Thursday, January 15, 2009

Insights

One of the most surprising things I’ve discovered since my surgery is the way it has affected my scripture study. Since going through this experience with Grizelda, I see different things in the scriptures. It’s almost as if I’m reading them through new eyes. I see nuances and meanings I didn’t see before, and sometimes the difference is so dramatic it’s as if I’m reading the verses for the first time. It has been amazing.

This causes me to wonder if other experiences in my life have changed the way I read and I haven’t noticed it before. Maybe the other experiences weren’t as dramatic as this, so I didn’t notice much of a change. Perhaps this is part of the reason for our mortal trials and adversity. These things change us so that we see life differently and are able to gain more insights from the scriptures.

Whatever the reason, I like what is happening. I like the way something that I’ve read so many times can open up and teach me again and again and again. It is one of the miracles of life!

7 comments:

Mariah said...

I like this insight. I have noticed it myself in life. It's all part of the line upon line philosophy...you really are reading through new eyes. I think trials make us into better people (of course if we are faithful through them) and then we're ready for more insight & therefore see things we've never seen before :)

Wendi said...

I found that same thing happened to me on my mission, after my mission, after I got married, and after each of my children were born. It seemed like each new life stage brought with it new understanding. And new questions or problems that needed answering.

I've had difficulty focusing during this trial with my emotional health over the last year. But I'm going to renew my efforts and see if I can gain some new insight. In the meantime, I'm thankful to hear about your successes.

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Mariah, I hadn't connected this with line-upon-line, but you are right. That is exactly what it is. Thanks.

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Wendi, I can clearly see that I need to watch for this "phenomenon" in more areas of my life. Thanks, and good luck with your efforts!

Anonymous said...

Sherrie! You're amazing! Keep reading the scriptures. They are a great guide. Never stop praying either! To be honest with you, I've never read the scriptures all the way through. Haha. But you give me the inspiration to read them all the way through. I love you! I miss you.
Love
Aimee Vargas
(Elizabeth Vargas's daughter)

Sherrie Mills Johnson said...

Aimee, thanks for the comments. I sent you an email about your stories, but I haven't heard back from you. Did you get it? I hope you send me some to read.

Anonymous said...

You sent me an email? Hm... I have a Junk Mail folder, and I receive emails I don't know in there. Well, if you could, you coud try again. I'm sorry. I'll be more cautious of it Haha.