tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post1558221588704645071..comments2023-09-05T20:54:42.242-04:00Comments on A Latter-day Voice: Turning from peacePaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-49651190185494376692013-04-23T11:20:33.394-04:002013-04-23T11:20:33.394-04:00Julia, I don't know the poet, but I suspect yo...Julia, I don't know the poet, but I suspect your reading is more in line with the original intent. But that fourth line of the first stanza allows me still to find solace when I turn away from the Lord (and others) in anger. And it is a relief to know His mercy allows me to come back.<br /><br />Over more than three decades of marriage, my lovely wife and I have learned a dance of forgiveness and mercy, of accommodation and giving. Ours is not a perfect marriage, but it's a remarkable one, for which I am ever grateful (since I seem to be the one requiring mercy so often). <br /><br />There is little doubt that spiritual memory, including either the direct influence of the Holy Ghost, or the memory of his influence, helps me to bridge that gap from drawing myself apart to reaching.<br /><br />I will say this (hoping to say it well): this reaching that my wife and I enjoy in our marriage works both ways. I doubt it would work if either of us demanded the other to reach alone. <br /><br />Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-84630383329040951642013-04-23T10:36:10.770-04:002013-04-23T10:36:10.770-04:00I haven't thought about this poem/hymn/scriptu...I haven't thought about this poem/hymn/scripture quite this way before. This hymn has always felt more like a psalm to me. Its reflection on the ways we feel *apart* and then search for ways to come back in line with the Savior, when *apartness* happens, has always seemed like it is plucked from psalms. <br /><br />I think it is beautiful to be able to see your wife and the Savior, reaching out with the same desire for onenes. In both cases, the Holy Ghost helps make that jump that allows us to leave *apart* and accept the offer to return. Most times, I find it easier to be the one reaching out, than the one accepting the reaching. Is that true for your experiences? <br /><br />Thanks for a beautiful morning thought. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13655197693521484077noreply@blogger.com