Nosey people must not read this...

I recently had the chance to visit Oxford again and was reminded how frustrating I find that city.  Don't get me wrong, I adore the place - its history and its architecture just hook me every time I visit, but a nosey person like me tends to feel thwarted and blocked at every corner.  You see there are inviting doors and alleyways like these:

There is loads to explore, but the problem is too many of them say ghastly, horrible things like 'Private', or 'Closed to Visitors' or 'Residents only'.    

Signs like that make it even worse for nosey folk like me.  That just makes me want to discover even more.  

I get a sense that the joy I get from seeing the external beauty of the place is just a mere scratch on the surface of what I could see if I could get behind closed doors.  Can you imagine the paintings, the furniture, the stories, the gardens, all just sitting there waiting for me to meet them. 

Maybe one day someone will phone me and announce that I have a key to the city of Oxford with the freedom to wander at will.  No porters to stop me, no door I cannot walk through.  Anyone?  Anyone?

Oh well.  

But luckily for me I do happen to have an insider who can get me access to some far better sights and sounds than an Oxford college or quadrangle.  He has told me that "whoso knocketh, to him will he open".  Although, I have to admit He does have some conditions.

and the wise , and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches - yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.  (2 Nephi 9:42)

Plus the good news is that my 'insider' is not exclusive to me.  Sadly, if you are anything like me, you will find the natural man  often forgets to knock.  I'm often so busy looking at all the outside stuff I forget about the treasures waiting for me inside.  

All things considered I doubt I'll ever get behind the closed doors of Oxford.  But... I have a bright hope and assurance that eternal doors are open to me if I just learn to do the appropriate knocking.

To sin or not to sin....

My parents reminded me this evening of one of my strategic childhood ploys to escape punishment.

As a young boy my parents used to encourage good behaviour by pointing to a framed picture of the Saviour and reminding me that Jesus was watching me.   My little brain registered that information, and when I'd done something naughty I went over to the picture frame and turned it round so Jesus could no longer watch me.   There, problem solved.  I could now do whatever I wanted.

The downside was my parents now had an instant bad behaviour alarm.  As soon as they saw the turned picture they knew I'd been up to no good.  I'm sure I could have got away with a lot more things if I'd caught on quicker.

Father Christmas or Superman?

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." Corrie Ten Boom

My son Jacob is a constant source of entertainment for us.  He was making his career choices a while ago.
"I want to be Sportacus, a dragon or Father Christmas" he declared.
Later on he decided he couldn't wear three costumes at once, so he was just going to be Santa.
I pointed out to him that this meant he would not get presents himself, but he was "okay" about that.

In his new upcoming role as seasonal gift giver he informed me that the reason they use reindeers is because the Elf cars break down.  I did not know that.  Amazing what you can learn from your little ones.

The day after these revelations he had obviously been giving other vocations some consideration since he came to us and said:  "I don't want to be Superman."
"Why?"
"I don't want to be on TV."

I have no real preference as to which career path he finally chooses.   I think being the father of Superman or Father Christmas is pretty cool.   Not too keen on the dragon one, but if that is what he really wants to do...

His future employment is an unknown right now.  His Choice to serve a mission, his choice to marry in the temple, his choice to stay faithful are all mysteries at this point in his young life.   But, now, right now, I can teach him to trust and to love his Heavenly Father and Saviour and  if he can grasp that I think he can take on anything (although I will insist he wears his underpants on the inside of his trousers).

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God

."  Corrie Ten Boom