Never Forgotten

When I was young my family went on a trip to the zoo. I was so excited to see all the animals. I was especially excited when we came to the small habitat for the polar bears. I pressed myself up against the chain link fence and stretched my neck to get a better view of the bears.

The bears weren't doing anything too exciting, just wandering around their small surroundings, and we were all soon ready to pass on to the next exhibit of animals. Everyone began to walk away, and as I turned to follow I realized my jacket zipper was stuck on the fence! I tugged and pulled, but that jacket was determined to stay right where it was.

My family soon disappeared around the corner and I stood there, attached to the fence, and cried. My family had left me and I would never see them again, I just knew it! I continued to tug at my jacket, but the zipper wouldn't yield.

After about 5 minutes, my family came back by the polar bear exhibit, only too see me sobbing uncontrollably, still yanking at my stubborn jacket. My mother came and helped me unlatch myself, and wiped away my tears, assuring me I was not forgotten.

The Lord once asked a penetrating question: "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?" Then teaches us profoundly that "yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."(Isaiah 49:15-16)

Although mothers have busy moments where they may lose sight of a child, the Lord is always there with us. He was with me as I cried, stuck on the fence at the zoo, and that unyielding wall was "before [Him]" too. I know that He is with us. He can not forget us, nor will He ever. Our challenges are engraved on His hands.

...With Sharing

I recently watched as a group of little girls played together. One little girl had brought with her five Pretty Ponies, another had brought only her doll. I watched as all the Pretty Ponies were handed out so each little girl could play with one -- all but little Sydney and her doll.

Whenever a girl wanted to play with a different pony she'd yell "trade!" and snag one of the other girl's pony, swapping it for her own. I watched as on occasion a girl would want to trade Sydney a pony for her doll. Sydney would yell and run away. Slowly inching back she watched as the girls played with the ponies and continued to ask for a pony to play with. Sydney didn't understand why the girls wouldn't share the ponies, yet she guarded her doll closely so that no one else could play with it.

The doll turned into the most coveted toy, and the group of girls grew increasingly agitated as Sydney tried to snatch at their toys, but not even let them see the doll she held. Eventually Sydney was convinced to join the group by working with them, using her doll to in turn stroke the mane of each little girl's pony.

I see similar complications as many religions try to work together. We need to be open with sharing our beliefs and willing to lovingly care and understand the religion of others. Sydney was worried the group of girls would ruin her doll, as I think many of us worry that others will misunderstand and mock our testimonies.

The less Sydney wanted to show her doll the less the girls wanted to be nice and play with her. We shouldn't be ashamed of the beliefs we have. We need to be open in sharing our convictions and as we work with others, respecting their beliefs as well we can each grow closer as predominately Christian society.