Today we had a great lesson in Sunday School...we have a GREAT teacher (Bill Ostheimer) and I have been thinking about a statement he quoted from President Hunter. I thought I would share it here with some of my thoughts.....
"Our detours and disappointments are OUR straight and narrow path unto Him."
Now I realize this thought is not earth shattering, but it has made me think a lot about our choices and how much and what we have control over.... and what we don't. It has also made we consider what I DO with the disappointments or detours I experience in my life. "Trial and tribulations" is a phrase we hear often, and as we sometimes do, it just rolls off our tongue and into our thoughts without much THOUGHT. I was intrigued by "detours and disappointments". Detour, by definition, indicates another route, a different road, not necessarily a wrong route or road. Sometimes we equate a "different" path to the "wrong" path. It also goes along with judging others, standing back and making observations, not allowing ourselves to be more open to "options" either for ourselves or others. Along this line, another thought....do we create our own detours or disappointments in life because we are NOT more open to these options?
Disapppointments, now that's a whole other thought....In my life, it seems my greatest "disappointments" have come when MY expectations of someone or someone's actions have not lived up to what I thought it should. It does not seem very often that people go out of their way to "disappoint" either themselves or someone else. It ususally comes in the form of pre-set expectations. On the other hand, I love it when people rise above themselves or what their personal expectations are.....we continually suprise ourselves that way! That is the fun, wonderful, happy part of "detours and disappointments".
But to know these bumps in the road bring us closer to our Father in Heaven, in fact are our "path unto Him" makes them a bit easier to bear and encouragement to change directions, if need be. Maybe these difficult times are not by accident or chance..........they may not look "straight", but they are own personal footprint in our world to return to Him.
Well I have rambled enough, I just wanted to share my Ahhhhhhhhh moment and think out loud for a bit. Any observations and comments are welcome! Have a great Sunday.
4 comments:
Very neat comments mom. He put that wonderfully. I firmly believe that out "detours" are often Father in Heavens way of getting us back on track, and helping us find paths that are better for us that we just couldn't or wouldn't see before. And being open to learn the hard lessons that sometimes accompany the detours and dissapointments, can and will strengthen us. thanks for always being so wise and for being brave and sharing it with us!
Thanks for sharing. I always seem to have that empty spot the week after I miss church but reading your post gave me something to think about.
Hey, thanks for the Christmas Card, it directed me here. I too appreciated the thoughts you shared. We are speaking on not judging this next Sunday. . .may use that quote!!!
Speaking of Mexico. . .what does May 17th look like for you? We have a time share in Rocky Point for a week. We've invited kids to come down for parts of the week. The unit sleeps 8. Rocky Point is 3 hours out of PHX so not QUITE the trainride from last time.
our blogspot is leighandjoyce.blogspot.com
You guys have fun in Israel. . .we will do Mexico again soon. . .Maybe Randy and Pam can join us.
We will be up running the Snake River out of Jackson the end of July. .. Always room for a couple of more folks. . . .give it a thought.
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