Safe in the Harbor

A ship is safe in harbor - 

but that's not what ships are for.

-John A. Shedd

Safety, there is not one of us that doesn't crave it, that doesn't want it, that doesn't wish for it.  Safety from the storms of life is not just a wish, it is a need within each of our hearts, yet the Gospel of Jesus Christ never promises us safety.  It only promises us shelter.  We are meant to navigate the oceans of this life and experience the joy and opportunity of adventure.    We are not meant to shut ourselves away into the harbors. We are not meant to hide away from life.     
When I think about leaving the "safe harbors", I can't help but think about the pioneers and how they had to be willing to leave their own safe harbors and travel to the unknown.  They had to be willing to put aside everything that they knew and find themselves in a new place.  I think often of that, and what it would be like for me, today, to leave everything behind and just pack up my family and what we could fit in the car and travel somewhere new and start over.  What would it be like to leave my home, my town, my stuff.  To leave my piano and my books behind.  To travel into the great unknown.  
I have wondered if I could do it.  Sometimes, I think I could, and other times, I know that it would be difficult.  If I am honest, I really know that it would be difficult.  
I know that I too have been asked to leave the safe harbors in my life.  I had to leave the safety of marriage to become single again.  I had a blessing that promised me happiness, but I could not see it then.  
Today, married to a man who loves me, cherishes me, and cares about me, I can see that Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed.  It took a very long time for me to see that, but I have finally realized that the ocean of change is not entirely bad.  It can be scary, and the storms can totally turn me around, but change can also be an amazing chance to have a fresh start.  
When the hurricanes of life surround me, I know that I can find the lighthouse of the Gospel to direct me into the safe harbor.  I know that His lighthouse will never lead me astray.  I know that He will guide me Home at last.  And that home will be the only safe harbor that I will ever need.  


Safety
by Patricia A Pitterle


The lighthouse
Sits on the edge 
Of the high cliff,
Looking ever out to sea,
Away from the safe harbors
Of the shore.


In the daylight
It seems quiet
And all alone.
In the sunshine of day
You can not see 
The purpose of it's creation.


Yet, when darkness comes,
The lighthouse
Blossoms to life
With a vibrant beacon
That is visible 
For miles in any direction.


That radiant light
Keeps the ships at sea
Safe from the reefs
That lie in wait
To snare
The unwary vessel.


That wonderful light.
Reaches out with a 
strong, welcoming beam, 
And beckons, 
Each weary sailor, 
Home at last.




The lighthouse is 
Much like the Gospel
In our lives.
It warns us from 
The reefs of darkness
That beckon the unwary traveler.


It shines forth, 
brighter than the noonday sun,
With the teachings that 
We need to know
To avoid the pitfalls
That will find us on our journey. 


The Savior of this world
Has given us the Gospel
To be a beacon to us;
To act as a light in our lives
Guiding us toward the path
Of truth and right. 


Our testimonies
Of His eternal love
Remind us that 
In Him we are enough.
We can weather the storms 
and continue on.  


Safe in His harbor;
He welcomes us 
To everlasting life;
He guides us,
His Children,
Home at last.