One Leg On A Three-Legged Stool

"Hope is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances. It pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn. It encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father, who has prepared a way for those who seek for eternal truth in a world of relativism, confusion, and of fear."

Hope is defined in the dictionary as the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. Yet I feel there is so much to this word. The word itself gives me hope. It causes a peace of mind the knowledge that with faith things will be better.

Hope has become the word that defines my life at this time. I am constantly trying to have hope and to have faith in a Father in Heaven who knows us each individually. Because of this I am constantly trying to study and read about it so that I can better develop the attribute of hope. I came across a talk given by James E. Faust where he said exactly what I was thinking in regards to this attribute, "Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope."

My life is not currently where I had seen. If someone had asked me ten years ago where I envisioned my life at this time I would never have said any of the things I am currently doing. Did I see myself still living at home? Did I see myself still being single? Did I see myself not having graduated college? No. I did not envision any of those things, but do I regret any of those things in my life? With much thought I can honestly answer no, because every experience that has happened has helped mold me into the person that I currently am. This person is rough around the edges and still has much to learn but yet by exercising faith and endurance I have been able to better myself into a stronger individual.

President Dieter F Uchtdorf defined hope as, "Hope is one leg of a three-legged stool, together with faith and charity. These three stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might encounter at the time."

May each of us try to establish hope in our lives that through hope and faith and love we may be able to develop stronger relationships with a Heavenly Father who is constantly aware of each of us. That through hope a ray of sunshine and peace may help us stabilize our lives no matter where we may be led along the path.