I'm grateful

 

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems

Written by Erik, December 2016

Sometimes it's easy to think "Why was I given this trial?" But I've learned that I should be grateful... which may not make sense: I'm grateful that God loves me enough to give me these trials. I'm grateful that He wants to test me... to see how I can learn and grow from this. Hopefully to one day become just like him.

Heavenly Father loves us so much. He cares about everything we will ever go through. His son, our brother, Jesus Christ performed the Atonement so that we never have to feel anything alone. He will help us and lift us up when we need it. 

My favorite scripture is Isaiah 40:31... "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." 

However detrimental my trials may be, God is there. And one day I'll get to look into my Savior's eyes and say, "Thank you... I couldn't have done it without you." And that is what keeps me going. 

A Teenage Boy Blogger

 

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems
Written by Erik, January 2015

There is an idea that “only women should have a blog”, 

but I, along with many others, am happily an exception. 

I put off starting a blog for months for many reasons: time, procrastination, and self-doubt. 

When I finally went for it and started my blog two years ago, I initially worried what others would think of me and what they would say. 

I had spent many years as a self-conscious teenager trying to fit in, only doing what was “cool”, and limiting myself from my full potential. 

After a cancer diagnosis, and then self-identification because of it, I came to realize that it doesn’t matter what people think. 

Once that thought came to my head, my attitude about blogging changed; I should do what makes me happy. I love writing and I love sharing my experiences, and for that purpose I have maintained a blog that shares my journey through cancer, faith, hope, and desire to change the world. 

I am a cancer survivor, a blogger, and a man.

Life is What You Make It

 

Erik Gray's journals
#journalgems

excerpt from a blog post
Written by Erik, December 2016

In my life experiences, I am certain more and more every day that life is what you make it. 

If you want life to be hard, it's going to be hard. 

If you want life to be fun and adventurous, then again, you've got it. 

Yes, there are circumstances in life that cannot be controlled- for example, my cancer- 

but I have decided that I will worry about what I can control.

(ERIKisms: Erik's thoughts on Erik's photos)