“Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day”
Last night was New Beginnings for our Young Women. We chose a nautical theme for the year, and last night we just went ahead and built a boat. It's pretty lucky that our Bishop is a boat builder by hobby. He had all sorts of anchors and compasses and maps and ship things that he was so excited to share. And then he built a boat.
If you couldn't tell, the boat sail also doubled as a projector screen, because why not? Other than, or maybe equal to the boat's coolness factor was the fact that these girls took complete control of the whole night. The girls conducted, the girls did special musical numbers, the girls presented the theme, and the motto and the Young Women values. These girls are absolutely incredible. I thought I was the bees knees when I was a Young Women, but let's face it. This generation is on a whole different level. They are strong and powerful and insightful and kind. They have mile long resumes (ALREADY). They have strong testimonies and they are good. They are so good.
Our Young Women president, Lisa (who is an exceptional friend and also happens to be my midwife so I try really hard not to think about everything she's seen when we're at church trying to be grown ups. I'm totally kidding, it doesn't bother me at all) presented the Theme for the year with a beautiful parallel: boats and our spiritual journey, or Embarking.
Boat: our testimony, our character
Safe harbor: our homes, church, families
Storms, wind and rain: trials, heartache
Light house: the temple
Anchor: "The Savior's hope is the anchor of my soul"
Her comparison of temples and lighthouses struck a chord with me. These sacred places of worship are literal lighthouses; whenever possible, set on a hill, brightly lit for all the world to see, places of safety in the storms of life. I loved all the imagery.
And then I started thinking about all of Jesus' miracles with water. Calming the sea, walking on water, saving Peter from unbelief, breaking nets with bounteous fishing...As I thought about what water meant in the Parable of Embarking, I realized that storms create opportunity. And that in every instance of watery miracles, He plucked perfection out of the midst of a figurative and sometimes even literal storm. I know He can see the perfect and the prospect in every storm, because He overcame them all.
I feel like I bring this up a lot. I must be slow to keep having the same realization so many times. It must be one of those lessons I really need! If so, I'll take it. It's an inspiring one.
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