While talking to one of my daughters the other day about a topic that I felt strongly about, I repeatedly told her how she was feeling and what she was thinking. Typing this it sounds ridiculous, although it’s actually rather common in the communication traditions of our society. Even if we don’t voice those feelings, how often do we assume we know what’s going on in others lives and heads, jumping to conclusions? She stopped me and explained, “Mom, if you want to listen, you have to listen to me instead of telling me what I am thinking and feeling.” Made sense to me, and so I set aside my preconceived ideas and listened. It’s amazing what we can learn about our children if we will sincerely listen. I am thankful for the gentle teaching moments that my children give me. Slowly, they help me to be a better and better mom.
“In these last days it is essential–even critical–that parents and children listen to and learn from one another.” -M. Russell Ballard
As I contemplated this concept as absolutely true, I thought about our Heavenly Father. How desperate he is to have us listen with sincere hearts. He wants us to set aside our preconceived ideas, and listens to what he has to say. I can only imagine the immense amount of wisdom he has to bestow upon us if we will but listen.
“I think God knows something we don’t–things that are beyond our capacity to comprehend! Our Father in Heaven is an eternal being whose experience, wisdom, and intelligence are infinitely greater than ours. Not only that, but He is also eternally loving, compassionate, and focused on one blessed goal: to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.
In other words, He not only knows what is best for you; He also anxiously wants you to choose what is best for you.
If you believe this in your hearts–if you truly believe the great mission of our Heavenly Father is to exalt and glorify His children and that He knows best how to do it–doesn’t it make sense to embrace and follow His commandments, even the ones that appear difficult? Should we not cherish the light posts He has given that guide us through the darkness and the trials of mortality? They mark the way back to our heavenly home! By choosing Heavenly Father’s path, you lay a divine foundation for your personal progress as a [child] of God that will bless you throughout your life.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
When I think about the infinite wisdom that God has to offer, I am once more brought to compare it to parenting. I definitely feel that I have a lot to offer my children for I have walked where they are currently walking. I have experienced much of what they are experiencing, yet my own wisdom is a mere 30 years senior to that of my children’s wisdom. Heavenly Father has sent and guided (those that would listen), some 60 billion children over 6,000+years, in addition to his endless knowledge that he has acquired throughout eternity. He’s not inhibited by a veil of forgetfulness as we are, nor by the shallow visions of mortality. He can clearly see all, and is willing to guide us step by step through life. Why would we ever want to do it alone?
“God whose nature is ineffable, who exists in all points of time, and whose wisdom is infinite.” (Clarke, Bible Commentary, 3:208.) -Old Testament Student Manual
-Sherri Jorgensen
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