Protection from the Storms

 

We are in the middle of a winter storm, and today we headed out on a little family sledding adventure.  

We walked about a mile each way to a sledding hill, since travel was emergency personnel only. 

As we were walking through the beautiful frosted woods, my mind thought of the recent storm in the Northeast in which a college student had also been out walking and not much further, but ended up freezing to death. 

I thought about the boots, socks, snowpants, heated vest, hat, gloves, parka and hand warmers I was wearing and looked over at my daughter.  She was similarly outfitted.  

Even where the snow had fallen on her, the water proof gear kept her warm and dry. 

The other young man hadn't been properly prepared for the storm, wearing only jeans, a sweatshirt and tennis shoes.  When he got wet from the woods he was in, it chilled him too much and he wasn't able to survive.  I've been feeling anguish for his family and what must have been a difficult last few hours. 

I then wondered if I take the same effort to make sure we are spiritually fortified and prepared as we were physically to head out into the storm.  

I thought of this quote.  Elder LaGrand R Curtis shared it with some excellent advice.  "As many have said, “How could you dare send your children and parents out into the world without the protection of daily family prayer?” Wise parents will examine their schedules and plan at least one time daily to gather the family for the blessings of prayer. Very young members soon learn how to take their turn and learn the precious values of family prayer.

It's really a very simple thing- family prayer.  Yet as with so many aspects of the gospel, it's the simple things that it's easy to let go and the simple things that may in the end be the biggest of all.