A Final Word on Our Voyage Crew . . . Perhaps!?!?!?

      So I think I included everyone who may end up on our crew, by choice or by blessing, so to speak! Again, some may and should always be a trusted faithful member of the crew and there will be some that will come and go because they have their own voyages to make. And some, although they should be true and faithful to our voyage, may not have the fortitude, courage, humility, or stick-to-itive-ness to do so! May each of us, as one of the main crew members never be one that is found less than honest, forthright and determined to make this voyage a success, even through all the rampant storms, long lulls, and smooth sailings! May I break that down just a bit!

     Again, those 4 main crew members, our Heavenly Father, our Heavenly Mother, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are crew members that we can count on always and forever. They will never step away from us! They may be silent as they think things through and plan things, BUT they are always right there beside, behind, or around us to help us! That I testify to and assure you it is true.

     So, why do we feel as if they have left our boat at times? The first and biggest reason we may feel this way is us! Sometimes we purposely turn out backs on them and their counsel because we think we know better. They ARE still near to us, but we have closed the door, so to speak, not wanting them in our lives because we are going to prove we can do this alone! There may be times, without our thinking about it, that we close the door to them because we make unrighteous choices! But if we will recognize those times and what we have done we can open that door again and know they are there just waiting for us to make that choice.  And sometimes they remain quiet because they know we will make the right choice and we need to learn to do that without their holding our hand. After all, a child never learns to walk if always holding a parents' hand!!! A parent is always there to pick  up a child and cheer them on even when they fall! Our top Four do the same for us. They may let us stumble and fall, but they are always near by to pick us up and cheer us on. BUT we need to remember that it is our choice, not theirs. We have to open the door and let them in by our attitude and actions!!! They only remain a part of our active crew at our continued invitations!!

     Of course, we are always a crew member and our voyage IS determined by us. We sail it one way or another for better or worse. After all this is our boat and our journey!

     The next crew member was that one we fell in love with and figured we would spend our entire voyage with because we trusted them with all our heart and soul.  And what a blessing it must be for those that do stick it out together through the storms, lulls, silent seas, and all. They learn and grow so much more because they know that someday things will be better eternally. And I truly applaud and respect such companionship! But sadly too many jump ship for whatever reason and break that eternal bond of love and companionship. And, granted, it DOES take both of the companionship to look at themselves and fix their problems. Blaming it on the other crew member is never going to fix anything. WE ALWAYS have to fix us first. There are several things that are common sense or old thoughts that point this out. Like flying on airplanes: if the oxygen is needed you put YOUR oxygen mask on first and then you will be capable of helping so many others especially those you love. Or the old saying, "When you point your finger at someone else there are 3 pointng back at you!" Any companionship can succeed, but it takes whole-hearted, sincere, determined effort from both crew members.

     And now those crew members who may come and go because this is really not their boat. That may be friends that come over to our boat to visit and perhaps they sail their boats nearby, but they do have to make their own voyages on their own boats. And those children who join your crew through your companionship? They will stay with you learning how to run their own boats until they decide they have to learn on their own. That is a natural part of life. They may come back and visit or we may visit them, but we each have our own boats to finish our voyage in! But we can always help and bless one another by positive caring attitudes!!!

     I hope this is clearer than mud, so to speak! And I hope and pray that each of us will keep those true and faithful crew members near to us so that as the end of the voyage we will be blessed with eternal peace and everlasting joy!!! AND the most marvelous eternal celestial boat we could ever dream of!!!