus Christ feels my pain, and "[my] walls are continually before [Him]" (1 Nephi 21:16) because He loves me.

Ben is leaving in around sixteen days. Honestly, I'm feeling the pressure. We are always talking about it, trying to console ourselves, find peace,encourage each other, keep our relationship strong. It's hard. But I know I can do all things through Christ. This mission is a good thing. It will bless him as he goes out to serve and preach. Jesus Christ went below all things so that we don't have to. We don't have to be alone. He promises that as long as we seek to follow His commands, He will grant us the strength we need to perform them.

I know that Jesus Christ loves me, and that makes things all better, if just for today.