DESIGNING CIRCLES
“So much of life is spent in the designing of circles. Many circles carefully keep other people out. There are private rooms and houses, private clubs and offices, private roads and beaches - all with the same message: Stay Out! Not that circles that keep others out don't have their place. We are all porcupines, and our quills are less troublesome if there is a little space around us.” (Author unknown)
But sometimes that “little space” around us becomes it’s own exclusive circle. Too often they are designed to accommodate those that are too busy, too proud, or too afraid to draw a circle bigger than themselves. Some circles with the best of intentions still draw lines at the edges of their own race, their own social and economic group, their own type or religion.
So Heavenly Father created the best designed of circles: family circles. They're characterized by their ability to link one expanding circle to another. Family circles have amazing powers of expansion. They are eternal in nature and are particularly designed to cultivate love and service. They try soooooo much harder than other circles, whose messages do often say "Stay Out".
Heavenly Father knew that in circling each other, some of us would become lost, discouraged, forgotten or overlooked. So He took the best designed of circles - family circles - and empowered them with prayer. These, now empowered family circles, have the strength to gather us in, regardless of who we've become or where we are. They are inclusive and flexible, to allow opportunities for repentance and forgiveness and hope for a better day. Their eternal nature makes it possible to send the spirit’s invitations to the lost, discouraged, forgotten or overlooked, saying, “come in, come back, you’re always welcome”. Designing Circles you see, is quite a serious matter for you and me – link in, I’m here for you, are you here for me?
1st paragraph (Author Unknown) – Remaining thoughts (Cynthia Carlsen)
