Today I found a random fortune cookie lying around Lindsay's kitchen.
I don't love fortune cookies, but I guess I was hungry or something because
I opened it up and nibbled on it.
But the best part was the fortune inside:
"You will move to a wonderful new home within the year."
Yes! How did it know? This is exactly what our family needs!!
Interestingly, I had just read in The Book Of Mormon one of the
shortest, if not the shortest scripture in the book;
"And my father dwelt in a tent" (1 Nephi 2:15)
referring to Nephi's father Lehi.
Dwelling in tents is referred to several times in the scriptures and
is oftentimes accompanied by some pretty epic and important revelations.
And even though I try my very hardest to control what happens to our family,
especially when it comes to where we live and the spiritual experiences
I can create in the homes that we live in,
I firmly believe that they will come to us when we are open and ready for them,
wherever and whatever that looks like- even in less than ideal situations.
(Like in a friend's basement, for example).
I don't know if Lehi and Nephi would have learned and received spiritual
instruction if they had been in their comfortable home in Jerusalem.
Maybe they would have, and maybe not.
But instead, they learned them living in tents in the desert.
I think the point is, whether we're in tents (or basements), we can have
spiritual experiences and deep learning moments together if we
are being obedient, keeping our promises to the Lord, praying, and pondering.
In our quest for a home for our family and when our efforts turn up
empty and discouraging, I try and remember that just maybe
the Lord is trying to teach me (our family) something while we are
homeless and dwelling in "a tent"
Maybe the Lord is teaching me something while we are homeless
that I wouldn't have learned any other way.
Whatever the reason, I believe Nephi added that six-word scripture reference
for a purpose, and that he thought it was worth it to add it in the story.
And those sacred words are keeping me afloat right now.
That, and the fortune cookie.
