Trials -

A young woman had a life that was not the picture perfect, man on a white horse, obey the commandments life she had envisioned for herself.

She lived "well" - didn't drink, didn't smoke, didn't sleep around, worked hard, put others first, and yet those plans that were to be her reward were naught. She fell, stood up, was knocked down, turned the other cheek, and she put one foot in front of the other, with nothing more than hope and tenacity to guide her. She pushed through, hoping that "some day . . ."

When what was to support her failed her, she looked beyond her world, for more. One day, while crossing traffic lanes, meditating on her lack-of'ness, she asked her guide, "Why me? I've done what I was asked to do, I've been good and steady, and yet this? I cannot take one more."

And the reply came, "Perhaps your trial is your blessing." She pulled her car over into slow lane, turned off her emergency lights, and embraced her journey. And her heart was at rest.