"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Monday, April 14, 2008

The Perfect Choice


Yesterday in church we were discussing Adam and the fall. Someone commented that Adam made the choice to disobey. The teacher then asked, "Was it a bad choice?". "Because" she said "I think it was the perfect choice!"

That got my wheels a turn'n. We have been taught to "liken the scriptures unto us". Could the bad choices we make be part of the plan? Would our Heavenly Father only set up this scenario once? And if so, why would it be important that we know about it? Hmmm it makes me wonder.

My son Jordan is in the process of figuring things out for himself. He is not sure of what he believes and has made a few choices that have been difficult for me to accept. Have some of his choices been bad? Absolutely! Will there be consequences? Of course, just as there were for Adam and Eve. But, could they be the perfect choices for him? I don't know! I have never really thought about it in this way. I wish I could see the bigger picture. I guess that only time will tell. It is an interesting concept.

This I do know. He is a wonderful young man and I know that he will accomplish great things in his life. He is talented and loving and I am grateful that I was chosen to be his mom.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

As I read your blog I realize your family has what a lot don't. You all love each other. You enjoy each other. You allow your kids to make their own choices, good or bad, and that will give them more sense of self and finding true joy in this world than just about anything else out there. I would have given anything as a kid to have had parents who gave me the self worth and assurance that you give yours.

Are You Serious! said...

♥ That's so hard! I only have pretty young kids so don't have to deal with the BIG decisions yet. It's a little scarry to think about! :)

Erin said...

Jordan will figure out who he is. He is such a good kid, he just needs some time to find out what's really important to him. I have full faith in him! He will accomplish great things- I know it! I just love him so much! He is in our prayers daily!

An Ordinary Mom said...

This line of thinking always gets my head going in circles, too. I have yet to figure out what I think, but I appreciate this post :) !!

SuperCoolMom said...

Stinkin' free agency. It makes life so hard for us sometimes! But some of us (me included) just need to learn for ourselves. It's obvious that you've taught him the way he should go, hopefully after he's tried other things, he won't depart from it.

Several in my family had to learn the hard way. For some it took just a couple of tries for others it took years. But, we've all come back to the truth.

Be strong, be patient, be there when he's ready to talk. I'm sure he'll be fine.

Grammy Staffy said...

I love you dear and I love Jordan. I have faith and confidence in both of you. Jordan is my sweet, first born grandchild. He always treats me with love and respect. I prayer for him throughout each day. I believe he will find himself and make good choices for his future. He is a great kid and as they say,"Apples don't fall far from the tree." You and Dathan have set a great example for him. He will be o.k. I love you.

Scrappy said...

Hmm. That really is something to think about. I was home with sick kiddos on Sunday so it was nice to have a little lesson from your blog to think about throughout the week... Thanks!
Oh, and thanks for the nice comment on my blog the other day!

bows and more said...

Sometimes we have to let our children touch the hot stove to know it is HOT! I did not always make the right choices either, and as I look back I have no regrets because I learned!I also grew a stronger appreciation for our savior and the atonement. We are all here to learn. Some of us have to learn the hard way. I am afraid that I have a few that will have to learn that way! He sure is handsome and looks like he is such a sweet kid! I appreciated your insight on making bad choices, it really is something to think about. Take care

Corey and Susie said...

Jordan is a great kid! For some people choices in life come easy, others struggle to stay on the path. I have learned this by watching my own brother make poor decisions. Thanks to the atonement, it doesnt matter how many mistakes we make, all that matters is that we learn from each one and try to be better. Jordan is lucky he has such great parents to love and support him during this time...He'll come around!

Danielle Christiansen said...

sometimes I wish I could tell my kids a way to be and they would always follow what I say, but Then what would they learn for themselves? Would they even grow?
Love your insight on the matter.

Lisa Cannon said...

I am glad that my kids are still little and I make most of their decisions. I don't think I'll ever be ready for teenagers and the crazy decisions that they make. I know...I was one once!

Rachel said...

that is such an interesting concept to me as well.. I was watching Oprah (what a cliche, I know) and she had a guest who had been severely addicted drugs but had changed his life and was trying to help others do the same. She asked him if he regretted it, and he said taht all of those poor choices brought him to where he was.

THis does not make Adam's choice okay as it was still a sin, but as you mentioned, it was neccessary for salvation.

Agency is tough.

Randi said...

One of my daughters is going through something similar. It's just so hard for everyone involved. I know it's true that Heavenly Father knows what choices we will make, and that all things will work together for our good. I'm sure He has set it up to give her (and Jordan) every chance to come back.

But I agree, it's so hard to look at it from this angle, and not be able to see the bigger picture.
(I guess that's why they call it faith...)

Misty said...

What came to mind was the beautiful quote you have posted right there on your blog:

"In my ninety-plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out!"
~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

Easier said then done, eh?

Ice Cream said...

This is a good way to look at it. And sometimes the choices we make are not only for ourselves, but for others. I know that the choices of my siblings have been a test for me and my ability to love them as Christ does no matter what. Your son is lucky to be in a loving family who it willing to see beyond personal actions and into the worth of the soul.

Ellie McFreaken said...

I think it is a good thing that he is going to think for himself. Many times adults stop and realize they never asked the questions themselves and have always relied on their parents. He will be a strong individual for thinking on his own. NO child is perfect and making mistakes or wrong choices is all about learning. You are a great Mom and I bet he will come to you when he really needs questions anwswered or problems solved.

Ellie McFreaken said...

Lynell...I was just reading down other posts and I just wanted to say that what a great way to honor our kids by blogging about them. I always feel guilty doing this but I am learning so much from oth Moms and seeing these other amazing kids makes me think the world isn't so bad afterall.
Someday our kids will read about all the love and concern we had for them.....

KATE said...

You're such a sweet Mom! I can't even imagine how hard it would be to have to watch them make those life altering choices. I have a hard time letting my little ones pick out their own socks. I guess I have A LOT to learn over the next 10 years or so...

I can't say it wouldn't be so hard to be the mom, but I can say that I was definitely one who went my own way and figured things out for my own & I do believe that for me, I had to go thru the things I did to make it back to where I needed to be. I got married in the Temple & we now have 4 beautiful babies. It will work out, whether it's the way you thought or not. It will work out.
Hang in there!!