Learning to Walk

Have you ever seen a child learning to walk?  They start out by holding on to everything.  They have to keep their hands on the walls, the furniture, their toys, and even their parents.  They will walk around the room, holding just one finger of your hand.  They are not completely holding on, but they are not quite ready to stand alone.  They keep working at it, and soon, they are toddling and than running down the hall.  Sometimes, especially when they are first learning, they fall.  They might get a few bumps or bruises, but they keep trying until they finally have it right.  Soon, they are walking much further and faster than you imagined they could.  And we rejoice in their efforts and accomplishments.   

Isaiah 43:1-3

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.

One time, when I was much younger, I was sitting in church and the teacher of the Gospel Doctrine class said that when we read the scriptures, in order to make them more personal, we should insert our own name into the passage.  This was the passage he used to make his point.

So, it is your turn to try.  Put your name in this scripture and hopefully, you will see and feel, as I do, that your Heavenly Father truly knows you and loves you.  He is mindful of you and also all your difficulties.  He will walk with us and guide us on our way.  He stands with us, much as we did when we were parenting our own children as they were learning to walk.  If we reach back, He will be there. 
I have a very good friend and we were discussing points of this doctrine earlier this week.  She brought up the point that Heavenly Father will actually give us more than we can possibly bear alone, but He will be there, walking with us, helping us through our difficulties and holding us up as we continue onward in our journey.

No matter what difficulties you are facing, take the time to turn toward Him.  Remember that the scriptures were written for us, today, in this time and place.  Make them personal to you.  He can and will answer your prayers.    I am sure that He too, rejoices in our efforts and our accomplishments.  And by the way, just in case you have forgotten, you are never, really, alone.