** DAY 45 -- Be As Tevya - No Waiting for Your Ticket To Be Called

In the Fiddler on the Roof, the main man Tevya was always pausing in  his life and looking upward, and then carrying on a conversation with Father.  I saw that movie first when I was a young man.  I remember questioning, and then admiring him as he was talking with Father.  He could be anywhere, doing anything, and he would talk with Father in Heaven.  I remember thinking when I was about 15 that I wanted to do that.  I wanted to be in any position, anywhere and be able to talk with Father in Heaven. 

When one is communicating with someone, it is always better communication when you know that the one being talked to is there and is listening.  I remember once when younger than I am now, (course that could mean yesterday as well as 60 years ago) I remember thinking that my prayers were written down by the angels and they sort of took a number, sort of like what you do when waiting for service.  As your number came up, then Father would look at your prayer and decide whether he wanted to answer or not. 

Of course as I have listened to our apostles of these days, they bear witness that Father is constantly with us.  He is watching over every event, every action, every trial, and every blessing we receive.  He is as close to us as possible for it is His work and glory to bring to pass our mortality and Eternal Life of you and me. 

Often we do not really believe, or live as though He is that close.  In fact most of the time, we do not consider how close our Father is.  We act as if He is far away, that we are actually taking a number to await His attention and his listening to our concerns.

But in reality, He is as close as Tevya believed. At any time during the day or night, we could glance upward and speak with our loving Father.  We could and should ask Him, thank Him and express our appreciation for His love, His care, and His protection.

Of course some will question, "Why did this or that happen if He is always there?"  We also need to remember that "...all these things give thee experience."  He IS in charge, but also knows that trials, challenges, and obstacles will teach us, help us grow, and improve our faith in Him.

"Would it spoil some vast Eternal Plan if...."  (Taken from words spoken by Tevya...) He will walk with us as we are serving Him in the Dominican Republic, but He is walking with us today just as much as we prepare to go and serve.