Musings

The lesson I am preparing for RS tomorrow is on the subject of agency.

The question of agency was the substance of the war in heaven.  We fought for the right to choose rather than be subject to force or coercion.  We applauded our victory at having chosen our path and rejoiced for a Savior appointed to reclaim us.

https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/know-this-that-every-soul-is-free?lang=eng

Know this, that ev'ry soul is free
To choose his life and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is giv'n:
That God will force no man to heav'n.
He'll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.


We enjoy this gift as we live our existence here on earth and wars continue here as we seek to maintain or restrict this privilege. 


I reflect on when our children were young, did I nurture choice?   
Now while they are in their teens, what do we battle over most? Choice. Agency.
There was a certain level of compelling involved in our authoritative parenting style. 
Why did we feel a need to be so authoritative?
The simple answer is because the nature of our coming to being parents as well as the beginning of our children's lives were so very chaotic.  I felt a strong need to create stability, predictability, and order in our home and family. The inflexible personality of some clashed with the extemporaneousness personalities of others. We strove to organize chaos with directive leadership due to variables not understood, and outcomes unpredictable.  


Thought break
My son is speaking to me as I type of something he is highly interested in, electronics.  One thought is fueling another with momentum, growing louder and faster in his utterances rapidly linking from one incomplete thought to another without pause...until I gently place my hands on his shoulders, look him the eye, and ask him to stop because I cannot process the information as quickly as he is delivering it...(beside which he lacks the capability to convert the ideas to actions). I struggle to lower my internal anxiety and angst without dampening his enthusiasm and drive that is so closely linked to his self-worth.

Checking back in -

By contrast, how does he do it?
How does HE, our Heavenly Father parent us? How does he manage, organize, calm, and love us with all our chaos, disobedience, defiance, cruelty, shortsightedness, and tunnel vision?
He calms, guides, persuades, encourages, leads, enlightens, expands...
How does He do that?
He knows. He knows the beginning from the end.  He knows us. our potential, our propensities, and our paths.  He knows the master plan. 
When I anticipate what lies ahead, I feel some anxiety.
When I know the path, I feel calm, reassured, and prepared.
HE knows, and that knowledge provides peace amid turbulence.
Hmm. I kind of veered from the subject of agency...