Example from the ants

So, tonight I had the opportunity to witness an ant carrying something to it's nest.

There were holes in the grout in the flooring and that's where he was headed, I discovered them while sweeping the floor, but before grabbing my manager I noticed this tiny ant dragging with him a crumb that was twice his size.

Of course I've read and been taught about how ants can carry about 100 times their weight.  Which is a lot, and it's crazy that something so small can carry that much.  I struggle with a 50 lb. bag of something.  But this fact is something that you read and study about, but you never fully accept that as a truth until you see it in person. 

So, for about 45 seconds I watched in awe as this little ant dragged this crumb up to the small hole in the floor, then when he was a 1/4 of an inch away from the den several more came up to him and helped pick up the crumb, then they proceeded to take it into the hole.   And oddly enough, it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life.  It was one of those things that reminded me that there is a God in the Heavens, and that He orchestrated how everything worked. 

Naturally, something as small as an ant would need to have lots of food, just because of how many mouths that need to be fed.  On top of, who knows how much the queen ant eats.  So, God made it so they could work hard and reap large benefits from their pressing forward and doing their part to be successful.  Not just as a gatherer ant, but also doing it in a way that it benefits the others too.

So, being who I am I tried to find a way to relate this to life.  We all know life isn't easy, and it requires a lot of work.  Especially as we grow up, there are decisions to be made and we need to work hard to make sure that those decisions benefit us as best as they can.  There is a lot that we can and need to do in order to survive in this crazy world, and some days, it's easy to want to say "Forget this! I'm done!"  And just quit. I've done this a few times in my life, giving up is the easy part - but the regret that follows months or years down the road truly does suck.   Then tonight I see this ant, working his way to help the colony succeed, possibly to help himself succeed.  I try to imagine an ant deciding he's done and can't do anymore work, but that image doesn't work.  They truly are tireless creatures, but they are such a great example of taking on a lot more than one should be able to handle, yet handling it with ease.  And as soon as he reaches a certain point, others come and help him to finish the journey.

We were placed on this earth by a Loving Heavenly Father to work hard and develop ourselves to become better and reach the potential that we have inside of us.  Some days the path seems easy, and we feel like we can take on the world.  Yet at times, we have a trial, a stumbling block.  Something hard that makes us want to fall to our knees in anguish and cry: "I'm done! I can't do this anymore".   In times like that, it is easy to question things, and it is easy to quit progressing.  But it's those who stand back up and keep going that will find they are better off in the end.  Because they didn't quit, they plugged along. 

Yet, it's not something we were meant to do alone.  Just like the ants who hurried out to help in the last stretch of the journey  we too can have help.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ is there to help us through those hard times.  He get's it, because he felt that pain too.  And relying on Him, during all times of life, will make even the hardest of times, a little bit easier to bare. 

Matthew 11:28-30: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Just like the ant, we can make it through a long haul in life.  And we can come out successful in the end of the journey.  If we remember to trust in Heavenly Father and Christ, and let Him relieve us of our pains and sorrows we can make it back home to them one day.   It's remembering to not give up, and to "endure to the end" that will get us there.