Fish Tailing

A couple of weeks ago I was on my way home with my daughter who was driving. We were on a gravel road which had some pretty pronounced grooves in it and the gravel in between was deep. At one point a little gopher hopped up out of the ditch and ran across the road as we approached. My daughter has a definite distaste for gophers, and she immediately swerved to hit the gopher which put her into a very deep, thick gravel. Immediately the car began to fishtail and I could see her foot going for the brake. I calmly stated, "Do not brake," and then I put my hand on the wheel and helped her stear as we went back-and-forth being pulled by the gravel. As the car slowed, control was regained and we were able to continue on without incident. She thanked me and I could tell she meant it, for there had been a moment of fear there when she had felt the car being taken from her control as the driver. I know that she learned a valuable lesson that will serve her well when she is driving on her own in the future.

In the time that has followed I have thought about this experience. Driving on a gravel road can be related to life. Sometimes we get distracted and we veer off the proven path and suddenly find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, fish tailing uncontrollably. We no longer know how to respond to the situations or circumstances that we find ourselves in. And quite often there is fear in our hearts as we wonder how we can possibly get our lives under control and get back on the path that will take us to the destination we seek. Listening to those we trust can really help us in these times of uncertainty. Just as my daughter listened to me, and allowed me to help her we must be willing to listen to our Savior, Jesus Christ and his prophets who are upon the earth, teaching and guiding us with His words, even the words of eternal life. We also find this direction in the holy Scriptures, and I know that as we pray about the things we read that the Holy Ghost will testify to our souls of the truth and that we will also receive revelation, personal revelation, that will guide us back to the path as we make the necessary changes in our lives that are required of us. 

By focussing on the Saviour of this world, we exercise faith rather than fear. This is essential for our progress toward God. Those little gophers may manifest in many different ways. They may be distractions. They maybe pressures, deadlines, attitudes, and even beliefs. But anything that takes us away from the Savior, Jesus Christ, can cause fishtailing and requires a course correction. I am so grateful for the stabilizing influence of my Redeemer. Just as my daughter and I felt calm and peaceful as the car came under control, Jesus Christ can bring peace to our hearts as we seek Him. I am so grateful for the joy this knowledge of brings to me. I have been blessed to feel of His peace, even in those times when life seems to be fishtailing uncontrollably, He has been there for me. Because of His presence and guidance, I am able to hang on without panicking and hitting the brakes and I know that I am carefully guided and assisted back toward the path that will lead me to the destination, the Eternal destination which I seek.