We talk a lot about the cow that jumped over the moon. But have you ever heard of the cow that tried to jump over the moon, but only made it halfway? What about him?
Sometimes in life I look so forward to a destination that I don’t appreciate the journey.
The cow that only made it halfway to the moon has a choice. He can only focus on having not made it over the moon. Or he can know that, having jumped so far, he still went higher than any cow in history. He surely jumped higher than he would have had he never tried! And he can keep improving until he makes it.
Seeing the good is a choice.
This has been relevant for me emotionally. When I’ve been discouraged, I can despair if I don’t feel better shortly after a prayer for hope. When I’ve been heartbroken, I can give up when my heart still hurts after pleading to be healed.
Or I can notice small progress. Sometimes success is just trying to move in the right direction. Sometimes it’s just the fact that I prayed, or that I reached out to friends and family for help. And I want to be happy for that :) Happy that I’m halfway (or one hundredth of the way) to the moon, rather than bitter that I’m not there.
For some reason Heavenly Father usually answers gradually.
Elder David A. Bednar taught:
The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45).
Reaching the parabolic moon can take a while… And I want to be grateful for every mile, foot, or inch in the right direction. Those small steps forward are evidence of God’s hand (HWN) in my life.
p.s. We got our family pictures from Christmas-time back :)
(p.p.s. Don’t you love how Christmas-time in California, looks like Fall in Utah? I didn’t miss the cold while I was there)
That’s a great picture of a cow!
Thanks, pixabay gets credit for that ;)
I’ve always enjoyed the journey, but also the destination. Especially, if traveling by train.
Nice :) Well put!
You said – “Sometimes in life I look so forward to a destination that I don’t appreciate the journey.” True of every human I know, including myself, lol! We don’t seem to understand that God is working all things out for our good and for His glory! :) ‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’ Romans 8:28
Well said :) Thanks for your thoughts and your testimony!