by Sherri Schatz
As I said in my last blog, my daughter got married last weekend ( the reason for the absence of my last two blogs…Mother of the Bride craziness). It turned out really great — just how she wanted it. I think I am recovering nicely.
I have several sets of scriptures around. One set sits by my bed, and some nights I get a lot of comfort from just keeping them open while I sleep. There’s a set in the studio where I work. Usually I keep scriptures in my car. Now, I don’t want to mislead you to think that I am nose-deep in the scriptures 24-7. Not nearly. But I need them when I need them! So, do you suppose it is merely coincidence that four different times in the last month, I have opened one set or another randomly to the same scripture? As a matter of fact one set of scriptures wasn’t even my own, but a set in the foyer of the temple.
The scripture is Mathew 5:22: “Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgment.” After a bit of research I learned that we are to omit WITHOUT A CAUSE. Shall I assume it also a coincidence that I may have a very personal life situation that could fit this particular scripture?
Now, for the most part I do not, in general, believe much in coincidence. I believe that Heavenly Father speaks to us in these so-called coincidences. I see many of them as tender mercies. I have randomly opened my own (and otherwise-owned) scriptures, to the exact same chapter, my eyes falling on the exact verse! Should I ignore this “random act of coincidence” or should I seek further light and knowledge? It is hard to seek, because sometimes we are afraid of what could be asked of us. We simply don’t want to do what’s next. I am choosing to do more research. I might find a loop hole big enough to slide through. Maybe I can think of good enough reasons to be angry with “my brother.” If I do decide to give up the anger, what next? I imagine I will be asked to pray for him. That’s easy; I’ve already been doing that.
But what next I wonder? Sometimes it is asked of us to “Be Still.” I’m kind of hoping that is the next stop for me.
Tags: anger, Matthew 5:22, scriptures