Up and Down, Up and Down

Life is like a roller coaster--we get in the car as that car slowly climbs to the top of the peak. We are waiting and waiting, and then, the moment comes. We have reached the peak of the roller coaster looking out at all the world; and then it happens. Excitement swells within us as we go zooming down, screaming with happiness and joy with our hands up in the air; and then it happens. We are at the bottom having to wait once more as that car slowly climbs to the top.

We live in a world that causes us to work with all our might to reach our goal only to have discouragement, sadness, guilt or sin enter our thrill ride; and before we know it, we are back on the bottom. The excitement is gone, even the happiness might be gone; and we know we are on a track but have to start climbing all over again.

I walk 2.5 miles a day. Walking with Hatcher (the dog), we start out and we are reallymoving along. It is step by step, but they are fast steps and I am in heaven. There is something about walking. My mind clears up by giving me time to just think with no interruptions. I even pray silently while walking and sometimes inspiration comes to me. We leave our home and head out to the street. Oh, what a glorious thing this is. I am revved up and ready to go. Things go pretty well for awhile; but oh, that last half mile of the walk. My thoughts change, and I am thinking to myself, why do I do this? I am sweating and probably look like a wet dish cloth. Sweat is dripping into my eyes and with wearing glasses it is quite difficult to wipe the sweat out of your eyes. Thoughts go through my head that it is time to quit walking every day. It's too much work, where's the reward? And then, I realize how close we are to home. Something within me gives me the excitement to keep on plodding along the trail because before we know it, we will be back to our home. Arriving home is like heaven--I open that back door and am hit with celestial cool air; I get that cold water bottle out of the referigerator and it is like drinking celestial water. That's when I realize this is what my life on earth is all about.

I am reading Bruce Wilcox's book "The Contiuous Atonement". It is one of the best books I have ever read. The other night this is what I read and I quote it exactly as printed in his book:

"I remember as a young school teacher (with a large and active class) asking my wife, Debi, 'When does life even out? Why does it always feel like a roller coaster with so many highs and lows all in the same day? I wish life would just level out.' Being a nurse Debi replied 'Brad, when you get hooked up to the heart monitor, you don't want to see a straight line. That's bad news. It's the up and down lines that let you know you are alive.' The highs and lows let us know we are participating and not just observing, learning and not just existing. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "I know it isn't easy. It's discouraging at times, sure. Aren't you glad it isn't just fun all the time? Those valleys of discouragement make more beautiful the peaks of achievement".

For myself, there are times I feel like my life has bottomed out and my life has flatlined. It's difficult to get those peaks going again. Just as a flat lined heart patient, we too must be zapped; but spiritually zapped. We need to bury ourselves in the scriptures, pray fervently asking the Lord to help us, go to the temple and ponder (don't just attend), and attend our meetings especially sacrament meeting. We need to renew our covenants every Sunday.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is there for all people, not just members of our church. Christ atoned for all sins, suffered all pains and discouragements. Brad Wilcox said, "The Atonement is not just for the prodigal sons out there, but also for all their brothers and sisters who stayed home. It's not just for the thieves crucified next to Christ, but for the faithful disciples who looked on as well. No one can make it to heaven on their own."

So tomorrow, once again I will get up and go for that walk looking for my temporal home to encourage me on my journey. And in life, when I am in the valleys looking up at the peaks, I will think of my Savior and what He has done for me; and I will remember that because of Him I can reach my eternal home.