We hear the words, "Hold To The Rod." Which I envision a hand holding on to an iron rod while moving forward.
But what happens to the grip if you should happen to trip on an unforeseen rock or dip?
(did you like that rhymin'?)
But honestly. That grip MAY catch you, or you may unthinkingly let go to catch your fall.
What happens to that grip "when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo...?"
That simple- even steady- holding to the iron rod WILL NOT be enough.
What we should sing are the words "Clench your hands to the rod, the iron rod, as hard as you possibly can."
And teach them - everyone- to envision arms wrapped around this rod. Back bent, feet moving forward, eyes on the tree.
When we met with our Bishop, before we were married, we were given the advice to make each other- with Christ - our first priority. No matter how many or few children we had, my husband was to be my first priority. A triangle was drawn to show how we are working with Christ AND our spouse. I with Christ is Daniels first priority. And Daniel with Christ is my first priority.
I found this quote and I love it. Even though my first reaction as a wife may be to want Daniel to cling tightly to me, I know that in order for us to rise above, to endure through the rough waters of this life, we must cling to the Savior, cling to - as Nephi described- "the word of God."
When rough waters hit, I want my husband clinging to the Savior, so our children can cling to me, and I can cling to my husband, and he can lead us to safety.
