"Don't get close to the edge Ford. You're gonna fall off."
"But.. what if I get close to the edge and I don't fall"
"But what if you do?"
"Then that would be really bad. It would really hurt."
. . .
I've had the special blessing of working and interacting with so many wonderful people throughout my life--all of whom have taught me great lessons. Yet some of the most rewarding life lessons I've learned these past 8 months have been from having conversations with a a very kind (and sometimes sassy) four year old.
Too often I, like Ford, find myself getting too comfortable with life and end up riding my scooter too close to the edge, thinking that all I need is some good balance to stay on. The thing I often forget though, is that I am so incredibly human (and also quite possibly the clumsiest person around) that I simply cannot ride close to the edge expecting to stay on firm and strong. It's just not guaranteed to happen. What is guaranteed--more often than not--is that I will fall right smack in the middle unto my knees.
To be quite honest I have fallen more times than I can count or even wish to admit. The type of fall that just leaves you bruised and scratched as you sit on the cold ground trying to make sense of what exactly just happened. It's this type of fall that I strongly believe is the greatest of them all because it forces something out of you. It forces you to get back up and call for help. To reach up and allow yourself to surrender to The One that loves you more than you could possibly imagine.
. . .
After reflecting over this past General Conference (click here to view the talks that were given or if you would like to learn more about the LDS aka Mormon church click on this link) I couldn't help but remember Ford's words to me "but what if I get close to the edge and I don't fall?"
But why risk it? Why do so many of us risk riding close to edge? Why do so many of us risk falling?
While watching conference it hit me--falling allows one to realizing that we all need Jesus Christ. We need Him who fills all the gaps in all of our lives. We need Him who brings us closer to the Father. We are constantly counseled not to ride close to the edge because the scratches and bruises are painful and sometimes hard to recover from. But the falling is sometimes necessary for us to realize the importance of what Elder Holland said during this past General Conference:
"Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. [Because] Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."
Heaven is cheering YOU on. How wonderful it is to know that we are not alone in this life or in any falls we may have. My heart truly rejoices in knowing we have a loving Savior that fills the gaps in our lives when we fall short.
I guess what I'm really trying to say to you, my reader, is to not get discouraged. To always keep walking even if the bruises on your knees make it painful to do so. To move forward with love and hope that there are good days ahead and that you have SO many people cheering you on. You better believe I am going to be in your corner cheering for you but more importantly please know that our Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ, our Savior, are there for you every step of the way.
