Good luck, Bad Luck? – Maybe.

I just read a story to my children the other day that had a couple of Zen proverbs as part of the tale. I was so struck by one of the stories, that I want to share it in light of all of the things that are happening in the world today, especially with the Supreme Court Ruling on President Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act.

It goes something like this:

There was once an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

“Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses.

“How wonderful!” the neighbors exclaimed.

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg.

The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune, “Such bad luck!” they said.

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by.

The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

“Maybe,” said the farmer.

Several years ago, I had a blessing. I don’t remember the particulars of what it was for, but I very clearly remember one part of the blessing. It stated that in the next few years leading up to the Second Coming of the Savior, I would see the hand of the Lord guiding, intervening, overruling, and overturning events on the earth. Since then, I’ve been trying to look at the big picture as things happen, always looking forward to the possible outcomes of those events, rather than getting caught-up with the emotions of the masses. In the past decade-plus there have been many moments that have made people say, “WHAT IS GOING ON????” Things that have been absolutely historic, devastating, and amazing but as I’ve looked at the results of some of those events, and tried to focus on the Plan of Salvation and the destiny of this earth, I’ve begun to say with the farmer, “Maybe.”

People all around are stating that things are good, or things are bad. They are trying to make sense of other’s thinking, of decisions, platforms, politics, and laws. I’m just trying to enjoy watching and seeing how God makes His arm bare in the face of all the Nations (see Isaiah 52:10). After all, He is the God of the Universe, we ought to give him some credit that He is able to do His work ( see 2 Nephi 27: 20, 23 and Moses 1:39).

Peace in Troubled Times

One of the greatest gifts that the Holy Ghost gives us in these last days is peace in the middle of chaos and trouble.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”    John 14: 27

I’ve been learning (over the past few years) that everything that gives me a feeling of physical safety (jobs, people, possessions) can be taken away.   When it’s all gone, I continue to exist.  The challenge then is how to rebuild?  We  must rebuild, because life will go on.

Look for a moment at nature.  It continues to build around everything in the way.  After a fire, a forest will re-seed.  When a road is built, the water runs off of the road and gives water to the vegitation that thrives at the edges of the concrete.

Heavenly Father is that way too.  He seems to be able to take every bad situation and make something better out of it.  This is a talent I am trying to aquire!