‘Karen’s’ story stirs
appreciation for values

The first time I met "Karen," I could not help but notice our similarities. We were both in our mid-20s and married for a few years. We shared similar undergraduate education and mutual friends. I immediately felt a connection to Karen and was eager to learn more about her. But as our conversation progressed, I realized our lives were starkly different.

Although Karen was recently married, she was in the process of divorcing her husband. She had suffered severe domestic abuse during their relatively short marriage and had made several trips to the hospital. Her husband's violence had left her with painful injuries and multiple stitches, but for years she had tried to hide the extent of the abuse.

As her husband's behavior became increasingly violent, she became more concerned with the welfare of their two children and found the courage to leave her husband and seek a divorce. Her final comment seemed to sum up her feelings about her situation: "I just married the wrong guy."

My heart ached as I listened to her story, and I wondered how a woman so attractive, intelligent and full of potential could have found herself in such a dire situation.

Our conversation made me reflect on my life and the choices that I have made. I thought about the various challenges I had faced in my life and how grateful I was for the gospel-based principles of our church and the values my parents had instilled in me early in life based on faith in God. I believe in prayer, and I rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance when making decisions.

I know that my life has been happier and fuller, and I have felt more at peace, because of the choices that I made based on these gospel principles.

As I looked across the table at Karen, my chest felt tight, and it was difficult to hold back my tears. They were tears of sorrow for the painful situation Karen was dealing with and yet tears of gratitude for the gospel of Jesus Christ, which brought me so much peace and happiness, even in times of adversity.

I know that Karen has a long road of healing and recovery in front of her, but I am grateful for her courage to make some difficult decisions. I hope her choices bring her great joy in the future. I hope she finds a spiritual strength to guide her in her decisions.