Keep your dish right side up
Nov 20th, 2007 by Bethany
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My good visiting teacher called yesterday because she heard that we were sick. We were all getting better at that point, but it was so nice to have someone call and ask if she could help. I didn't really have anything to ask her for, but she said something that was inspiring to me. She shared this quote from Brigham Young:
Let me reduce this to a simple saying—one of the most simple and homely that can be used—“Keep your dish right side up,” so that when the shower of porridge does come, you can catch your dish full (DBY, 310).
When [individuals] act upon the principles which will secure to them eternal salvation, they are sure of obtaining all their hearts’ desire, sooner or later; if it does not come today, it may come tomorrow; if it does not come in this time, it will in the next (DBY, 309).
She knows that we've struggled financially and that it can be a tough trial sometimes. She said that in similar circumstances she and her husband remind themselves that if they had to choose a trial for their family, they'd rather have financial problems than have a child terminally ill or many of the other painful circumstances you can choose from. I'm with her–as long as we don't let financial problems weaken our relationships or testimonies, there's nothing lasting in them that will hurt us. Especially since we have such a great network of family and friends and church that supports us when we need help.
I am grateful to have the trials I have, even if only because it means I don't have worse ones. I'm grateful to have an awesome visiting teacher who says what I need to hear at the right time. I'm grateful for the gospel that teaches me how to keep my dish right side up, so that when the blessings I desire become available I'll be ready to receive them.
