I love where we live. One of the best things about it is being able to see the temple from our house. It is a beacon in the valley. Not a day goes by that one of the kids doesn't point it out while we are driving. Every time they do I remind them that as long as they can see the temple they can always find their way home. This is not only meant as a temporal reminder, but a spiritual one too for my children.
Yesterday, however was different. A thick blanket of fog was nestled into the valley all morning long, and as I loaded the kids into the car and started the familiar drive towards our chapel (which is across the street from the temple,) I couldn't see the temple. That comforting beacon that I am constantly reminding my children to set their course by was completely obscured by fog.
I quickly realized that perhaps teaching my children to just look for the temple in order to find their way home might not be enough. Sometimes you have to know where to find it. Sometimes in life the fog of doubt, despair, and sin might make it hard for us to see the eternal goal of celestial life with our Father in Heaven. It is at those times that we must press forward in faith even though we cannot see. The fog made me realized I needed to teach my children that they needed to know the way to the temple. Knowing to look for the temple is just the first step. Knowing the way to the temple will help to ensure they can get there when the fog sets in, ultimately leading them home.
We finally were able to see the temple. About the time we got to the chapel we could just make out the dark shapes of the top windows. I was grateful for the fog yesterday, and the opportunity it gave me to better teach my kids.
Great post, sounds like you are ready to be published in the New Era or the Children's Friend. What a great Family Home Evening lesson. It is important for us to know where to go to get directions when the pathway becomes unclear. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who always points us in the right direction, even when we may not be able to see. Heavenly Father is able to see what we can't. A friend of mine, is mostly blind (Jason). Since his car accident, he has mentioned that he can see more clearly now. He also said before his accidently, he couldn't see nearly as well as he can now. Jason is very religious in his faith. He does know about seeing things with an eye of faith, not physical but spiritual. As we face life, it is important to stay grounded in the gospel and to have an eye of faith.
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