There once was a man who had a dream that he was lost. As he wandered, trying to find his way back home through a dense, gray mist he became aware of an iron rod and he felt compelled to grab onto it. As soon as he did, his vision cleared. Looking around he observed that there were many fellow travelers who were lost as he had been. There were others moving along the rod as well. Some of those eventually let go and many of them were carried away and drowned in a muddy river that raged alongside the rod. This unbending, straight iron rod led to a beautiful fountain in a spacious field. Beside it was a tree. It was the most beautiful tree he had ever seen. In fact, it glowed! On it hung fruit that was so pure and white he could barely look at it. The man could not help himself. He just had to pluck some of that luscious fruit and take a bite.
It was the sweetest, most delicious food he had ever tasted. Immediately, he had an overwhelming desire for his entire family to come to this tree and partake of its miraculous fruit.
As he looked around, he noticed a huge, spacious building on the other side of the muddy river. It was a very handsome mansion and there was a grand party going on inside. The man observed that the occupants were dressed in expensive, fine clothes. Amazingly enough they only seemed to be obsessed with one activity: doing whatever they could to move people away from the tree. They were pointing their fingers at the people eating the fruit of the tree and were actively taunting and mocking them. Sadly, some of those who had been eagerly feasting on the fruit, suddenly became ashamed because of the the taunts and jeers of those in the huge, spacious building and they let go of the iron rod, left the tree and attempted to move toward the raucous crowd.
But, alas, it seemed that the building and all those in it were merely a mirage. No-one ever seemed to reach it and for those who foolishly made the futile attempt, there was no grand party for them as they were either swallowed up and carried off by the raging, muddy river or lost in strange, forbidden paths in the murky mist.
Desperately, the man scanned the multitudes of people for his own family. There they were! With a loud cry, the man beckoned for them to join him at the glowing tree and once they arrived
he eagerly encouraged them to partake of the delicious fruit. What joy he felt as some of them did so and were also filled with immense joy. What frustration and sadness he felt when some refused to even approach the tree and what anguish he felt when some chose to leave after having once experienced the joy of partaking of the fruit. Had he done enough to persuade them to come to the tree? Had he nurtured them with enough fruit once they arrived at the tree? Had he been enthusiastic enough about the fruit he had eaten and its affect upon him? He exerted even more efforts to get his entire family to make their way to the tree and to remain there, nourished by an unending supply of fruit. After what seemed an eternity, some did return. Tragically, some never did...
In previous posts on this blog we have been discussing the Seven Wonders:
Courage, Faith, Truth, Compassion,Friendship, Family, and Common Sense.
I believe the above story comprises all of those qualities. Those of you who are LDS or have attended the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, NY will recognize the story as based on Lehi’s Dream in the Book of Mormon. However, the application of this dream is universal. In fact, artwork from many cultures and nations depict such Trees.
What would the Iron Rod, Tree and Fruit represent for you in your life? The Dark Mists, Muddy River, Forbidden Paths, Great and Spacious Building? What is it in your life that you are allowing to block your path; preventing you from moving toward your divinely chosen Assignments and Life Mission? Who is mocking you and your decisions, pointing their finger, telling you that you are wrong and making you feel ashamed to be expressing your True Self ie your God given talents, attributes and natural Charity toward your fellow beings? Why are you heeding them? What false beliefs about yourself, your potential, your worth are causing you to stagnate, clouding your vision of what is most important, what is true, what you need to be doing and where you need to go?
For me and those of my Faith, the tree represents the Tree of Life and its Fruit is God’s Love which sheds itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; which also makes it the most desirable above all things and the most joyous to the Soul. The Iron Rod is the Truth of God’s Word that safely leads us in that narrow, straight path toward the Fountain of Living Waters(the Gospel of Christ) and the Love of our Heavenly Father. The Mists of Darkness and Muddy River represent the mess we get ourselves into when we get distracted by worldly concerns, fall into errors by following the False Precepts of Men, or succumb to Temptations, Addictions, Pride, or even plain Apathy and either never reach the Tree and partake of its Fruit or fail to continue to comply with that Truth. The spacious building and mocking people represent the Pride of the world at large; those who would mock sacred things and lead God’s children away from the simple, plain truths that bring them joy and fulfillment in their lives as they serve God by serving others.
I have been thinking a great deal about the Tree of Life and my level of Love & Compassion for my fellow beings. I have a great desire to love as God loves. To not be petty or self-serving in any way. Alas, I have many weaknesses and fail miserably at times in this endeavor. I am judgemental, critical, impatient, lazy, prideful. I struggle to forgive offenses, imagined or real. I struggle to forgive myself. Yet, I can honestly declare that I have feasted at the Tree of Life and have tasted of this Fruit, if only a nibble at a time. It is a wonderful feeling to possess even the tiniest portion of God’s love. When I choose the path of forgiveness and compassion my whole world is full of more Light and Energy. My burdens do not seem so heavy. I do at times love deeply. Being a mom has flooded my heart with God’s love in a profound way. Being married has tested and stretched my ability to love and forgive. The Book of Mormon defines charity as the “pure love of Christ”. The LDS Relief Society( the world’s oldest and largest organization of women)uses the Biblical motto: Charity never faileth. It is only when we give up that we do not succeed. I have drunk from that bitter cup more than once in my life and have also drunk from the bitter cup of others giving up on me.
Recently, I have had some choice experiences with forgiving others and asking for their forgiveness. It was very humbling for me and healing for all concerned. I am learning that it matters not who is right, what the offense was or by whose hand the blow is dealt or even how often the offense has occurred. Owning up to my responsibility for my choices and saving the relationship when possible is what is most paramount.
So, am I saying that if you are in a situation where you or others are being abused or mistreated and your lives or well-being are at stake that you continue to allow that? That is where the attribute of Common Sense comes in to play. Prayerfully decide what your boundaries of safety need to be with the toxic people in your life. Then take steps to discover and rid your life of whatever has or could put you and your loved ones in a similar situation of risk, meanwhile remaining open to adapt and adjust those safety nets when and if they ever make the choice to grow and change in positive ways. If you must break off a relationship, you can choose to leave the situation with honor. To take the high road by exercising long-suffering, patience, mercy, and charity.
Have no illusions - this will not be easy! It takes great Courage and Integrity. I confess I did not always take the high road in the past and still fail to do so at times. Yet, I have discovered that beginning the long, winding process of forgiving both others and myself for my part in any conflicts has allowed me to move on with my life, unfettered by bitterness, remorse, guilt, shame and other ill feelings that only impede my happiness and ability to fully embrace life. I have learned not to ”punish” in word or deed those who have offended me by refusing to embarrass, gossip about, or speak harshly to them. In short, I make the choice to continue to love and honor them and whatever the nature of our relationship has been in the past, even if it needs to be from a safe distance.
I have found that my job is not to be their judge and jury. My job is to forgive(which is a monumental enough task in itself) and to trust that God’s divine balance of Justice and Mercy will prevail. My job is to accept whatever that looks like, even when all current evidence seems contrary to what my wisdom would dictate, if I were “King of the Forest”.
My concern must be to love others as I would have them love me, especially when I really, really screw up. My task is to continue to plead and pray for their Greater Good, their Ultimate Salvation, their Return to the Tree; meanwhile taking necessary measures to ensure my and others’ welfare within my circles of influence and then to “let go and let God” take over.
Yesterday in Sunday School we discussed the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Laborers in the Vineyard. In both stories there were people who were upset at the Father/Lord’s generosity and lack of “fairness”. They seemed to be operating from the viewpoint of temporary scarcity rather than eternal abundance and comparing their rewards to what others were receiving based on righteous or not-so-righteous choices and “hours” of labor in the Lord’s Vineyard.
When the father in the parable of the prodigal son lovingly explains to the son who has always been faithful to him that he has no need to be jealous of the lavish banquet thrown for the returned prodigal because “...all that I have is [already]thine”, I am reminded of my own shameful display of pride and competitiveness once while playing the board game, “Settlers of Zarahemlah”. “Why is everyone picking on me”??!!! I pouted. My husband is still hysterical about the fact I was so caught up in feeling sorry for myself that I had not even realized I was winning the game! OUCH.
Perhaps it is world events that appear to be the fulfilling of ancient prophecies unfolding right before my eyes or perhaps my personal development has just been a bit too poky for too long. I have been working on my character defects for many years with various levels of success. As I have stated in earlier posts, I tend to crawl at a tortoise’s pace. Lately though, I feel God strongly urging me to get my House in order in every respect: spiritually, physically, financially and to do it NOW. No excuses, no whining, no more procrastination. TUH-DAY, Sonia!
When I pause to look back, I am relieved to see progress, to see how far I have come on my journey. Some thorns in my side that were very painful afflictions have been completely eliminated and others for the most part neutralized. This gives me Hope and the strength to hold tight to the Iron Rod and continue to move toward that Tree of Life and feast on its Fruit as often as possible.
So where are you on your Path toward your Tree of Life and the Fruit that will bring you the most Joy and Satisfaction in your life?
May you have the tenacity to seek out your Iron Rod if you are currently wandering in “strange roads” that are not leading to your True Destination and then to stubbornly hang on once you find it and make your way to whatever your True Purpose will be in this life.
God Bless Us Every One,
Sonia
It was the sweetest, most delicious food he had ever tasted. Immediately, he had an overwhelming desire for his entire family to come to this tree and partake of its miraculous fruit.
As he looked around, he noticed a huge, spacious building on the other side of the muddy river. It was a very handsome mansion and there was a grand party going on inside. The man observed that the occupants were dressed in expensive, fine clothes. Amazingly enough they only seemed to be obsessed with one activity: doing whatever they could to move people away from the tree. They were pointing their fingers at the people eating the fruit of the tree and were actively taunting and mocking them. Sadly, some of those who had been eagerly feasting on the fruit, suddenly became ashamed because of the the taunts and jeers of those in the huge, spacious building and they let go of the iron rod, left the tree and attempted to move toward the raucous crowd.
But, alas, it seemed that the building and all those in it were merely a mirage. No-one ever seemed to reach it and for those who foolishly made the futile attempt, there was no grand party for them as they were either swallowed up and carried off by the raging, muddy river or lost in strange, forbidden paths in the murky mist.
Desperately, the man scanned the multitudes of people for his own family. There they were! With a loud cry, the man beckoned for them to join him at the glowing tree and once they arrived
he eagerly encouraged them to partake of the delicious fruit. What joy he felt as some of them did so and were also filled with immense joy. What frustration and sadness he felt when some refused to even approach the tree and what anguish he felt when some chose to leave after having once experienced the joy of partaking of the fruit. Had he done enough to persuade them to come to the tree? Had he nurtured them with enough fruit once they arrived at the tree? Had he been enthusiastic enough about the fruit he had eaten and its affect upon him? He exerted even more efforts to get his entire family to make their way to the tree and to remain there, nourished by an unending supply of fruit. After what seemed an eternity, some did return. Tragically, some never did...
In previous posts on this blog we have been discussing the Seven Wonders:
Courage, Faith, Truth, Compassion,Friendship, Family, and Common Sense.
I believe the above story comprises all of those qualities. Those of you who are LDS or have attended the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, NY will recognize the story as based on Lehi’s Dream in the Book of Mormon. However, the application of this dream is universal. In fact, artwork from many cultures and nations depict such Trees.
What would the Iron Rod, Tree and Fruit represent for you in your life? The Dark Mists, Muddy River, Forbidden Paths, Great and Spacious Building? What is it in your life that you are allowing to block your path; preventing you from moving toward your divinely chosen Assignments and Life Mission? Who is mocking you and your decisions, pointing their finger, telling you that you are wrong and making you feel ashamed to be expressing your True Self ie your God given talents, attributes and natural Charity toward your fellow beings? Why are you heeding them? What false beliefs about yourself, your potential, your worth are causing you to stagnate, clouding your vision of what is most important, what is true, what you need to be doing and where you need to go?
For me and those of my Faith, the tree represents the Tree of Life and its Fruit is God’s Love which sheds itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; which also makes it the most desirable above all things and the most joyous to the Soul. The Iron Rod is the Truth of God’s Word that safely leads us in that narrow, straight path toward the Fountain of Living Waters(the Gospel of Christ) and the Love of our Heavenly Father. The Mists of Darkness and Muddy River represent the mess we get ourselves into when we get distracted by worldly concerns, fall into errors by following the False Precepts of Men, or succumb to Temptations, Addictions, Pride, or even plain Apathy and either never reach the Tree and partake of its Fruit or fail to continue to comply with that Truth. The spacious building and mocking people represent the Pride of the world at large; those who would mock sacred things and lead God’s children away from the simple, plain truths that bring them joy and fulfillment in their lives as they serve God by serving others.
I have been thinking a great deal about the Tree of Life and my level of Love & Compassion for my fellow beings. I have a great desire to love as God loves. To not be petty or self-serving in any way. Alas, I have many weaknesses and fail miserably at times in this endeavor. I am judgemental, critical, impatient, lazy, prideful. I struggle to forgive offenses, imagined or real. I struggle to forgive myself. Yet, I can honestly declare that I have feasted at the Tree of Life and have tasted of this Fruit, if only a nibble at a time. It is a wonderful feeling to possess even the tiniest portion of God’s love. When I choose the path of forgiveness and compassion my whole world is full of more Light and Energy. My burdens do not seem so heavy. I do at times love deeply. Being a mom has flooded my heart with God’s love in a profound way. Being married has tested and stretched my ability to love and forgive. The Book of Mormon defines charity as the “pure love of Christ”. The LDS Relief Society( the world’s oldest and largest organization of women)uses the Biblical motto: Charity never faileth. It is only when we give up that we do not succeed. I have drunk from that bitter cup more than once in my life and have also drunk from the bitter cup of others giving up on me.
Recently, I have had some choice experiences with forgiving others and asking for their forgiveness. It was very humbling for me and healing for all concerned. I am learning that it matters not who is right, what the offense was or by whose hand the blow is dealt or even how often the offense has occurred. Owning up to my responsibility for my choices and saving the relationship when possible is what is most paramount.
So, am I saying that if you are in a situation where you or others are being abused or mistreated and your lives or well-being are at stake that you continue to allow that? That is where the attribute of Common Sense comes in to play. Prayerfully decide what your boundaries of safety need to be with the toxic people in your life. Then take steps to discover and rid your life of whatever has or could put you and your loved ones in a similar situation of risk, meanwhile remaining open to adapt and adjust those safety nets when and if they ever make the choice to grow and change in positive ways. If you must break off a relationship, you can choose to leave the situation with honor. To take the high road by exercising long-suffering, patience, mercy, and charity.
Have no illusions - this will not be easy! It takes great Courage and Integrity. I confess I did not always take the high road in the past and still fail to do so at times. Yet, I have discovered that beginning the long, winding process of forgiving both others and myself for my part in any conflicts has allowed me to move on with my life, unfettered by bitterness, remorse, guilt, shame and other ill feelings that only impede my happiness and ability to fully embrace life. I have learned not to ”punish” in word or deed those who have offended me by refusing to embarrass, gossip about, or speak harshly to them. In short, I make the choice to continue to love and honor them and whatever the nature of our relationship has been in the past, even if it needs to be from a safe distance.
I have found that my job is not to be their judge and jury. My job is to forgive(which is a monumental enough task in itself) and to trust that God’s divine balance of Justice and Mercy will prevail. My job is to accept whatever that looks like, even when all current evidence seems contrary to what my wisdom would dictate, if I were “King of the Forest”.
My concern must be to love others as I would have them love me, especially when I really, really screw up. My task is to continue to plead and pray for their Greater Good, their Ultimate Salvation, their Return to the Tree; meanwhile taking necessary measures to ensure my and others’ welfare within my circles of influence and then to “let go and let God” take over.
Yesterday in Sunday School we discussed the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Laborers in the Vineyard. In both stories there were people who were upset at the Father/Lord’s generosity and lack of “fairness”. They seemed to be operating from the viewpoint of temporary scarcity rather than eternal abundance and comparing their rewards to what others were receiving based on righteous or not-so-righteous choices and “hours” of labor in the Lord’s Vineyard.
When the father in the parable of the prodigal son lovingly explains to the son who has always been faithful to him that he has no need to be jealous of the lavish banquet thrown for the returned prodigal because “...all that I have is [already]thine”, I am reminded of my own shameful display of pride and competitiveness once while playing the board game, “Settlers of Zarahemlah”. “Why is everyone picking on me”??!!! I pouted. My husband is still hysterical about the fact I was so caught up in feeling sorry for myself that I had not even realized I was winning the game! OUCH.
Perhaps it is world events that appear to be the fulfilling of ancient prophecies unfolding right before my eyes or perhaps my personal development has just been a bit too poky for too long. I have been working on my character defects for many years with various levels of success. As I have stated in earlier posts, I tend to crawl at a tortoise’s pace. Lately though, I feel God strongly urging me to get my House in order in every respect: spiritually, physically, financially and to do it NOW. No excuses, no whining, no more procrastination. TUH-DAY, Sonia!
When I pause to look back, I am relieved to see progress, to see how far I have come on my journey. Some thorns in my side that were very painful afflictions have been completely eliminated and others for the most part neutralized. This gives me Hope and the strength to hold tight to the Iron Rod and continue to move toward that Tree of Life and feast on its Fruit as often as possible.
So where are you on your Path toward your Tree of Life and the Fruit that will bring you the most Joy and Satisfaction in your life?
May you have the tenacity to seek out your Iron Rod if you are currently wandering in “strange roads” that are not leading to your True Destination and then to stubbornly hang on once you find it and make your way to whatever your True Purpose will be in this life.
God Bless Us Every One,
Sonia
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