Random Thoughts...

I did not have the opportunity to hear the results of the election until I got to work this morning and could use the internet. How I managed to go 30 mins hearing people mention the election on the radio without disclosing results is beyond me. We'll get to that later though.

I had an interesting insight as I was driving home from Hopkins late last night. I was on autopilot, too tired to be thinking of anything really, when I rounded the bend on 495 where the temple comes into view. (I attached a photo for those who may not be familiar by this landmark.) I had forgotten how tall it stands above the trees; and contrasted with the black of night...it was awe-inspiring. I couldn't help but admire how tall and proud it stood, not caving or bowing to fit among the tree line. It is what it is, and won't be appear to be anything less. I began contemplating times where I have tried to give a different impression than what I really stand for in order to not draw so much attention to myself. (I have a bad habit to reflexively smile and nod(ish), then let them think what they will.) And I realized, I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to be special. I don't want to be the traffic that ebbs and flows on some random person's whim (have you ever thought about what causes traffic? Sure, it's due to a rapid increase of volume of cars, but peoples' speed, merging abilities, construction, lights, etc. all contribute...*ahem* but I digress). I want to be stalwart and reliable, not so easily forgotten. Much like the temple that stands as a reminder. It is noticed not because of flashy trends, and degrading morals. It is noticed because it is the same, it is always there no matter what is happening on the highway next to it. "...Know ye not that your body is the temple..." (1 Cor 6:19)? No matter what happens in the world around us, whatever darkness may pervade, we need to stand tall and stay true to ourselves. "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:14-16). 

I was dismayed to hear the results of the election. Hope that I had for the future diminished. The world is becoming worse and worse. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa 5:20). The world's ever changing definition of a family is just one part of it. It hurts my heart. People have lost the big picture, and it hurts-- it truly does. Not only with the family, but with what is going on around us in general. Night is closing in, and I know we live in the last days, so it's to be expected, but it's still scary.  I think of the light we can emanate, the beacon we are, much like the temple on the highway. It is encouraging to note that while darkness becomes stronger, the light becomes sharper. God is in control. What greater testament to that than the announcement made by the First Presidency last month? The number of missionaries is increasing significantly. What does that mean? The work continues to progress. Light is being spread. The way is being prepared to herald in the second coming of our Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ, the bridegroom (see Matt 25).

What an exciting time in which we live. :)