Scripture Thought
1 Nephi 5:1
Doesn't this verse say so much about the type of family Sariah and Lehi had? Have you ever felt this way about your family? I have never sent my children out on a dangerous mission by themselves. However, I send them in to the world every day. I understand completely the fears, uncertainty, and hesitation they may have felt.
As a child, I wonder if they really understood what was happening. Did Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi recognized the severity of the mission they had been sent out to accomplish? I envision Sariah reminding them of the buddy system, wishing she could tell them to call her on the cell phone when they had to walk home alone in the dark. Did they just blow her off? Did they think she was being silly?
Did Lehi give each of them a blessing before they left? Did he remind them who they were and who they represented before the left camp? Did they roll their eyes? Were they thinking that Mom and Dad just don't get it. Were they embarrassed by their actions?
As a parent, I try to imagine what it must have been like. I know the feeling in my life as I send my children off to camp, tour, college, and other adventures of life. I miss their noise, their presence at the table, and their insights on life. There are times that I wet my pillow at night as I mourn with them from a distance, as I pray for their well being, I plead for assistance in understanding, I desire that my thoughts, words, and actions would be those that the Lord would intend for me to share with these children He has entrusted into our care.
These are just a few of the feelings I experience. It is not easy. At time is it rips me apart. I am sure that Lehi and Sariah felt the same way. Yet, like them, I know that it is the only way for them to grow. They must experience life for themselves. They must prove to themselves who they are and that they are where they need to be, doing what they need to be doing, and figuring out where they have the potential to go.
I may not show it, I may not celebrate every accomplishment as Lehi and Sariah celebrated this one, but I do want them to know that I do listen, I do hear what they are doing, I do my best to understand. At the end of each day, I celebrate that each of them have made it through another day. I find joy in the fact that they are moving forward, doing their best, and seeking those paths that will lead them back to the presence of the Lord.
Doesn't this verse say so much about the type of family Sariah and Lehi had? Have you ever felt this way about your family? I have never sent my children out on a dangerous mission by themselves. However, I send them in to the world every day. I understand completely the fears, uncertainty, and hesitation they may have felt.
As a child, I wonder if they really understood what was happening. Did Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi recognized the severity of the mission they had been sent out to accomplish? I envision Sariah reminding them of the buddy system, wishing she could tell them to call her on the cell phone when they had to walk home alone in the dark. Did they just blow her off? Did they think she was being silly?
Did Lehi give each of them a blessing before they left? Did he remind them who they were and who they represented before the left camp? Did they roll their eyes? Were they thinking that Mom and Dad just don't get it. Were they embarrassed by their actions?
As a parent, I try to imagine what it must have been like. I know the feeling in my life as I send my children off to camp, tour, college, and other adventures of life. I miss their noise, their presence at the table, and their insights on life. There are times that I wet my pillow at night as I mourn with them from a distance, as I pray for their well being, I plead for assistance in understanding, I desire that my thoughts, words, and actions would be those that the Lord would intend for me to share with these children He has entrusted into our care.
These are just a few of the feelings I experience. It is not easy. At time is it rips me apart. I am sure that Lehi and Sariah felt the same way. Yet, like them, I know that it is the only way for them to grow. They must experience life for themselves. They must prove to themselves who they are and that they are where they need to be, doing what they need to be doing, and figuring out where they have the potential to go.
I may not show it, I may not celebrate every accomplishment as Lehi and Sariah celebrated this one, but I do want them to know that I do listen, I do hear what they are doing, I do my best to understand. At the end of each day, I celebrate that each of them have made it through another day. I find joy in the fact that they are moving forward, doing their best, and seeking those paths that will lead them back to the presence of the Lord.
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