Finding Light In The Darkness

Today, I started thinking about all the tender mercies which we have received due to this unemployment. Here are just a few from the list: We have never gone hungry. Until this month, we have been able to scrape together enough to pay our bills. I received a bus pass and was able to ride to work free, saving hundreds of dollars. None of our family members have gotten ill since the layoff! (Ironically, our only out-of-pocket medical expense turned out to be for the dog). Inspite of it all, we’ve kept our marriage strong, and celebrated 19 years. Due to all of our networking calls and emails, we have been able to reconnect with many dear friends we have “meant to call” for years, but never did, until now. This has resulted in many wonderful and joyful conversations. Since Mr. MoSop is job-hunting full-time from home, he has taken advantage of walking the dog each day which has resulted in some healthy weight loss (for him, and the dog). He has also been keeping the house clean, doing the laundry, and making dinner each day! (Mrs. MoSop would actually like to see that part continue!). We’ve been able to spend more time together as a family. In short, there have been many tender mercies, and great blessings included in our “Adventure” package.

Today, I read a talk by our dear past President Gordon B. Hinckley which has helped give me encouragement, and proper perspective:

“Long ago I worked for one of our railroads whose tracks threaded the passes through these western mountains. I frequently rode the trains. It was in the days when there were steam locomotives. Those great monsters of the rails were huge and fast and dangerous. I often wondered how the engineer dared the long journey through the night. Then I came to realize that it was not one long journey, but rather a constant continuation of a short journey. The engine had a powerful headlight that made bright the way for a distance of 400 or 500 yards. The engineer saw only that distance, and that was enough, because it was constantly before him all through the night into the dawn of the new day. The Lord has spoken of this process. He said:

“That which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:23–24).

“And so it is with our eternal journey. We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate that faith, we shall never walk in darkness.”

“…My call to you this morning is a call to faith, that faith which is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1), as Paul described it.

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Mr. MoSop and I have been chugging along our dark little stretch on our “railroad track of life”, reaching out into the unknown, and doing our best to hold onto faith. I want to express appreciation. I thank you for the many kind words, messages, and prayers which have been offered on our behalf. I thank you for reading my posts, even when I have gotten a little cranky and less-than-thankful. These things have been great additional tender mercies during our experience. We have never been alone. We know that there are people who care for us, and we know that God loves us. We know there is a reason for all things, and that some day we may know the reason for this interesting trial. We also know that faith casts away fear:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalms 27:1 

The Lord truly is our Light in the darkness! – MoSop

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Author Post-Script:

Life never ceases to amaze. As this post was being published, Mr. MoSop sent a text message. He has just been extended a job offer! The offer has come from a company he interviewed with several weeks ago. It was a position he had high hopes for at the time, but then nothing happened. We assumed they chose another candidate. Apparently, the position had not been filled after all!

Praise the Lord for His goodness, mercy and Light!

(and His sense of humor)