Looking Up
Looking Up
By McKell Jackson
We recently moved to a new home in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. It’s gorgeous here. Truly. I sometimes stop and feel my breath catch at the snowy peaks visible from my window. The windy road leading into town might be considered long, except for the scenery-- the beautiful trees, lakes, rivers, birds, and occasionally elk help the time fly by. My soul leaps with joy, and peace, and all the good things as my eyes feast on the BEAUTY!
But, there’s a flaw in this new setup. The road. A busy road, running right by our new home. Cars fly by at 60 mph. When we came to see this house for the first time, we actually assumed this wasn’t “the one,” purely because of that road. We have little ones, after all, and roads and children are not made for each other. But the Lord had other plans. He helped us to see the potential in this destination.
Now as I lay in bed at night, I listen to the steady rhythm of cars passing by (seriously, where is everyone headed so late?!). And I reflect on the Lord’s tender mercies. He led us here-- to the job my husband would enjoy. To a shorter trip to see family. To the people who have already served us so steadily and whom we hope to serve in return. To the beauty He knew would lift and inspire us. He gifted us this place.
Years ago during a General Conference of the church, Carl B. Cook shared the phrase "it is better to look up," a phrase he had been taught by our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Elder Cook went on to say, "If we . . . exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy. We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction."
I can choose to focus on the road, the major flaw in an otherwise quite perfect setup. Or I can pause and rest in His mercies. As the cars whiz by, I think of this world, the constant commotion. Turmoil. Unrest. The steady rhythm of worldly distractions and fluff. The thick of thin things. And I check my focus. I can lift my eyes to the peaks and beauty around me, to His plan, or be consumed by exhaust fumes and engine roars. Really, the choice is mine.
How to remain optimistic
