Experience, Character or Trial?

A few months ago, I picked up an elderly man (late 80's) to take him to the church. He told me he can no longer drive. He gave up his driver's license and now just has an ID card which looks like a driver's license. He was a little sad that he could no longer drive.

This experience brought back memories. About 13-15 years ago, I was on vacation in Utah. My father wanted me to help him with some errands. We drove to Farmington to the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles. We stood in line patiently. Finally, it was our turn. My father surrendered his driver's license. The woman behind the counter was a little taken back by this gesture. "Sir, most people keep their license and never drive again." My father was all about doing things the right way. (I am seriously my father's child as I do the same thing). He did get an identification card. It was a difficult thing for him to give up the license but he felt he was no longer safe to drive and did not want to cause a problem. He was over 80 at the time. I was proud of my father but felt bad for him at the same time.

While the giving up the license was tough, he faced a more difficult experience. He told me at a different time, that the Bishop told my father that he no longer needed to home teach. They placed his families with other home teachers. He was so sad. He had been a home teacher for so many years. He was faithful, never missing. He was a role model for me. I never was his companion but my older brothers had that opportunity. When told he didn't have to home teach anymore, he felt quite useless. He wondered if he had any value in the kingdom anymore. But at the same time, he knew his health issues were increasing and he was having difficult times fulfilling his responsibilities.

So, when we have experiences like this in our lives, do we complain or does it build our character? Is it a trial or another phase in our life? What should be our response? Should we be like those who told Job to curse God and die? Or do we humbly submit to the will of our Father?

With some experiences or trials, I have done okay. With others, I was more like Laman or Lemuel. I hope my character is being chiseled in the right way and that I will be presentable when the time comes.