From Darkness to Light
Ahhh, another week has come and gone. Hopefully it has been good for all. Ours has been fairly uneventful. Just the normal routines of life. I know I have mentioned this, but it feels kind of weird to know it is Summer, but not really tracking it like would normally. I had to remind SnackPack that yes, it is Summer, but that he is a graduated adult now. We don't get Summers off from life. Yes, I know that the Professor still looks at her time as Summer, but she really has not had one of those either. She has been in the classroom all week and the students start on Tuesday.
Any who, on with my thoughts. We have been talking a great deal lately about teaching, studying, helping others do the same. It is something that continues to be on my mind. As a ward council we have been discussing a wonderful talk written by Elder Bednar, "Reservoir of Living Water". (2007) I have been pondering the ninety and nine, the one, and so much more. I love the JST of this verse of scripture.
Yes, I know I am rambling. Sorry, let me try to stay focused. Currently, the thought on my mind comes from Alma 26:3. This was part of this weeks Sunday School lesson. I love the conversion story of these people, but note it did not take place overnight. It took years. Even after they had been baptized, they continued to grow, learn, and envelope themselves in more light. We should not get down if we do not see things happening as quickly as we would like them too.
This verse really shows that. The sons of Mosiah understood that these people had been in darkness. They had been there themselves at one point in their lives. As I try to visualize this thought. Have you ever been in complete darkness? The darkest abyss? What do you see? Why do you go there? How did you get there? Was a personal choice or did the light in your life just slowly dim?
There are so many questions one could ask. However, my thoughts went to the process. Once in that darkness, our vision adjusts. We become accustomed to the darkness, our senses become numb to the cold, the loneliness, the lack of light. What would happen if the light was suddenly turned on? Have you ever been there? How does your body react? What about your vision? Do you see everything at once? Some times the light is so bright, it almost hurts? We look to the source of the light. There maybe times that we shade or close our eyes to all that the light reveals because we cannot handle it. Can you see yourself in this environment?
Now, let continue. If you have been in the dark, not seeing anything, can you imagine it? In that darkness, would you worry about your hair, face, clothes, or such? Once the light starts, do you think it would become a focus? What would you be concerned about? Think of those coming out of darkness? As their eyes adjust, what might they focus on? As they become more accustomed to the light, what might they start to see, wonder about, or even worry about?
Are we all not this way? As the brightness of the light increases, we become more aware of the small things, we pay more attention to the finer details, as we do so, the light becomes brighter. The Lord opens our eyes of understanding, sight, and glory. It is a process. It does not happen all at once.
Where are you? Are you seeking more light? What about those around you? Are you sharing the right amount of light? It is a process, but once there, if received, it is marvelous. Something that is hard to describe to one who is in the darkest abyss. They have to experience it for themselves, but not so much that it blinds them, but little by little as they become accustomed to it.
I have shared just the surface of my thoughts. I hope it gives you something to ponder. Something to teach. Something to understand.
On with the week:
Like I said, the week has been pretty routine. The Queen has taken a break from meetings during the week. She was given a bicycle for her anniversary that opened a new set of adventures. It has been fun to ride around with her. It is one of those process things, not all at once.
The Professor has been in the classroom all week trying to prepare a magical experience for Tuesday. SnackPack and his side kick went out and helped her towards the end of the week. I am sure it will be amazing.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo are busy, busy, busy. They dropped in a couple of times between practises and set building. It was nice to have them over for dinner this evening to celebrate another year for Tall Man. Yep, we had the normal. It was good.
SnackPack has been adventurous this week. He went south to experience a different pool or water activity. He said it was fun at the peaks. He started the week off on the other side of the mountain in a canoe. They said it was the only place they could go to avoid the green infestation in the valleys. So he started with one water adventure and ended with another. He filled rest with just the mundane life of a water guard on the West side.
That is it, not much else to report. If I think of anything, I will share it next week. Until then,
Cheers
Any who, on with my thoughts. We have been talking a great deal lately about teaching, studying, helping others do the same. It is something that continues to be on my mind. As a ward council we have been discussing a wonderful talk written by Elder Bednar, "Reservoir of Living Water". (2007) I have been pondering the ninety and nine, the one, and so much more. I love the JST of this verse of scripture.
Yes, I know I am rambling. Sorry, let me try to stay focused. Currently, the thought on my mind comes from Alma 26:3. This was part of this weeks Sunday School lesson. I love the conversion story of these people, but note it did not take place overnight. It took years. Even after they had been baptized, they continued to grow, learn, and envelope themselves in more light. We should not get down if we do not see things happening as quickly as we would like them too.
This verse really shows that. The sons of Mosiah understood that these people had been in darkness. They had been there themselves at one point in their lives. As I try to visualize this thought. Have you ever been in complete darkness? The darkest abyss? What do you see? Why do you go there? How did you get there? Was a personal choice or did the light in your life just slowly dim?
There are so many questions one could ask. However, my thoughts went to the process. Once in that darkness, our vision adjusts. We become accustomed to the darkness, our senses become numb to the cold, the loneliness, the lack of light. What would happen if the light was suddenly turned on? Have you ever been there? How does your body react? What about your vision? Do you see everything at once? Some times the light is so bright, it almost hurts? We look to the source of the light. There maybe times that we shade or close our eyes to all that the light reveals because we cannot handle it. Can you see yourself in this environment?
Now, let continue. If you have been in the dark, not seeing anything, can you imagine it? In that darkness, would you worry about your hair, face, clothes, or such? Once the light starts, do you think it would become a focus? What would you be concerned about? Think of those coming out of darkness? As their eyes adjust, what might they focus on? As they become more accustomed to the light, what might they start to see, wonder about, or even worry about?
Are we all not this way? As the brightness of the light increases, we become more aware of the small things, we pay more attention to the finer details, as we do so, the light becomes brighter. The Lord opens our eyes of understanding, sight, and glory. It is a process. It does not happen all at once.
Where are you? Are you seeking more light? What about those around you? Are you sharing the right amount of light? It is a process, but once there, if received, it is marvelous. Something that is hard to describe to one who is in the darkest abyss. They have to experience it for themselves, but not so much that it blinds them, but little by little as they become accustomed to it.
I have shared just the surface of my thoughts. I hope it gives you something to ponder. Something to teach. Something to understand.
On with the week:
Like I said, the week has been pretty routine. The Queen has taken a break from meetings during the week. She was given a bicycle for her anniversary that opened a new set of adventures. It has been fun to ride around with her. It is one of those process things, not all at once.
The Professor has been in the classroom all week trying to prepare a magical experience for Tuesday. SnackPack and his side kick went out and helped her towards the end of the week. I am sure it will be amazing.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo are busy, busy, busy. They dropped in a couple of times between practises and set building. It was nice to have them over for dinner this evening to celebrate another year for Tall Man. Yep, we had the normal. It was good.
SnackPack has been adventurous this week. He went south to experience a different pool or water activity. He said it was fun at the peaks. He started the week off on the other side of the mountain in a canoe. They said it was the only place they could go to avoid the green infestation in the valleys. So he started with one water adventure and ended with another. He filled rest with just the mundane life of a water guard on the West side.
That is it, not much else to report. If I think of anything, I will share it next week. Until then,
Cheers
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