What Got Me Through

 

Whenever I have a problem I Google it.

I do. I totally Google my problems with the hopes that I'll find that magic solution in 2.1 seconds with the answers listed in order of importance --from best to worst -- with ten pages to choose from.

Of course I pray about it, too, and ask my friends and family members for advice. But eventually I turn to Google and ask it what I should do. I am always hopeful that this time the solution to my problem is as easy to find as typing "what do I do" into Google.

It's not.

But I keep doing it, hoping that I'll find those magic solutions.

Don't we all wish our problems could be solved just by asking Google? We're looking for the solutions, we're asking the questions and sometimes it's really hard to hear the answers from Him. So, we turn to "the world".

Only "the world" typically doesn't have the heaping dose of hope that we are searching for. 

When I am in the middle of my muck, I try to attend everything I can to see if the Lord will reach out to me and give me my answers. Womens Conference? Yes. Time Out For Women? Yup. Stake Relief Society Conferences? You Bet. Enrichment Meetings (or whatever it is they're calling it these days)? Sure.

The problem is that rarely have I found that version of hope, comfort or even an answer that I am so desperately searching for. Why? Because sometimes in order to get that nugget of hope that will keep me pushing forward requires other people to be vulnerable and to share. And that, my friends, is a scary thing for most of us to do--open up and be vulnerable. Sharing our struggles and trials does just that-- it makes us vulnerable and easy targets for trolls.

So what do we do? We keep quiet and share nothing... and keep Googling trying to find what it is we are searching for--hoping eventually we will find it.

When you're struggling it's lonely and hard . It's so much work to try and figure out how to solve your problems. Especially when those problems include other people.

This idea made us both Caroline and I start to think: How many other people out there are searching for answers or some hope-- via Google? How many people are Googling their trials? Their problems? Their stresses with the hopes of finding something that will get them through?  Some sort of answer that worked for someone else? 

That's really why we Google. We want help. We want answers. Solutions. Hope.

• My son doesn't want to go on a mission... 
• I'm super sick, what's wrong with me...
• My daughter has spinal-bifada...
• My husband likes porn...
• My baby died and I'm falling apart...
• My mom has been given 6 months to live...
• I have cancer...  
• My child has a severe mental illness...
• My marriage is falling apart... 
• My kid is on drugs...
• My husband had an affair..

Maybe deep down we know we aren't really going to find that magic 8-ball answer when we Google it. But it sure would be nice if we could at least find someone else who has traveled the road we are traveling. It would be nice to read how they muddled through the muck and what Gospel principal, quote, or scripture they held onto that got them through. Or in the very least helped them hold on for just one more day.

That's where YOU and MMB come together.

Everyone has trials, problems and stress in their life. And, we want to help you, via Google, find some hope when you need it most. Hence our new feature here on MMB called "What Got Me Through"

We will feature various bloggers who currently have or had a problem, trial or stress and the gospel principal, quote or scripture that helped them cope, and gave them hope... Got them through.  And, we're going to show you how you're not alone and hopefully give you a little something to hang onto that can help get you through.

We're really excited about our new series and have several posts ready for posting. If you are interested in sharing what helped get you through a specific trial-- but don't want everyone to know-- you can do so anonymously. Send us your post and let us know if you want it anonymous or if you want it linked (and where) and we will take care of the rest.

Make sure to title it what you would Google if you were looking  for some sort of answer and we will take care of the rest so that Google will find your words of encouragement that someone else is so desperately searching for.

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