Seeing Through Heaven’s Eyes

It never gets easier being a parent. You know the saying, “The older I get the less I know”? Yep, I’ve officially reached that stage of life. It’s humbling. For example, technology.

New programs and devices are being released so rapidly I can’t keep up even knowing about all of them let alone knowing how to use them! I haven’t even begun to explore all of the features, apps and functions on my new phone (ok, I actually got the phone in July, so I guess it’s not considered ‘new’ anymore). I’ve just been told there’s even more functions available to use than I thought! And, just when I think I’ve mastered some new internet skill and I’m feeling so proud of myself, inevitably my 19-year-old points out the ten completely unnecessary steps I could have eliminated.

Don’t even get me started on parenting skills! Just when I thought I had begun figuring out the ‘teenager stage’ and really learning how to navigate those raging waters they went and floated out into the ocean of young adulthood. My children are both now legally adults, but emotionally and financially dependent. They need a great deal of guidance and advice but have outgrown my current version of guidance and advice. I need a “Mom upgrade”!

So yes, “The older I get the less I know“.

However, with age comes experience, and with experience comes the opportunity to have wisdom. I think I can honestly say “The older I get, the more confident I feel about not needing to know everything.” 

“Not knowing” can be really scary. Knowledge is power, right? Lack of knowledge can make you feel powerless and vulnerable. But, remembering that there is always Someone who does know more and that I can ask for help takes some of the pressure off. Just knowing how or where to find the answers is very empowering. And trusting that the answers will come, as they always have in the past, is comforting.

“For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.” – 2 Nephi 28:30

More than ever before I believe that true wisdom is not measured by the amount of knowledge we can gain, but by the level of faith we can maintain.

When the storms of life roll in, will I have maintained my spiritual roots deep enough to keep me from blowing over? Will I choose to trust in the Master of earth and sky to see me safely through the Tempest?

When I find myself going through a difficult time, it’s comforting to remember that our Heavenly Father knows and loves each of his  children perfectly and He does not abandon us. He’s still there, even when we feel so alone. In fact, He’s probably hovering as close as He possibly can without impeding our ability to learn how to crawl and walk. How does He do it, knowing we are headed straight for disaster, danger, falls, bruising, and sorrow – sometimes even the very jaws of Hell and deepest pain and misery? And yet knowing that we must be given the chance to learn and grow.

When we are hurting and frightened it’s so easy to get angry and cry out “Why is this terrible thing happening?” “Why would a loving God ever let this happen to His child?”

A friend who’s son is struggling with severe depression shared the following beautiful thought with me in an email that really touched my soul:

“My son asks me “why?” often .  . . There is no answer to “why?” except “why not?”.  This earth life is a test, and anything and everything gets thrown at us, and at everyone else too, sooner or later.  I tell him the question to ask is not “why” but “how”.  How can I live so that I give glory to God, so that I uplift others, so that I make the best of my situation.” – Diane

Wow.

Diane is a truly great and wise woman because she is filled with great reserves of faith. She has learned that she doesn’t need to have all the right answers, she simply seeks to ask the right questions, and to see her trials through spiritual eyes. I’m trying hard to become more like her.

Here is one of my favorite singers, Brian Stokes Mitchell, performing one of my favorite inspirational songs “Through Heaven’s Eyes“.

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