Opposition in a good way

Do you ever feel like saying "why me??" I've definitely been feeling that lately. In fact, every time I look at my bathroom I can't help but think it. It's so frustrating to put so much hard work into something to have it turn out badly. Case in point- last Wednesday I spent all day taping and priming the entire bathroom, ceiling to floor (not an easy task for someone as short as I am!) By Saturday I had some time to actually work on the painting so I alternated my time between making cookies in the kitchen and painting the ceiling and then walls of the bathroom. As it drew near time to leave for a friend's recital that evening I finally got cleaned up and left the bathroom behind. At around 10:00 that night I was back home and busy trying to clean up and put the bathroom back in order. Everything was going fine until we tried to remove the tape from the uppermost edge of the wall, where it meets the ceiling. I already knew I was going to have to paint this small area after everything else was done because of having to tape it off to paint the ceiling. What I didn't know is that the tape would take the primer off the wall and some of the paint off the ceiling. It was at this moment that I wanted to scream "WHY ME??" After all my hard work and effort I had a bathroom that once again isn't usable and complete. (And yes, I know I should be working on that rather than blogging... )

Life isn't all bad, though. Remember, there is opposition in all things. So even though the time spent on my bathroom has been horrible (did I mention that painting is my absolutely least favorite thing to do??) I've had equally opposite and uplifting things happening in my life. The other stuff I've been busy with for the past couple of weeks has been good stuff. Plenty of service opportunities and being very productive.

I really wish every sister had an opportunity to be Relief Society president at least once in her life. This has been the most challenging, time consuming but fulfilling experience I've ever had. I have gained a greater appreciation for how each of us contributes and how each sister is really needed. So many sisters don't realize just how much they really can or do contribute. I wish you could see all the good I see being done. I wish we all had the ability to see everyone as God sees them, but I have been given glimpses of that. I see so much potential! But I'd spare you the heartache and sadness of seeing those whose lives are so out of balance that they can't spare any time for others; or the ones who have so little understanding of who they could be that they withdraw in fear from the opportunity to serve and grow.
I've had many chances to serve people that I might otherwise have never gotten to know and love. And I've been pushed so far beyond my comfort zone that I've had no choice but to trust in the Lord to show me the way. I'm grateful for the patience that not only Heavenly Father has shown me as I've been learning (often through mistakes) but also the support and patience that the sisters have shown me, even when I know I haven't done a very good job.
I think the most important thing I've learned is this: Life is so much better when you reach outside of yourself and really put love into action. There really is no greater joy on earth. And no better way to increase in confidence and ability.
So keep on doing what you're doing- loving, serving, helping, caring. Each little gesture and every big act of sacrifice helps bind us together. We cannot be whole without each other.