There are no coincidences

I went to the Women of Faith Conference this past weekend and they talked about there being no coincidences.  This got me thinking about some recent events that have occurred in my life due to some choices I have made. They are far from the best choices I could have made.  To be honest I have made some out right lousy choices.  With that being said and knowing that God’s hand is in everything and he knows the beginning from the end. I wonder how my choices fit into God’s plan. Then I recalled a talk by Dallen H. Oaks entitled Good, Better, Best. I know that the choices I made were far from what God would consider “Best” choices. But what if God has a plan for us and life is like a “choose your own adventure” book. God hopes we make the “Best” choice, but knowing that we all have our own free agency he writes out 3 scripts. So even if we choose the “Good” plan and not the “Best” plan all is not lost in his grand plan for our life.   With every choice we make he has a set of lessons for us to learn and experiences for us to go through.  As we learn and experience it equips us for our next adventure.

If I go with this theory, I can still feel guilty about not making the “Best” choice, but instead of spending all my time beating myself up over my lousy choice I can analyze the choice I did make and see what lessons I learned and how learning those lessons at this time of my life will be beneficial.  Hopefully as life goes on I will learn the lessons God has for me and next time I will choose the “Best” choice.

With that being said let’s examine what lessons I learned, talents I have developed, strengths have I gained: 

1. I have learned that talking about certain topics really make me grouchy, upset, irritated, and depressed.  With that being said I am learning how to eloquently maneuver around those subjects in conversation.  It’s not easy when these subjects are standard like the weather. But with enough practice I’ll get it down.  In addition I am learning to surround myself with people who have enough grace that they will not keep brining up these uncomfortable subjects. It’s not everything about this subject either; it’s the depth within the subject.  And I know I’m not the only one who this subject effects. A very good friend of mine also feels the same way and after learning this, neither of us brings this subject up.  The good thing is because we both know of each other’s struggles we are able to share our successes, something that we really can’t talk to others about and they don’t understand.
2. I am getting better at walking away from uncomfortable situations. And resisting temptations.
3. I am getting better at saying “No.”
4. I am making a more conscious effort of whom I surround myself with.  I have a renewed appreciation for my friends.
5. Have gained an appreciation for curfews.
6. I am more conscious of my interactions with others.