City of Pity to the City of Hope

Lately, I’ve found myself living in the “City of Pity.”

It’s not a place I chose intentionally, but the trials of life can wear you down until even the weeds feel familiar. I’ve looked longingly at greener pastures in other neighborhoods, but deep down I know:

To find a greener pasture, I must move to the prosperous “City of Hope.”

Recently, while putting down roots in that bitter soil, I felt sorry for myself. I believed much of my suffering came from the choices of others. That thought trampled across the daffodils I’d tried to plant in my mind.

But then, a quiet truth reminded me:

My Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered more than anyone, for the choices of all.

That thought shifted my steps. I turned from the field of despair and began walking toward trust and hope.

It takes work to stay out of the “City of Pity.”

I still visit sometimes. But the harvest there is always bitter.

The seeds are watered with tears of despair and fertilized with negative thoughts.

And if you linger too long, you’ll find yourself feeding on a crop that poisons your spirit.

Thankfully, I’ve learned to purge that hurtful food.

I’ve remembered others who suffered because of someone else’s choices:

Lehi, Nephi, Joseph, Adam and Eve, Daniel, Alma, Amulek, Moroni…

Even today, I see friends grieving because of the choices of a spouse, a child, a stranger behind the wheel.

We all suffer because of others sometimes.

But to pass blame and let that excuse grow more hurt is just planting weeds.

It helps no one. And I have no room to cast stones, I am not without fault.

So today, I’m packing up.

I’m moving back to the “City of Hope.”

It’s not an easy place to live.

The seeds here are watered with tears of hope, sweat from hard work, and fertilized with the Love of Christ.

But the harvest?

It is good. It is plenty. It is peace.