Opposition in all Things

Top painting by Trent Gudmundsen Painting on right by Laila Garza

One thing we know about life is things never go as planned. Most of us like to feel consistency in our lives and often resist change. If we really could control what happens in our lives our progression would probably be very small. We'd live in a safe little box with our limited view of what we think we need and want. But Heavenly Father has a much greater plan for us. His dreams for us are greater than we can imagine. So he mixes things up. When, in His wisdom he knows it's time for growth he gives us challenges. He stretches us. He patiently and lovingly waits for us to reach for Him when we feel all hope is gone - when life is too scary to handle alone. Picture a baby who is learning to walk. They don't beleive they can do it. It's really scary. But they get placed in a position where they have to do something. They have to try and begin to take a step and then another and when they begin to fall a loving mother or father catches them. Then what do they feel - surprised, excited, encouraged.

If things always went the way we wanted life would be pretty boring. Whenever I'm sick with the flu and I start to feel better I feel so happy and thankful for life. We don't appreciate health without sickness, or cleanliness without messiness, happiness without some misery, or life without death . A scripture in the Book of Mormon states, "For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11) So there really is purpose in the pain of life. Heavenly Father is not unfeeling but full of love. He knows the end and all the blessings in store for us.

This even applies to painting. This week I'm sharing the things I've learned from Utah Artist Trent Gudmundsen. He said that you can't have bright color without gray or dull colors. If you apply bright color alone it won't appear as bright as if you pair it with a gray (especially a gray with it's complimentary color). So even in what we see visually God created it that way. Paintings are brighter when there's gray and life is brighter and better when there are gray days.

I know a big part of frustration in my life as a Mom is when my children fight and don't get along. I think that's why it's so sweet when I see them love eachother and be kind to eachother. I did a little painting of such a moment of my two youngest children to remind me and them to try to have more loving moments.

So don't fight the stretching and growth needed in your life. You will be surprised that you are stronger than you thought you were and you'll move forward in the great plan of progression and happiness - instead of living in a cozy and safe little box.