All my children can swim now. It’s a refreshing place to be as a momma for those pool trips and vacations to the beach. My oldest two girls got lessons…more than they needed. But as I had more kids and my life got busier….swim lessons became extinct. Every kid has sat on the side or paddled on the stairs yearning to swim like everyone else…eventually they jump in. The first few times they sink to the bottom, giving a ready to help sibling the chance to rescue them. Soon they are doing their own form of doggy paddle. They couldn’t be happier, as they are finally apart of the action. In order to use the slides they must pass a swim test …which involves swimming across the pool and back without touching the bottom or the sides. I’ve been impressed with my youngsters, for the second they think they can “swim”, which is really them barely surviving, they are ready to take the test. It’s rather painful to watch them swim across and back. No one observing believes they can do it, but they do! They make it. Over that first summer of “swimming” it’s amazing how they improve. You would think they had lessons. By the end of summer they know how to freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke. It’s a combination of trial and error, and older siblings assisting. It’s been a beautiful process.
When Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave his swim analogy referring to “how to minister” it resonated with me as the perfect analogy to handling life. Especially those things that seem overwhelming or “I’m not sure how to do them”….like Genealogy. I’m sure we all have something that paralyzes us when we think about it. Our hearts are in the right place…we have the desire to do it…but we can’t get off the steps…with fear of failure. How will we ever keep from drowning. Right? Have you felt any of theses emotions? If we take our pool (thing that is overwhelming) and follow Holland’s advise…and JUMP IN!
We thank you for following our beloved prophet in this wonderful endeavor and suggest that you not wait for many more instructions. Just jump into the pool and swim. Head toward those in need. Don’t be immobilized wondering whether you should do the backstroke or the dog paddle. If we follow the basic principles that have been taught, stay aligned with priesthood keys, and seek the Holy Spirit to guide us, we cannot fail. -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland October 2018
We may sink…but we won’t drown. Soon we will be doggy paddling…flying down those slides. And within a few months we will be freestyle swimming helping others from the bottom of the pool! So my challenge to you…and to myself is to jump in, and enjoy the action. Let’s do it. Mines genealogy…yours may be come follow me, ministering, family prayer, daily scripture study, obeying the word of wisdom? Don’t worry if you have more then one…everyone does! That’s why there are so many styles of swimming…so we can slowly improve in lots of areas of our lives. It’s okay to mimic others who know what they are doing. Asking for help is also a great way to perfect the strokes. But we won’t get anywhere sitting on the side…thinking about doing it…wishing we were doing it! LET’S DIVE IN!!
“I’ve had to dive through many waves of uncertainty in the years since, but because of what the Spirit taught me early on about facing trials and questions, I’ve learned how to come up smiling in the other side. -anonymous
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