Paper Post from Mom July 9, 2015 -- Fully In

Dear Riley,

We’ve spent some time in the water this summer.  Only a little.  But it reminds me of a talk DK gave once in sacrament meeting.  He said he’s spent a good of time swimming especially as he got older as his preferred form of exercise.  He said that he had an epiphany once that helped his form dramatically.

Before he understood this simple principle, he spent a good deal of effort fighting the water, struggling against it to get across from side to side.  And then one day, he found himself really in the water, surrendered to it and at the same time supported by it.  He learned that letting himself work in the water was much more comfortable and enjoyable.

One of the images Bishop W used in working with members who weren’t fully in was that of a swimming pool.  He suggested people not wade into the water or sit on the edge with feet dangling in, but jump out into the deep end so far they’d have to swim to get back out.  

You see, the hope is that by swimming, they feel that simultaneous surrender and support.

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ requires a lot: three hours of Sunday worship, volunteer work in the week and on Sundays not in a position of election but appointment, significant financial donations, personal worship in the form of prayer, study, temple attendance, family worship in the form of scripture and prayer and FHE, family history research and recording, visiting teaching and home teaching each month, a monthly fast, Priesthood assignments like fast offerings and sacrament preparation and administration, and let’s not forget rule-bound missions.  Even sitting mostly in water but hanging onto the edge of the world, a member has much to learn and do, much exposure to good fruits.  But it seems to me that the jump out into the deep end, the immersion factor of membership, is the point when the struggle leaves and the support of the gospel lifts us on the water as we move through life.

I think you see many members struggling to fully jump in.  They have tasted enough to know the goodness and desirability of the promised fruit of the gospel.  But the firm terra cotta they have become accustomed to entices with familiarity and the promise of ease.  Yet we are God-designed for the struggle.

I have found this principle applies in almost any setting, not just the gospel.  Jumping fully in, not milling around the edges and fringes of life and activity, brings the most satisfaction.  I hope you’re stroking long, full strokes in your mission work.  It seems you are.

Love your companion, serve your people.  Find your swing.  And give yourself over to the work you are called to perform.

I love you,

Mom