Galadriel explains that now that she passed the test of resisting the power of the ring she could retire feeling accomplished.
All weekend I heard things I thought that I would have like to have heard, and was given several opportunities to become, when I realized that was the wrong sort of success. It was all good things many of them things I ought to be entitled to. And I could even superstitiously believe everything was orchestrated to fit what I always felt I was lacking, but I realized quite quickly that actually the things I wanted were all vain ambitions, it is like realizing family is more important than any amount of money. Sure, I could have ANYTHING I decided, but that only makes deciding what was right even more important. I read a comment on Facebook about how each of us has an unlimited power in our hand, but we restrain ourselves because of the boundaries set by mortality. But. Honestly, if anyone believed in Jesus Christ, that He literally was a son of God, it is not a difficult thing to accept that we each are children of God and must have the same DNA and ability to perform miracles in his name. So, why don't we?
In recent events, I further realized that I was actually quite cared for. Infact, it becomes even more apparent during times I need the most and feel unable to accomplish a thing, sorta like that phrase, "Whenever a door closes a window somewhere else opens." So it has been countless times for me. This very time was only different in its magnitude. Frivolous struggles are just that. This was a very big one and as a door closed I realized a window that has ALWAYS been there, I just was not to the point where I had even considered windows as a viable means to liberation, thinking each door was my only option. One door that I had always hoped for, swung open wide, but I think of another scene from "Tess" where she escapes a fight by being rescued by her knight in shining armor. Like what are the odds? And how fortunate for her. Then, as she gallops off those who were going to deck her shrug it of by jokingly saying, "Out of the frying pan and into the fryer." What seemed a fortuitous rescue or opportunity ends up ruining her life, though she is unaware. That relates a bit to my situation, only through it, I was able to recognize that my hope solution was not actually the best solution and my choices were between good and better, so I chose better and instantly after choosing I said in my mind, "I passed". I knew that I had made the better choice and could at last feel good about my life, though that meant changing how I perceived things not necessarily how things were.
Lastly, I want to touch on what I found to be the most valuable lesson. It deals with having enough faith to move mountains which ought to be easy enough, the only reason it isn't is because we do not believe we can. I think of Joshua, and David, oh the list goes on and on. Mostly Joshua because that is who we are studying this week. He had to honestly believe that God would fight his battles, no one ever has doubted that God is able to bring the walls of Jericho down (as easily one could have said Goliath), but even the other spies that reported it was a terrifyingly impossible thing to conquer or subdue this people, Joshua had faith and saw things differently. Likewise, I often am reminded that I will have the things I need. But, believing that requires seeing things differently because the prevailing thoughts are that you only have the power to do things (be free) with money and a job. That is not a bad thought, sorry, Another OT idea, well we all can see what Sarah did when she doubted God could actually accomplish all he promised without her help. She believed his plan, but just had been conditioned to believe certain laws had to be adhered to. She was bare and so the only door she saw was opened the possibility of accomplishing that desirable end of having many children, through her hand maiden. That seems the only plausible thing to do, until we change our perspective to see other options like believing God could and would keep his own promises. I have to exercise similar faith in a blessing that I was given that pronounced my ability to accomplish ANYTHING I decide to accomplish. Only, it is important that I keep a broader perspective and do not get fooled into a short-term mindset. It is hard to believe, but this is true for any and all of us. We each have unlimited power and only need decide that we can and will accomplish a thing and it will be accomplished.
My oldest son said that to me, once I was thing him that I saw a castle in Ireland that I wanted, but would never have and he flatly told me that it could easily be mine if I decided that I wanted it, and that the only things that we do not achieve are the things we do not believe we could. I have one more such tale, though, I do not remover who told it. It was someone in Washington state, though. They were talking about the mailman delivering a letter. Like Schrodinger's cat, the letter was in the box, though no one could know that. He knew the letter was in his mailbox. I loved that story.... the way it ends is that the mail is received and handed out and he was given the letter.
But, um, yeah, Galadriel. She wanted that ring so badly, but she did not take it and it might not ever be known why she didn't. Like her, I didn't choose to do a thing that was totally a viable option that would lead to and end that I totally wanted. But, I chose correctly and the world may never understand how or why it was correct and I am ok with that.
