Blind

Yesterday, I wrote about healing for some but not all. I'd like to explore that topic a bit more, in light of some recent family developments.

I just got off the phone with my mother. She was telling me about my uncle. This uncle is an artist. In fact, he was my art teacher for years, and taught me to see colors and love all kinds of art. He would rather paint than anything, practically, but he knew that he couldn't support a family that way. So for the last 30 years he has been a truck driver, a construction worker, and a substitute teacher--which, when added to the responsibilities of a family and church, leaves very little time for painting. His family is now mostly grown and moved out, and he finally has time and room to paint.

And he is going blind.

He's not completely blind yet, but he will be in a few years, and there's very little anyone can do about it.

So why, of all the people in the world, why him? Just when he's getting to the point where he can dedicate real time to his talents?

I'm slowly learning the reality of the words of the Savior "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal." (Matthew 6:19-20) The only true happiness in this life (and the one to come) is to have your heart's desires bound up in the Savior and His Plan of Happiness. It doesn't mean that I won't have times of sadness and sorrow, but it eases the sting of this mortal life.