After reading Clancy Pants latest post my mind was brought back to a poem that President Hastings shared with us on our wedding day. While I was unable to locate this particular poem I did find something of great beauty that I would like to share!
"One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice --though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!"each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do --determined to save the only life you could save."
~ Mary Oliver ~
These words remind me of our journey here in this world. There are so many influences in this world putting us down. They tell us that we aren't good enough, that we are of little worth and that we don't matter. We become preoccupied with "things" and lose site. We allow ourselves to become stressed and overwhelemed. These are the voices of the world and they tug at us and weigh in our hearts. These subtles influences try to take us away from the things that matter most.
As we move forward and trust the one voice that matters, that of a loving Heavenly Father we have hope, we begin to more clearly see ourselves for who we are and we realize our own sense of purpose. The road still remains full of fallen branches and stones that serve as impediments in our path but we suddenly come to the realization that we are not alone, that we can overcome these obstacles and we can FEEL hope. More importantly we learn that we can help others and it is all part of the process, part of the journey.
As a mother never has all of this been more ciritical and I love it! I love living it and I love picking myself back up every time I stumble. I love watching the children. Their resilency, their strength and their desire to keep trying impresses so powerfully upon my heart. They truely are amazing and my greatest source of hope.
On the B side: I am so grateful for the the light that is shining brightly on my journey! Even during some of the darkest hours I have quietly been reminded and reassured of who I am, why I am here and what I need to do. "When dark clouds of trouble hang o'er us there is hope shining brightly" and yes the password is courage! xoxo
