Behind the Scenes
Hopefully you're not opposed to yet another of my long-winded-analogy-things about life. . . Because it's about to happen again :)
It all started when I stumbled across this picture on Facebook:
Love it.
I also happened to be listening to THIS song from about the 5:10 minute mark to the 7:10 minute mark. Do it. I dare you.
Right click on the link to the song and select "Open link in new tab". Let it buffer for a bit until you can click to the 5 minute mark. Now listen to it while looking at that picture the entire time and try not to think about anything going on around you. If possible, pop in some ear buds and enlarge the picture. Block out {for just a moment} the wailing kids or husband ;) , the threat of world domination from the dust bunnies . . . everything but the music and the picture. Have a moment of meditation for yourself.
. . . . .
How did you feel?
What did you feel?
When is the last time you felt that way?
. . . .
This little moment of mine also happened to occur shortly after hearing about the shooting in Colorado. I was deeply shaken and mourning for those affected. I was thinking about life and how fragile it is, and how the world around us is in turmoil nearly every day for one reason or another. I was sad. I needed comfort.
I found that and more thanks to the Spirit I felt while listening to that music and looking at that picture. I suddenly knew that it was going to be okay. I knew that nothing had changed and that the world was still the same place, but the turmoil and confusion that reigned there no longer reigned inside of me, and I was free to feel peace.
The same feeling can come into YOUR life no matter your circumstance or situation. Perfection is not required to feel comfort and love from our Father in Heaven. The last thing He wants is for us to feel hopeless and frightened.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7
{One thing I'd like to point out really quick is that each of us feel the Spirit differently, and maybe your moment with that picture did nothing for you. That doesn't mean you're broken or that I'm crazy, it simply means that the Holy Ghost touches your heart in a different way than it does mine. Each situation is different, just as each person is. The reason I wanted you to have that "moment" is so that you could have a few minutes to relax and invite the Spirit into your mind. I challenge you to take the time to do what works for you to invite the Spirit to testify to you that things are still okay. In your life; in the world; they are okay.}
. . . . .
Now look at that picture again for a quick second. What is the first thing you notice about it?
For me, it was the beautiful sunlight. Next, it was the field of flowers; then the sky and unique lighting as a result of the clouds.
MUCH farther down the list, I noted that the field is actually wet. Like, really wet. If you look at the bottom left hand side, you can see that the photographer is practically standing in a lake.
Okay, now stay with me here. . . I'm about to go into crazy-Jessica mode. :)
Sometimes we have to wade through quite a bit of muck to get to a scenic vista in our lives. That photographer knew that if s/he were to get the perfect shot, they were going to have to get dirty. And wet. And probably have to fend of countless bug bites and leeches. There were likely plants and hidden obstacles that tried to trip them and make them think twice about getting that beautiful shot.
Was it really worth all that effort?
Well, you look at the picture and tell me. Was it worth a little sweat to share that photo with the world?
What about the obstacles in our own lives? Are we willing to tread through some grief and pain in order to reach and view something glorious? Is the end result worth standing {for a brief moment} in a huge puddle?
Our struggles might seem like they last forEVER. Trust me. I know! But our life here on Earth is actually shorter than we can comprehend, and Heavenly Father has promised us that we will never be tempted above what we can handle {1 cor 10:13} and that we will never be left comfortless {John 14:18}. We agreed to some hardships before we ever came down here. It was part of the deal! We knew it would be hard, but we were prepared. We can be prepared again if we use the tools Heavenly Father has given us. It's simple, but not always easy to do. We have to exercise a great deal of faith in order to think that He can give us tangible comfort in the midst of a painful trial.
But I testify to you that He will. He will not step back and watch us suffer from afar. We may push him away, but he will never leave. We are here to help each other remember how very significant we are in our Father's sight, and to learn how to be more like Him. We cannot do that without undergoing difficult times, and we cannot do that without a measure of sacrifice.
So when {not if} you find yourself in the middle of a giant puddle, remember to look up and see the beautiful scene that is right in front of you. Don't get so caught up in your wet feet that you miss the blessings that Heavenly Father is offering.
{If you're in the market for an excellent address regarding this subject, click HERE and read President Monson's talk "Be of Good Cheer"}
It all started when I stumbled across this picture on Facebook:
 |
| {source} |
I also happened to be listening to THIS song from about the 5:10 minute mark to the 7:10 minute mark. Do it. I dare you.
Right click on the link to the song and select "Open link in new tab". Let it buffer for a bit until you can click to the 5 minute mark. Now listen to it while looking at that picture the entire time and try not to think about anything going on around you. If possible, pop in some ear buds and enlarge the picture. Block out {for just a moment} the wailing kids or husband ;) , the threat of world domination from the dust bunnies . . . everything but the music and the picture. Have a moment of meditation for yourself.
. . . . .
How did you feel?
What did you feel?
When is the last time you felt that way?
. . . .
This little moment of mine also happened to occur shortly after hearing about the shooting in Colorado. I was deeply shaken and mourning for those affected. I was thinking about life and how fragile it is, and how the world around us is in turmoil nearly every day for one reason or another. I was sad. I needed comfort.
I found that and more thanks to the Spirit I felt while listening to that music and looking at that picture. I suddenly knew that it was going to be okay. I knew that nothing had changed and that the world was still the same place, but the turmoil and confusion that reigned there no longer reigned inside of me, and I was free to feel peace.
The same feeling can come into YOUR life no matter your circumstance or situation. Perfection is not required to feel comfort and love from our Father in Heaven. The last thing He wants is for us to feel hopeless and frightened.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7
{One thing I'd like to point out really quick is that each of us feel the Spirit differently, and maybe your moment with that picture did nothing for you. That doesn't mean you're broken or that I'm crazy, it simply means that the Holy Ghost touches your heart in a different way than it does mine. Each situation is different, just as each person is. The reason I wanted you to have that "moment" is so that you could have a few minutes to relax and invite the Spirit into your mind. I challenge you to take the time to do what works for you to invite the Spirit to testify to you that things are still okay. In your life; in the world; they are okay.}
. . . . .
Now look at that picture again for a quick second. What is the first thing you notice about it?
For me, it was the beautiful sunlight. Next, it was the field of flowers; then the sky and unique lighting as a result of the clouds.
MUCH farther down the list, I noted that the field is actually wet. Like, really wet. If you look at the bottom left hand side, you can see that the photographer is practically standing in a lake.
Okay, now stay with me here. . . I'm about to go into crazy-Jessica mode. :)
Sometimes we have to wade through quite a bit of muck to get to a scenic vista in our lives. That photographer knew that if s/he were to get the perfect shot, they were going to have to get dirty. And wet. And probably have to fend of countless bug bites and leeches. There were likely plants and hidden obstacles that tried to trip them and make them think twice about getting that beautiful shot.
Was it really worth all that effort?
Well, you look at the picture and tell me. Was it worth a little sweat to share that photo with the world?
What about the obstacles in our own lives? Are we willing to tread through some grief and pain in order to reach and view something glorious? Is the end result worth standing {for a brief moment} in a huge puddle?
Our struggles might seem like they last forEVER. Trust me. I know! But our life here on Earth is actually shorter than we can comprehend, and Heavenly Father has promised us that we will never be tempted above what we can handle {1 cor 10:13} and that we will never be left comfortless {John 14:18}. We agreed to some hardships before we ever came down here. It was part of the deal! We knew it would be hard, but we were prepared. We can be prepared again if we use the tools Heavenly Father has given us. It's simple, but not always easy to do. We have to exercise a great deal of faith in order to think that He can give us tangible comfort in the midst of a painful trial.
But I testify to you that He will. He will not step back and watch us suffer from afar. We may push him away, but he will never leave. We are here to help each other remember how very significant we are in our Father's sight, and to learn how to be more like Him. We cannot do that without undergoing difficult times, and we cannot do that without a measure of sacrifice.
So when {not if} you find yourself in the middle of a giant puddle, remember to look up and see the beautiful scene that is right in front of you. Don't get so caught up in your wet feet that you miss the blessings that Heavenly Father is offering.
{If you're in the market for an excellent address regarding this subject, click HERE and read President Monson's talk "Be of Good Cheer"}
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