I Understand Life Like a Hole in the Fence!
~by Heather L.
As I was standing by my fence watching my son go by on his bike, a knothole caught my eye.
All I could see through it was a bit of dirt. Not very exciting.
I turned my camera and took a shot from the bottom of it – a little chunk of beautiful blue sky. [Unfortunately, the picture doesn’t do the sky justice, but you get the idea.]
I often feel like all I understand of life is the little muddy chunk.
How many times I’ve wished I could see more! Like the owner’s manual on my kids?! Or how long a particular problem was going to last? The end result of a cautious choice? How often I’ve wished I could see the beautiful blue end from the muddy beginning.
But life isn’t made to be that way.
God sent me here to learn to live by faith, obedience, diligence, patience, all of which I’d never learn if I knew the answers ahead of time.
Hard as it may be, not being able to see more helps me grow in faith, humility, strength, and gratitude. Ultimately I am more blessed as I become more willing to submit my will to God’s “big picture” view.
After all, He built the fence. He puts in the knotholes. He knows the end from the beginning. He wants me to succeed, and will provide a way.
All I need to do is go forward with faith, like Nephi of old:
“I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)
So maybe I can’t see the whole big picture right now.
But I can ask for help, listen to the Holy Ghost, and move forward with faith that God will “prepare a way.” He will put “holes” where I need them. I just need to look for them with hope, rather than focusing on the dirt. Then the light will shine through and brighten my journey through mud and meadow on the way to the beautiful blue end.
Beautiful, Heather! So happy and optimistic–I love it!
My dear “student” — you need to send this to the Ensign!
This is such a great analogy! I often think of them as lighted steps in the midst of darkness. It used to really frustrate me but now I understand that seeing the whole picture is not part of the plan. Faith would not be required if we could see more than we do.
Really appreciate your perspective and analogy–I feel like this too sometimes…wondering as each trial comes into my life, I ask, “How bad is this gonna hurt?”
Which is what brings me to my Heavenly Father in prayer. It is the only way to endure our challenges.
Acceptance of His will, and leaning in our faith in Him.
Thanks again.