I heard a very interesting talk on that topic many years ago, a few months after I returned from my mission. It was in the Provo Tabernacle, so it was probably a stake conference. I don't remember who the speaker was, but he used the analogy of the Disney movie Sleeping Beauty (which, being the Disneyphile that I am, is probably a big part of the reason why I remember it all these years later). He was speaking to a college-age crowd, so when he spoke of making decisions and creating lives for ourselves, he mostly meant finding a career and a spouse. In an ironic twist of fate, I didn't do either at the usual time, but during my 42nd year I'll have to consider both. Speaking of ironic, or Ironic: "... and who would have thought it figurrrrrrres?" =P
Anyway ... the speaker's main point was that sometimes we are meant to be Prince Philip, hacking our way through thorn bushes and slaying dragons.
But sometimes, we are meant to be Sleeping Beauty, waiting patiently for events to unfold (of course, she had it easy when it comes to patience--the girl was asleep!!). He made it clear that it wasn't a gender issue, it was specific to each individual and each individual circumstance. Moreover, the Lord might challenge us at times by asking us to play the role that goes against our grain.
So today, I've been looking back through my life and the major decisions that have shaped it ... the correct ones as well as the mistakes. And although I try to fight it at times--generally to my detriment--the fact is that I am a total Sleeping Beauty.
Which means that the majority of the time, things just happen for me. All I have to do is exercise faith (easy) and patience (not-so-easy).
Perfect example: two blog posts ago. I was wondering aloud (or in print, rather) how my inner Prince Philip should pick up his sword. How do I create something of these next few weeks or months that will be productive both for myself and, ideally, for others? That was my main concern -- how to do good, how to create happiness even when my life isn't exactly a bed of roses. Avoid just treading water, and avoid losing my mind. =)
But there were two other issues on my mind. I didn't want to be greedy, I know that we can't have everything we want in life. Still ... I wanted them. One was to get to Provo on a semi-regular basis, but how do I do that when my budget is so tight and gas is so expensive? The other was my biggest non-spiritual goal for the next three months: getting into shape. Losing weight in a healthy way is not cheap. I wanted to figure out a way to do it anyway, but that would cut into my budget even further--is that really a justifiable expense at the moment?
Hence the blog post, and the question ... what should I do? Well, as it turns out, what I needed to do was wait. A few hours, in this case. Literally. I don't know what was going through the mind of the Prince Philip in question, or if he had any idea that he was answering my prayers (hmmm ... maybe I should ask him!). Regardless ... voila ... my first, second and third desires. Check. AND, totally and completely Sleeping Beauty. It didn't even cross my mind, while in sword-slinging mode, that this would be the solution. Talk about your safety nets, and your tender mercies. =)
Of course, this isn't technically Chapter III. As I said while concluding my married-Lisa blog, "We will now have a brief intermission between acts II and III of Lisa's Life." Still, it's me moving forward, and it's me being watched over, and it rocks. =)
I've also been reminded in the process of looking back that, very often, when I need to look at things differently in order to recognize the Lord's direction in my life, I just wake up one day with different desires. The strongest example by far was the day I decided that I wanted to be a full-time stepmom. I was seeking a man who had full custody of his kids. Logically speaking, this was sheer insanity. Kids are the number one reason why second marriages fail. But it was unquestionably the desire of my heart, it had the divine stamp of approval, and it led me to my husband. So, who knows ... sometime in the next few months, I might suddenly decide that I want to move to Wisconsin, or learn Farsi, or become a professional trapeze artist. If I do, please don't check me into a mental health facility. =)
And, when I do have to get all Prince Philip and hack through a thorn bush or two, the Lord tends to make it very clear. Very, unmistakably, burning-bush clear. Serve a mission ... move across the country ... marry Robert ... divorce Robert.
So ... there you have it. Sleeping Beauty, productive intermissions, Chapter III, and why I have it much MORE than "pretty darn good." =)
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