The Fogs of Life

I have about a 20 mile drive from my home to drop my kids off at school and then a couple more miles to my office.  So I'm used to driving in all kinds of weather conditions... snow, rain, ice, sun, and, of course, fog.  Today was a fog day.

As I climbed into my car and began to drive, the fog was thick, low, and dark.  My visibility was about 25 feet.  I drove the mile up the dirt road and made it onto the highway.  I was nervous to pull out onto the highway with very little visibility, not knowing if a car would be coming at me from either direction at 65 miles per hour.  It was a little frightening, but I couldn't wait all day for the fog to clear.  I needed to get to work and the kids needed to get to school.  So I just had to gather my courage and get onto the highway and go.  

The fog remained low and dark like this for about five miles.  I don't like driving in thick, dark fog.  It scares me a little.  I'm always afraid I will not be able to see a hazard in the road or a car pulling out in front of me.  That five or so miles felt like a hundred.  I felt myself begin to panic a little on the inside, but managed to keep calm on the outside.  I didn't want to let the kids know that I was nervous.  I just kept reminding myself that it's only fog.  It will pass.  I will get through it, just like always.  Everything will be okay.

Soon enough, the fog lifted.  The clouds were still low and dark above me, but I could see the road again as well as miles around me.  I immediately felt the panic lift and relief envelop my body as I instantly relaxed.  Even though it was still dark and the clouds were low above me, I could see sunshine in the distance ahead.  After another five miles or so I was in the sunshine and the warmth instantly calmed me.  I felt happy and at peace.  

But then, as I drove into town, I was in the fog once again.  But it wasn't like the earlier fog.  This was a lighter fog and the rays of sunlight lit up the fog like a light bulb beneath a lamp shade.  The visibility was poor, but not quite so dense.  I felt a little claustrophobic, but not panicky like before.  This fog only lasted a mile or two and again lifted.  

As I drove I began to see how this is like the trials of life.  The trials are like the fog.  Sometimes they are dark and heavy.  They frighten us and cause us to panic.  They seem to last forever, no matter how long or short they really are.  We try to remain calm on the outside even though we are scared to death on the inside.  So we slow down a bit and keep moving forward as best we can, knowing that we cannot go back.  We can only go forward and hope the fog lifts soon.  Or we can pull over, stop, and wait for the fog to lift or for someone or something to guide us through.  But then we are not progressing.  We are just stalled, waiting, instead of moving forward through it.  We have to use wisdom to determine if it is better to stop and wait or to just keep pushing forward.  If we are lost in the fog, it might be best to call out and wait for help.  

Other times our trials are like the lighter fog... like a bump in the road.  They slow us down a bit, but they aren't as hard to endure.  But then we come out of the fog (our trial) and our line of vision once again comes into view.  We can see the road ahead.  It might still be dark for a little while, but soon enough the sun will be upon us again.  Hopefully we can recognize the sun when we get to it and be grateful for the breather we get from our trial, using that time to re-energize, refocus, and rest so that when we come to the next patch of fog we are prepared to face whatever comes.  It is a time to build up our reserves and strength. 

Life is full of symbolism.  Every aspect of life has something we can learn that brings us closer to our Creator...  Something to broaden our level of understanding...  The answers we seek as we strive to know our purpose in this life.  I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of God and his Plan for us.  I am grateful for modern revelation.  For experiences that open my mind and heart to all that He has in store for me.  I do not curse the fogs in my life.  It is because of the fog that I can truly enjoy and appreciate the warmth of the sun.