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I just wanted to share. Our high school has an end of the year art show where the best work of the students is displayed around the building. It’s kind of cool, actually. This one stood out to me (it was pen and ink, antiqued): If you get through the night the day will be brighter. I know it’s nothing special by itself, and if I didn’t know the kid I probably would have just thought “meh” and moved on (as I did with many others). This kid lives in my neighborhood. Four years ago he was a heroin addict. He once was arrested on his way to school with a gun after threatening a teacher. He spent time in jail and rehab. He came back to school as a senior, joined the wrestling team (where he did well), and is a straight A student. He’s a really nice kid who speaks to everyone in the hall and is one of the most respectful kids I know. I heard him say to his dad one time “I wonder what I could have been.” If you get through the night the day will be brighter. I find it interesting how we can have moments of inspiration. Sometimes they come with complete surprise. A good work of art, an oil painting, a musical performance, a conversation, a memory from our past that reoccurs.
For me, it is usually a lesson being taught by life or God that I needed to see or hear or experience at a special
moment in time. A moment that I was completely not expecting. Yet, there it is.
Then there are other times that I’ve been completely self absorbed when I could of missed the lesson all together.
Life is interesting.
Wonderful post. Thank you.
Minyan Man wrote:I find it interesting how we can have moments of inspiration. Sometimes they come with complete surprise.
A good work of art, an oil painting, a musical performance, a conversation, a memory from our past that reoccurs.
For me, it is usually a lesson being taught by life or God that I needed to see or hear or experience at a special
moment in time. A moment that I was completely not expecting. Yet, there it is.
Then there are other times that I’ve been completely self absorbed when I could of missed the lesson all together.
Life is interesting.
It was totally random and unexpected, MM. I was bored and waiting and I was just browsing some of the stuff, and as you say there it was. The first thing that popped into my head after seeing it and the artist’s name was “That kid knows what he’s talking about.” He has probably had nights where he didn’t know if he was going to make it, or where he woke up the next day feeling like “Wow, I’m alive.” As I have thought about it over the past day (I like to ponder things), I realized that one of my criticisms of individuals and leaders in the church during the deepest part of my faith crisis was they don’t know what they’re talking about. That is for example, because their prayers have always been answered they think that everybody’s prayers are always answered. They think that if I state my prayers are not being answered it’s because I don’t have enough faith or I don’t pray the right way or I don’t like the answer or whatever – even if I had poured out my soul many times. They fail to recognize the words of the Savior on the cross: “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?” or Joseph’s Smith’s plea in Liberty Jail. Because they have never felt the heavens closed, they think it can’t happen – but the heavens can close and they don’t know what they’re talking about. This kid knows what he’s talking about. If God ever spoke to me, He spoke to me yesterday – in a way He knew I would understand.
DJ – this makes me cry. Why do I keep crying at threads here. I am so glad you found inspiration, especially from a soul who knows dark nights. Thank you also for sharing it. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s like passing a candle or passing the light from one candle to the next.
Your post reminded me of a time when I thought no light would ever shine, and at the deep dark hour of three o’clock in the morning I remember hearing the words, “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” I was sitting next to an incubator watching my preemie son fight to live. 24 hours earlier another defect was found. I was spent, he needed to turn a corner, and nothing but a miracle could help. At that time I remember wondering if I was just making up or grabbing for aphorisms just to help me face the pain. I fell asleep at 5. At 6 they woke me to tell me he had been breathing on his own for the past hour. My story turned out good.
I know others, even on this forum who haven’t had the light after the dark. I wish I had words for that. On a faith transition level I keep wondering what the light looks like because some days are still really black.
Thanks for this. I needed the reminder that rehab can and does help. Keeps me optimistic about someone I love.
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