Bright Future

President Thomas S. Monson, Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said recently while addressing church members around the world, "Your future is as bright as your faith."

Those words have really come to mean a lot to me over the last few weeks. In days when many people are feeling the hardship of losing jobs, downturns in the economy, political debates that are coming to a head, and other more personal struggles, the idea that a bright future can be achieved with personal faith takes all of the out of control things and puts them in perspective.

My future is as bright as I choose to make it regardless of the outward influences. Can a bad economy steal my sense of humor? Can losing a job take away the love I have for my husband or children? Will any amount of recession make the Fall leaves and the glorious sunsets around me any less beautiful? NO. What trouble can do is make us forget that there is a limit to what we can control. I can not singlehandedly change the recession, but I can refuse to participate in it. I can be a better stewart over my wealth and possessions and I can find joy in the many many wonderful things in my life. Now is the time to have faith.

I'm planning for a bright future, regardless of the shadows the world creates. Even on a cloudy day the sun is still shining...that's where the silver lining comes from.