Sunday, June 17, 2007
For the past like... hour as I've been reading blogs and keeping myself up-to-date on the lives of the people I care about, I've been contemplating this Svithe. Of course it is Fathers' Day, so I figured I'd make it to be something extra special. I don't know that I will be able to accomplish this goal, but I'll do what I can.
First I'd like to start with a slightly modified Primary Song.
"[I] have been born as Nephi of old
With goodly parents who love the Lord."
(see the Children's Songbook #172)
I have been born of very goodly parents. It has been through my father's example (and my mother's, but it's Fathers' Day today so I'm staying focused on the Dad) that I have learned how to demonstrate my love for the Lord. He taught me how to pray, shared with me his love for the scriptures, and helped me in my quest for gaining a Testimony about the Gospel. My father has also taught me the importance of work and staying out of debt (so far so good- here's to hoping I finish college before I need to take out a loan). He's shared with me a love for nature, animals, and an enthusiasm for growing things (even though I generally kill plants). My dad has demonstrated to me courage on many occasions and taught me that it's OK to be afraid sometimes. And he even gave me his wacky sense of humor (which, I'm afraid, I've since altered quite a bit to fit my personality, but there are definitely a lot of similarities still). Growing up, my dad kissed my boo-boos, hugged away my tears, did his best to ease the pain of migraines, and has always made sure that I have gotten the best medical attention available to us. Yep, I've got a pretty awesome dad. I only wish he had the answers to all of my questions.
I bet you can tell where I'm going with this. We've all got another Father. A Heavenly Father. He, too, is a goodly parent. He has given me so much in this life. He has promised me so much more to come, too.
I think I'm still growing up. I still get boo-boos. Boy, do I get boo-boos! Some of them I could have avoided if I hadn't have been so stupid, but Heavenly Father has kissed those ones away, too (metaphorically speaking, of course). And while He can't just hug me whenever I need comfort, He sends Someone Else to do it for him (namely the Holy Ghost as well as the people He has placed in my life). He's taken away the pain when it's been nigh unbearable, He's helped me through the suffering when it's something that I must experience, He's taught me the Virtues of Life and continues to teach them to me in ways that I will be sure to remember the lesson. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get it through my thick skull, but He always perseveres. He sacrificed His Only Begotten in the flesh so that I can be with Him again someday.
Heavenly Father has given me (and you) a beautiful world to live in with trees and grass and flowers and animals and the clouds and the ocean and mountains and hills and rivers and waterfalls and beaches and (well, you get the point). He has given me the world! Endless possibilities! So much potential. Can you even imagine? I know I can't. But I do my best every day.
And you know what else? Heavenly Father even has the answers to all of my questions. And, when He sees fit, He provides me with them. And this is what I have learned today: when I think I've gotten an answer, yeah. I've gotten it. I need to just stop stinkin' doubting myself all the time. I need to trust in the Lord. I need to have more faith. I need to remember that the Lord will not let me think I've gotten a different answer than the one He has actually given me.
And that's why I'm thankful for Fathers.
Happy Fathers' Day, y'all.
Always remember: wherever you go, there you are!
Labels: Family, Svithe
